Metaxa 12 Star - Brandy Recipe

Store the bottle upright in a cool, dark place until ready to serve. Metaxa 12 is a finished commercial spirit — no blending or aging steps are required at service time.

Open the bottle carefully by removing the capsule and unscrewing or pulling the cork. Inspect briefly: color should be deep amber to mahogany, aroma rich and complex.

Neat (recommended)

Pour 45–60 ml of Metaxa 12 into a tulip or brandy snifter warm in your hands for a few moments to gently open aromatics. Do not add ice. If desired, express an orange peel over the glass by holding peel skin-side down and giving it a sharp twist to release essential oils; rub the rim with the peel and rest it on the glass as a garnish.

On the rocks (alternative)

Place 1–2 large ice cubes in an old-fashioned glass. Pour 45–60 ml of Metaxa 12 over the ice. Allow 1–2 minutes for the spirit to cool and slightly dilute, then express an orange peel over the glass and discard or rest it on the rim.

If you want to open the spirit further for tasting, pour 30 ml of Metaxa 12 into a small tasting glass and add 10–15 ml of room-temperature water to gently release tertiary aromas and flavors. Smell, then sip and note the progression.

Serve a small piece (10–15 g) of dark chocolate alongside each tasting pour to highlight the spirit’s dried-fruit, spice and cocoa notes.