Ouzo Lemonada
Ouzo Lemonada is bright, crisp, and aromatic, balancing the licorice notes of ouzo with sharp fresh lemon and lively sparkling water. Served over plenty of ice with mint, it is an easy, refreshing aperitif for hot days.
Ingredients
For the drink
- 120 mlouzo
- 80 mlfresh lemon juice
- 40 mlsugar syrup
- 240 mlsparkling water, well chilled
- 300 gice cubes
- 8 leavesfresh mint
- 4 thin sliceslemon slices
Instructions
- 1
Fill 2 tall glasses with the ice cubes. Lightly clap the mint leaves between your hands to release their aroma without bruising them too harshly, then divide the mint and lemon slices between the glasses.
- 2
In a small jug, combine the ouzo, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup. Stir briefly until evenly mixed. Taste and adjust with a little more syrup if your lemons are especially sharp.
- 3
Divide the ouzo-lemon mixture between the glasses, then top each with chilled sparkling water. Pour gently to keep the drink lively and fizzy.
- 4
Give each glass one gentle stir, then serve immediately while very cold and effervescent.
Nutrition per serving
Notes
- •For the best flavor, chill the ouzo, lemon juice, sparkling water, and glasses in advance so the ice melts more slowly.
- •A standard 1:1 sugar syrup works well here; dissolve equal weights of sugar and hot water, then cool before using.
- •If you prefer a drier aperitif-style drink, reduce the sugar syrup to 20 ml total.
- •This drink will turn slightly cloudy when mixed with water and ice; this is normal and characteristic of ouzo.
Background
Ouzo is Greece's iconic anise-flavored spirit, long associated with seaside cafés, meze tables, and leisurely social drinking. Mixed long drinks such as this lemony, sparkling version are modern, refreshing serves that make ouzo especially approachable in warm weather.
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