Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (2024)

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Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (1)

A refreshing summer drink made with ouzo and lemonade

Ούζο λεμονάδα. Let’s all raise a glass to Billie’s Koumbara Georgia. Several years ago, during a summer get together, Georgia served a pitcher filled with ούζο λεμονάδα or ouzo lemonade. She made it simply, with a good quality store-bought lemonade and a generous glug of ouzo. Stir, serve over ice, and marvel at the simple things in life.

Since then ouzo lemonade has become a staple during the warm weather months. It is refreshing, tart and sweet in the way that ouzo is. We like to keep this drink as simple as Koumbara Georgia did; the only way we dress it up is by adding a sprig of either mint or rosemary (our preference) to help stir the drink and add an extra layer of flavour. So go ahead, pour yourself a glass of ouzo lemonade and cheers to family, friends and Koumbara Georgia!

Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (2)

Helpful hints

What is ouzo?

Ouzo is an anise flavoured liquor made from grape must (what is left over from making wine) that was first commercially distilled in 1856.. In order for it to be called ouzo, it must be made in either Greece or Cyprus as it is PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication). For these reasons, and that fact that it is so beloved, ouzo is often referred to as the national drink of Greece.

The anise flavour (like black licorice) is quite strong and so ouzo does take some getting used to. It is usually served straight or neat, or diluted in water. When the clear ouzo is diluted in water the drink becomes an opaque white colour. Occasionally ouzo is served over ice.

What is the alcohol content of ouzo?

Most varieties of ouzo fall at around 80 proof, meaning that 40% of the liquid is alcohol. Although this is less than more potent alcohols like certain whiskey and rum, the high sugar content of ouzo requires careful attention! The sugar will delay the release of alcohol into the blood stream and so a few drinks of ouzo lemonade can really catch up to you if you’re not careful. Please, as always, drink responsibly.

Store bought versus homemade lemonade

Sure, you can squeeze your own lemons and make your own lemonade (we’ve done that too and show you how in our post on rose flavoured lemonade), but sometimes simple is fine. You can easily purchase a good quality lemonade and use that! We do, and it’s delicious.

How to sweeten your ouzo lemonade

We don’t add any sweetener to our ouzo lemonade, but the tartness of your lemonade may vary. If you would like your drink a little sweeter, add one teaspoon at a time of simple syrup and adjust to taste. Making simple syrup is super simple – we always have a small jar in the fridge and use it to sweeten ice tea, co*cktails and cold coffee.

Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (3)

To make simple syrup:

  • Combine equal parts water and sugar in a pot.
  • Bring to a boil and stir until the sugar melts
  • Transfer to a glass jar or container and allow to cool
  • Store in refrigerator for 2 to 3 weeks.
  • (Because it is so easy to make, we make small batches of simple syrup often, so that it stays fresh)

What to serve with your ouzo lemonade

Ouzo is so popular in Greece that there are taverns referred to as ouzeries, or ouzo bars, where varieties of ouzo are consumed happily accompanied by several varieties of mezes (small appetizers). If you want to recreate an ouzerie at home, consider serving our ouzo lemonade (although truth be told purists would object to ouzo being served in a co*cktail of any sort) with these amazing Greek mezedes:

Loukaniko with kefalotyri

Meatballs (Κεφτέδες)

Shrimp saganaki (Γαρίδες σαγανάκι)

Pork fillet appetizer (Χοιρινό φιλέτο μεζέ)

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Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (4)

Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (5)

Ouzo lemonade

A refreshing summer drink made with ouzo and lemonade

5 from 2 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Greek

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 drink

Calories: 248kcal

Author: Mia Kouppa

Ingredients

  • 1 fluid ounce ouzo
  • 12 fluid ounces lemonade see Recipe Note
  • 4-5 ice cubes

For garnish

  • 1 lemon slice
  • 1 sprig rosemary or fresh mint

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Place your ice in a tall glass and pour the ouzo and lemonade over it. Use a stir stick to mix. Garnish with lemon slice and / or rosemary sprig if desired.

    1 fluid ounce ouzo, 12 fluid ounces lemonade, 4-5 ice cubes, 1 sprig rosemary or fresh mint, 1 lemon slice

  • Cheers, and Enjoy!

Notes

Although you can make homemade lemonade for this drink, we use a good quality store-bought lemonade for convenience.

Nutrition

Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Sodium: 26mg | Potassium: 1mg | Sugar: 42g | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

Ouzo lemonade - Mia Kouppa, Traditional Greek recipes and more (2024)

FAQs

How is ouzo traditionally served? ›

The proper way of serving is to first add the ouzo to the glass, then add cold water and, if desired, add ice.

