Ouzo, Tsipouro & Greek Coffee

Ouzo

Ouzo — the anise-flavored spirit (about 40% vol.) — is the national drink. It is drunk neat or with water: When diluted, it turns milky-white (Louche effect). There is ALWAYS something to eat with it — Ouzo without meze is a faux pas. The best Ouzos come from Lesbos (Plomari, Barbayannis) and Tyrnavos.

Ouzo rules: Drink slowly, always with food, be careful in the heat (the intoxication comes slowly and intensely). In an Ouzeri (Ouzo place), you order Ouzo and meze are automatically brought — the simplest way to eat Greek.

Tsipouro & Raki/Tsikoudia

Tsipouro (mainland) and Raki/Tsikoudia (Crete) are pomace brandies — distilled from the leftovers of wine production. Tsipouro is available with or without anise; Raki is pure pomace, clear and strong. In Crete, Raki is offered with EVERYTHING: As a welcome drink in hotels, after meals in tavernas (for free!), for business deals, at weddings. A Cretan Raki evening with meze can take on epic proportions.

Greek Coffee

The Ellinikos Kafes (Greek coffee) is prepared in a small copper pot (Briki) on sand or flame — finely ground, boiled with sugar as desired, and poured into the cup along with the grounds. Tradition: Turn the cup upside down, wait 5 minutes, then grandma (or a professional Kafetzou) reads the future from the coffee grounds patterns. Meant seriously? Half. Entertaining? Absolutely.