Ouzo Lemonade

By Kenton Kotsiris

Updated 06/07/19

Ouzo lemonade recipe

The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  • Total: 5 mins
  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 0 mins
  • Yield: 1 drink (1 serving)

Ouzo is made with anise and thus carries a strong ‘black licorice’ taste. There really is no way around it; if you’re not a black licorice fan, the chances of you liking this straight are slim to none.

If you add more water, lemon juice, mint leaves, and honey - well you can begin to mask the taste and make someone who wouldn't enjoy this order a second. Now you’ve got people drinking ouzo, and that makes every Greek happy. If you drink it, you soon will be too, as ouzo is 45% alcohol (90 proof) - more than whiskey, so please drink responsibly.

As they say in Greece, Yiamas” (γεια μας- to your health/cheers).

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces ouzo (room temperature)
  • 1 1/2 ounces lemon juice (more if desired)
  • 3 mint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • 3 ounces water (iced; more or less to preference)

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ouzo lemonade ingredients
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  2. Pour ouzo into glass.

    Pour ouzo into glass
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  3. Add lemon juice and mint leaves, muddle to release flavors in mint leaves.

    Add lemon juice
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  4. Add honey and mix until honey dissolves.

    Add honey
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  5. Pour water in glass and mix. If needed, add more water to dilute the ouzo taste.

    Pour water in glass
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska

  6. Serve and enjoy!

    Ouzo lemonade
    The Spruce Eats / Ulyana Verbytska