The national spirit of Greece — an anise-flavored liquor distilled from grape pomace with star anise and botanicals including fennel, coriander, and cinnamon. Protected by designation of origin: only spirits produced in Greece and Cyprus using the traditional method can be labeled ouzo.

What is ouzo made from?

Grape pomace — the skins, seeds, and stems left after winemaking — re-distilled with star anise as the dominant botanical, plus a blend that typically includes fennel, coriander, cloves, and cinnamon. The pomace base gives ouzo its PDO protection as a specifically Greek spirit.

Why does ouzo turn white when you add water?

The louche effect — anethole oils from the anise dissolve in high-proof alcohol but precipitate out as white droplets when diluted with water or ice. It's a natural indicator of authentic anise distillation, not an additive or coloring.

How is ouzo different from absinthe or pastis?

All three are anise-flavored spirits but differ in origin and production. Ouzo is Greek, distilled from grape pomace under PDO rules. Absinthe is wormwood-forward with anise as a supporting botanical, produced without PDO restrictions. Pastis is a French anise-and-licorice liqueur, sweetened and lower proof than ouzo.

What is the alcohol percentage in ouzo?

Ouzo typically ranges from 37.5% to 50% ABV (75–100 proof). Greek PDO regulations require a minimum of 37.5% ABV. Most widely distributed expressions sit between 40–46% ABV.

What food pairs with ouzo?

The traditional pairing is mezze — olives, grilled octopus, fried calamari, feta cheese, and briny seafood. The dry anise character integrates cleanly with salty, seafood-forward flavors in a way few spirits do.

Ouzo

1 product

Ouzo Al Asriya Arak

Ouzo

Ouzo is the national spirit of Greece — an anise-flavored liquor produced from grape pomace re-distilled with star anise and a blend of botanicals that typically includes fennel, coriander, cloves, and cinnamon, producing the intensely aromatic, clean anise character that defines the category.

The most recognizable characteristic of ouzo is the louche effect: the spirit runs clear in the bottle, but turns a milky, opalescent white when water or ice is added. This happens because the anethole oils from the anise dissolve in alcohol but precipitate out when diluted — a natural optical signal of authentic anise distillation. Ouzo is produced under protected designation of origin (PDO) rules — only spirits produced in Greece and Cyprus using the traditional pomace-and-anise distillation method can legally be labeled ouzo. The island of Lesvos and the Plomari region are considered the spiritual heartland of ouzo production; Plomari ouzo has its own regional identity within the category.

The classic serve is a small glass, chilled or over ice, with a splash of cold water to release the louche, alongside mezze — olives, grilled octopus, feta, or fried calamari. The dry anise character integrates cleanly with seafood and briny foods. Ouzo also works as a cocktail ingredient in anise-forward builds alongside absinthe, gin, or vermouth. Ouzo 12, the most widely distributed brand internationally, is a reliable entry point; Plomari and single-distillery expressions from smaller Greek producers represent the category at its most authentic.

Tasting Notes

Nose: Clean star anise, fennel, and sweet botanicals — the hallmark ouzo aromatics at full expression
Palate: Dry and bracing anise-forward character with the herbal botanical blend rounding out the grape pomace base
Finish: Long and clean — anise lingers with a slight cooling fennel note

How to Drink Ouzo

Classic serve: Chilled shot glass or small tumbler — add cold water to trigger the louche and watch it turn white
On ice: One large cube, no water needed — the melt does the work
With food: The traditional pairing is mezze — olives, grilled fish, octopus, or salty cheeses
Cocktails: Works in place of pastis or absinthe in anise-forward drinks; a natural match with vermouth in spirit-forward serves

Browse all liqueurs at Wooden Cork or explore the full brandy and cognac collection.