What do you mix ouzo with? ›

Mix a little ouzo, the Greek anise-flavored liqueur, with some lemon juice, ice, honey, and fresh mint, and you have a refreshing ouzo drink to enjoy with your favorite mezze. You'll love this simple Greek-style co*cktail!

Is ouzo stronger than vodka? ›

It also has a relatively high alcohol content of somewhere between 37.5 (the mandatory ABV to call it an “ouzo” in Greece) and 50%. For reference, vodka and gin usually sit at about 40% ABV, so ouzo can be a heavy hitter if you don't know what to expect.

What is the best ouzo in Greece? ›

Ouzo Plomari is the best tasting Ouzo in the world due to it's quality ingredients. It is the #1 selling Ouzo in Greece, the home of Ouzo!

How do the Greeks drink ouzo? ›

Ouzo is usually mixed with water, becoming cloudy white, sometimes with a faint blue tinge, and served with ice cubes in a small glass.

What do Greeks say when drinking ouzo? ›

Talk like an expert: Toasting is a big part of Greek drinking culture, but don't say “opa!” when you're served ouzo. Instead, say “yamas!” which more accurately means cheers (but literally translates to “health”).

Can you drink straight ouzo? ›

Ouzo is often enjoyed 'neat', however it is commonly served with ice, with a dash of water, or both.

What is the signature Greek drink? ›

Ouzo. If you desire the best Greek drinks, the national drink is where you should start. Ouzo is typically consumed before a meal as an aperitif or after a meal as a digestif. Ouzo has a distinct licorice flavor and is similar to absinthe.

Does ouzo go bad after opening? ›

How long does ouzo last? The short answer is, forever! The concern over how old ouzo is relates to the quality of the product, and not the safety of consuming it. If stored properly, a bottle of ouzo, even one which has been opened, will last indefinitely.

What is the No 1 ouzo in the world? ›

Since its inception in Constantinople in 1880, Ouzo 12 has maintained the same flavor that has ranked it as the world's number one ouzo*, remaining true to its original recipe.

Why is Nutcracker illegal? ›

The sale of nutcrackers without a license violates New York law, and the police have on occasion attempted to sanction it. In 2010, black community leaders including Al Sharpton spoke out against the sale of nutcrackers because of the unregulated drinks' potential dangers to health and to children.

Can you get ouzo in America? ›

In many states, you can buy ouzo at: Wine and Liquor Shops: In most states, wine and liquor shops are the best places to buy ouzo. Here, you'll generally find the best alcohol selection. Warehouse Clubs: If your state allows warehouse clubs to sell liquor, then these bulk stores can be smart places to stock up on ouzo.

How healthy is ouzo? ›

In reasonable proportions, the aniseed-flavored aperitif is considered to have various health benefits for its consumers (insomnia, relaxation,toothache,decongestant,expectorant,antiseptic) alleviating some of the worst symptoms.

Do you shoot or sip ouzo? ›

Experienced Greek imbibers often sip ouzo with a small glass of water on the side. Glassware is simple, just a clear shot glass to sample a particular style or an unassuming rocks glass for a larger pour.

What is the most popular alcoholic drink in Greece? ›

Ouzo. Ouzo is the star on every Greek table during the aperitif. Ouzo is very similar to the sambuca liquor as it's a dry, clear, and anise-flavored drink.

What glass do you serve ouzo in? ›

Experienced Greek imbibers often sip ouzo with a small glass of water on the side. Glassware is simple, just a clear shot glass to sample a particular style or an unassuming rocks glass for a larger pour.

What kind of glass is ouzo served in? ›

Ouzo has its own way of serving, its own utensils, and appetizers. In our opinion, the most suitable ouzo glasses are the “kanonakia”, a word meaning “small canons” and referring to tubular and thick-bottomed glasses. Each glass serves 3-4 sips of ouzo mixed with water.

Do you refrigerate ouzo? ›

Do enjoy it on a hot, sunny, late afternoon or at an early evening happy hour. Do drink it cold, but don't refrigerate it. Place one or two ice cubes in asmallglass. Pour a small amount of ouzo over the ice.

Does ouzo get you drunk the next day? ›

It has a reputation for causing a particularly intense kind of drunkenness, but this is only because it's usually taken when the imbibers are already extremely drunk. They wake up the next day bruised and ashamed with a taste of aniseed in their mouths, and naturally they blame the ouzo.

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