Ouzo Recipe

Name: Istros Ouzo Recipe
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 10 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 1 cup Anise seeds; 1 cup Sugar; 4 cups Water; 2 cups Neutral grain alcohol (e.g., vodka or rectified spirit); 1 tsp Mastic gum (ground); 10 leaves Mint leaves (fresh)

Inspired by Istros

Time1h 30m

Serves10

Traditional Greek anise-flavored aperitif.

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Ingredients

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Base Ingredients

1 cup Anise seeds1 cup sugar4 cups Water2 cups Neutral grain alcohol (e.g., vodka or rectified spirit)

Optional Flavor Enhancers

1 tsp Mastic gum (ground)10 leaves Mint leaves (fresh)

Method

Preparation

Infuse Anise

In a large saucepan, combine anise seeds and 4 cups of water. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally.

Simmer

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 30 minutes. This will extract the flavors from the anise seeds.

Strain the Mixture

After simmering, remove the saucepan from heat. Strain the mixture using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the anise seeds from the liquid.

Add Sugar

Return the strained liquid to the saucepan. Add 1 cup of sugar to the liquid and heat gently, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves.

Combine with Alcohol

Once the sugar is dissolved, remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool slightly. Then, mix in 2 cups of neutral grain alcohol (vodka or rectified spirit). Stir well.

Optional Flavoring

If desired, add ground mastic gum and fresh mint leaves to the mixture for additional flavor. Stir to combine.

Bottling

Bottle the Ouzo

Using a funnel, carefully pour the ouzo into clean, sterilized bottles. Seal the bottles tightly.

Let it Rest

Allow the ouzo to sit in a cool, dark place for at least 1 week to let the flavors meld before serving.