The ouzini is a mixed alcoholic cocktail invented by the novelist Michael Paraskos as an alternative national drink of Cyprus to the ubiquitous brandy sour.[1][2]

Ouzini
Cocktail
TypeCocktail
Base spirit
ServedOn the rocks: poured over ice
Standard drinkware
Highball glass
Commonly used ingredients
  • 2.5 cl (one part) Cyprus ouzo
  • 7.5 cl (three parts) fresh orange juice
  • 2.5 cl (one part) fresh lemon juice
  • 2-4 drops of bitters
PreparationShake ouzo and fresh juices vigorously together, coat the rim of a glass with powdered sugar and pour drink into glass over ice, and add dash of bitters. Garnish with a thin orange slice and serve.

Using only native Cypriot ingredients, including Cypriot ouzo, the drink was invented in response to a campaign launched in 2014 by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation to encourage restaurants in Cyprus to offer customers Cypriot cuisine.[3] According to Paraskos the drink tastes "like liquid aniseed balls", referring to the traditional boiled sweet, and is "ideal for a hot Cypriot evening before dinner."[1]

The drink is featured heavily in Michael Paraskos's novel In Search of Sixpence.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Michael Paraskos (19 April 2015). "A perfect sundowner to replace the tired old brandy sour". The Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 19 April 2015.
  2. ^ Lucie Robson, 'A good story will be the Ouzini's strongest ingredient', in The Cyprus Weekly (Cyprus newspaper), 1 May 2015
  3. ^ Evie Andreou (3 August 2014). "A foodie destination". The Cyprus Mail. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016.
  4. ^ Michael Paraskos, In Search of Sixpence (London: Friction Fiction)

Further reading

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