There are many drink options out there, and they’re all pretty good!
But if you’re looking for something beyond the ordinary, these 15 best ouzo cocktails are for you!
You’re probably curious about Ouzo.
We get it.
It’s a strong aniseed-flavored alcoholic drink from Greece.
And when you add water to it, it becomes milky-like and gives off an intoxicating scent while exposing its other hidden qualities.
Then you realize how much more than a stunning drink it is.
What you really have is a rich taste with a delicate aroma—one that you can’t help but notice as you sip on your cocktail.
You see, Ouzo is like the red wine of cocktails: it has a mellow, sophisticated flavor.
And it also has a bit of an edge—a spicy kick to give it some lift when you need it most.
Plus, it pairs well with everything from gin to vodka and even whiskey (but we’ll get to that later).
And the best part?
There are as many ways to use Ouzo as there are ways to drink it!
But with so many options, it can take time to figure out where to start.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of 15 ouzo cocktails to get you started!
From the twist on a classic Cranberry Ouzo Spritz to the dreamy Apollo Cooler to the fruity slushy Honeydew Ouzo Cocktail, we’ve got it all.
But #14 is truly different from the rest.
It’s so perfectly balanced and smooth.
And it’s worth trying at least once.
Really.
Ouzo With Lemon & Mint is a simple concoction that’s both refreshing and boozy.
It’s a fun, easy-to-make cocktail that provides just the right amount of lemon flavor and minty freshness to balance out the star anise notes of the Ouzo.
And the fresh lemon juice splashes give it just enough tartness to make it taste like a fruity-flavored cocktail, but not so much that it’s overcloying.
This drink is suitable for those who prefer lighter drinks but still want something savory, boozy, and a little sweet.
2. Ouzito
Ouzito is a simple cocktail to make at home.
It might be hard to believe that something so light and fruity could come out of a bottle of Ouzo, but it’s true!
All you need is Ouzo, mint leaves, strawberries, and other usual cocktail ingredients you’ll find at home.
You might also think this cocktail would taste like licorice, but it actually tastes more like a fruity punch than anything else.
The strawberries help tone down the licorice flavor and make this cocktail sweet without being sickly sweet.
And since this drink is light yet flavorful, it’s great for brunch or simple get-togethers.
3. Sexy Greek
Sexy Greek is a cocktail made with Ouzo and fresh orange juice, garnished with an orange slice.
It’s perfect when you need some liquid courage to talk to someone you like.
This sweet and tart cocktail is also about the symphony of flavors.
The Ouzo gives it a strong licorice flavor, rounded by the sweetness of the orange juice and the citrusy-bitter bite of the orange slice.
It’s like having a shot of tequila, but instead of feeling like you’re going to fall off your chair after one drink…you’ll feel like flirting with everyone at the party.
You’ve heard it said that the Vulcan Mind-Probe tastes like absinthe, but here’s the thing: it does.
It does taste like absinthe, but it’s not exactly like any absinthe you’ve ever had before.
You can make this cocktail by blending Ouzo and 151 Proof Rum (no mixers).
And what you’ll get is a powerful kick—we’re talking straight-up alcohol here.
The Vulcan Mind-Probe also makes for a great aperitif because it puts you in an excellent appetite and mood.
However, you should take each sip slowly since this drink might knock you out easily.
If you want a little taste of living, try this drink.
It’s a fun twist on the classics and has the right balance between sweet and sour.
The cranberries in this cocktail add just enough sweetness to complement the tartness of the lime juice but not so much that it becomes overpowering.
And the Ouzo adds an herbal note that goes well with the cranberries and the lime, creating an overall flavor that is crisp, fresh, and complex.
You can make this drink if you want something fancy but casual enough to enjoy at home while watching a movie with friends.
The Apollo Cooler is a cocktail with a taste that will transport you to another place, giving you the feeling that you’ve been transported to Greece and are lounging on the beach.
It is made with Metaxa—a smooth light brown liquid with hints of honey and caramel—and ginger ale, which gives it its golden color.
Then there’s a dash of Ouzo to give it a kick.
This cocktail also tastes just as strong as whiskey and has a very smooth finish, which makes it perfect for anyone who likes their drinks strong but not overwhelming.
We all know what a martini is.
It’s an iconic cocktail that has been around for a long time.
And while it’s perfect for sipping on in your living room on a weeknight, sometimes you want something a little more exciting.
So why not try an Ouzo Pomegranate Martini?
This drink will take your taste buds on a whirlwind tour, from the crisp coolness of pomegranate juice to the sweet tanginess of pineapple juice to the smoothness of vodka.
And then there’s Ouzo—that classic Greek liqueur with an exotic taste that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting on a sun-drenched Mediterranean island.
