Lemon

Lemon-Infused Ouzo Mint Spritzer

by:
January 27, 2015
0
0 Ratings
Lemon-Infused Ouzo Mint Spritzer
  • Serves 1
Author Notes

With its distinctive anise flavor, ouzo is certainly an acquired taste. But our Greek roots mean we have a special place for ouzo in our cocktail repertoire, and we couldn’t resist sharing a refreshing pairing that will convert many an ouzo skeptic.
Simply infuse the ouzo with lemon, prepare a mint simple syrup (much like the one we use in some of our house-made juices), and finish the package with a shaker of turbinado sugar for rimming cocktail glasses. —CAVA

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 200-mL bottle Ouzo
  • 1 lemon, with top layer of peel carefully tested into long strips
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 2 large sprigs fresh mint
  • lemon slices and mint for garnish
  • club soda
  • turbinado sugar for rimming
Directions
  1. For cocktail: Measure 1 shot of ouzo into a cocktail shaker. Add 1 shot of mint simple syrup and 6 ounces club soda. Add ice and shake until combined. To rim your glass, dip the top of it into your mint simple syrup, and carefully place in a shallow plate of turbinado sugar. Carefully pour cocktail into rimmed highball glass and garnish with a lemon slice and sprig of fresh mint.
  2. FYI: The cocktail will turn a milky-white color when shaken. This is because anethole, the essential oil of anise, is completely soluble in alcohol at approximately 38% ABV and above, but not in water. Who knew?!
  3. ProTip: Citrus is a great infusion option for a variety of alcohols — try blood orange with vodka or grapefruit with tequila.
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1 Review

Nina
Nina November 18, 2024
Question: assuming the lemon peel goes in the bottle of ouzo... How long should it be left to infuse? Should it be chilled or at room temp during infusion?
Having not made this yet, but with experience crafting cocktails - shaking club soda will explode everywhere! Maybe shaking non-carbonated ingredients, straining into a glass, then topping with club soda is better...?