Ouzo 12 750ml

Ouzo 12 traces its name to 1880 and the Kalogiannis distillery in Constantinople, where one barrel, number 12, was the one regulars asked for. The business moved to Thessaloniki in 1925 and then to Piraeus in 1950, and the brand says the recipe has not changed. It is bottled at 40% here.

Neat it is sweet and strongly anise. Add water or ice and it turns milky white, as the anise oils come out of solution, and softens into a rounder, gently spiced drink.

Ouzo 12 is the softer, sweeter choice next to Yeni Rakı, and it is the familiar bottle for a Greek meal. For French anise with more licorice root, try Ricard.

Pour it into a small glass, add cold water or a couple of ice cubes, and serve it with meze, grilled octopus or a plate of olives and feta.

Browse the rest of our liqueurs and cordials. Pick it up at our Brooklyn store or get same-day delivery across NYC.