It all comes together to create a drink that will make even the most jaded partygoer smile with delight!
It’s time to get weird with The Upside Down, a blackberry cocktail that makes you feel like you’re living in a parallel universe.
It has a deep crimson color, made with muddled whole blackberries, Ouzo, vodka, and simple syrup–all inspired by the Netflix series, “Stranger Things.”
This cocktail is also just as complex as the show it’s based on: it has a smoky flavor from the Ouzo and a sweet finish from the simple syrup.
And the blackberries give it a vibrant hue, which makes it look like an extra-special drink for anyone who likes sci-fi and horror movies.
You can describe the Red Orange Blossom Cocktail in many ways, but we’ll go with “tasty.” Because it is indeed tasty.
It’s a simple drink, but it’s not boring.
It’s got the sweet and sour of orange juice, grenadine syrup, and then the bite of vodka and Ouzo.
And it’s like a party in your mouth—one that everyone wants to attend.
Plus, this cocktail is as good on its own as in a pitcher full of ice, so feel free to make one or three at a time.
10. The Circean
The Circean is a cocktail made for the Greek gods—sweet, bitter, and mysterious.
It’s a drink you can’t resist and one you’ll want to discuss with everyone you know.
The sweet lemon juice and Ouzo come together in a perfect balance of citrus and licorice flavors.
At the same time, the Calvados gives just enough heat to make you want more.
Add in some cinnamon syrup for subtlety (but not too much), and you’ve got a drink that’ll make you feel like you’re in the clouds of Mt. Olympus!
11. Ouzo Greyhound
If you’ve ever wanted to get your paws on a cocktail that tastes like a refreshing slice of grapefruit, then you’ll be over the moon for Ouzo Greyhound.
It’s got the bite of an Ouzo shot with the sweet tartness of fresh grapefruit juice and the gentle fizz of club soda.
And the little mint leaves for garnish add just enough earthy freshness to balance out the citrusy flavors.
The result is a drink ideal for those nights when you want to be adventurous but not too much.
The Blueberry & Rosemary Greek Mule is a berry-centric drink with a twist on the traditional Moscow mule.
Still, it’s packed with all of the same flavors.
The blueberries lend a sweet, juicy touch to this concoction, while the ginger beer and vodka give it a sharp kick.
And the Ouzo brings everything together with its smooth finish that makes this cocktail one you’ll want to make again and again.
You know that sweet, juicy honeydew melon you love to eat?
Well, you can also make it into a cocktail!
This is the Honeydew Ouzo Cocktail.
It’s a slushy of frozen honeydew, mint and lime, Ouzo—and it tastes absolutely divine.
And it’s so good that we don’t even have to try too hard to convince you: just take a sip and see for yourself.
Midsummer Night’s Dream is a cocktail that takes you to the other side of the rainbow.
The first sip is like a bite out of a juicy fruit but with a kick.
And the second sip is like sitting by the fire and sipping from your favorite mug on a cold night.
It’s spicy, sweet, tart, and citrusy—but it still feels somehow light and airy at the same time.
It’s hard to describe, but you’ll know what we mean once you give this drink a shot.
If you’re looking for a sweet and sophisticated cocktail, this drink is it!
The Ouzo gives it a unique licorice flavor that blends nicely with the lemon juice and honey syrup.
And it’s beautifully mixed with sparkling wine and a sprig of thyme for garnish.
The cocktail also tastes like a combination of fresh lemonade and sweet herbal tea.
But it’s not overly sweet since the thyme adds just enough herbaceous flavor to balance out the tartness from the lemon juice and pineapple juice.
This is an excellent drink for both beginner and expert mixers alike!
The bottom line
We hope you enjoyed this list of 15 Ouzo cocktails!
Ouzo is a wonderful, versatile liqueur you can use in many different ways.
And it’s best to try it in a cocktail before using it as a base for other drinks because it’s much more complex than you might expect.
So, what’s your favorite ouzo cocktail?
Let us know in the comments!
15 Best Ouzo Cocktails
If you're looking for something beyond the ordinary, this list of 15 best ouzo cocktails is for you!
Ingredients
- Ouzo With Lemon & Mint
- Ouzito
- Sexy Greek
- The Vulcan Mind-Probe
- Cranberry Ouzo Spritz Cocktail
- Apollo Cooler
- Ouzo Pomegranate Martini
- The Upside Down
- Red Orange Blossom Cocktail
- The Circean
- Ouzo Greyhound
- Blueberry & Rosemary Greek Mule
- Honeydew Ouzo Cocktail
- Midsummer Night’s Dream
- Honey, Lemon, Thyme & Ouzo Sparkling Cocktail
Instructions
- Find your favorite recipe from our Ouzo Cocktails list.
- Gather all the ingredients needed.
- Start mixing and make us proud!