What does ouzo taste like?
Ouzo tastes like sweet, smooth black licorice from anise, with a soft herbal background, and like pastis it turns milky white when you add water or ice.
Ouzo
sweet licorice, cloudy and cool
Ouzo is Greece's anise spirit, usually around 37.5 to 40% alcohol. It's clear in the bottle and tastes mostly of anise (the seed that gives black licorice its flavor), with hints of fennel, coriander or mastic depending on the brand. It's a touch sweeter and rounder than pastis, and much smoother than absinthe. Greeks usually sip it slowly with ice or a little water, which turns it cloudy, alongside meze like grilled octopus, olives and feta. It's a drink for lingering over food, not for shots.
Where you’ll see it
At Greek restaurants, by the glass or small bottle, served with ice and water on the side and meant for meze. Occasionally in cocktails, or as a shot, though Greeks would gently disapprove.
Order it if you like black licorice and you're settling in for a long Greek meal of small plates.
Quick questions
- Is ouzo the same as sambuca?
- No. Both taste of anise, but sambuca is an Italian liqueur, much sweeter and syrupy. Ouzo is a drier spirit that turns cloudy with water.
- Should you drink ouzo straight?
- You can, but most Greeks add ice or water, which turns it milky and softens the alcohol. It's meant to be sipped with food.