Greece Popular Drinks

GREECE

As Greek food is integral to the lifestyle and culture of Greece, Greek drinks have also played a large role in Greek life since the times of Ancient Greece.


Frappé coffee

Frappé coffee (also Greek frappé or Café frappé) is a Greek foam-covered iced coffee drink made from instant coffee (generally, spray-dried). It is among the most popular drinks in Greece, especially during the summer, and has been called the national coffee of Greece.

The coffee can be made either with a cocktail shaker or an appropriate mixer (e.g. a hand mixer). One or two teaspoons of coffee, sugar (to taste) and a little water are blended to form a foam, which is poured into a tall glass. To this is added cold water and ice cubes, and, optionally, milk - typically evaporated milk. In cafés, frappés tend to be relatively strong and heavy. As they drink, Greeks often top up their frappé with water thus lightening it and extending their drinking time.

Greek Coffee

The most popular Greek drink is the Greek Coffee. Originally Turkish, Greek coffee is loved by all Greeks and is now the national drink. It is a thick beverage, made by boiling finely ground coffee beans, and is served thick and strong, and often sweetened. It is always unfiltered, with the coffee sediment at the bottom of the cup. It is not served with milk but is usually served with a glass of cold water to freshen the mouth to better taste the coffee.

Metaxa

Metaxa is a famous Greek brand of sweet brandy. It is a blend of brandy, spices, and wine, with wine not being present in some of the more expensive editions of the product to allow for a drier taste.

Metaxa comes in six major types: Three Stars, Five Stars, Seven Stars, Twelve Stars Grand Olympian Reserve, Twelve Stars and the Private Reserve. The number of stars represents the number of years the blend has aged in cask, thus the Seven star is the most aged and selected type. The main difference between the Three Stars and the Five Stars is that the latter is noticeably drier, making the alcohol more pronounced. The Seven Stars and the Twelve Stars are more flavoursome and complex. In Twelve Stars the taste of the barrel in which the brandy matured is very noticeable. 

Metaxa is traditionally served neat, on the rocks (ice cube), with tonic or mixed (usually with sours). It is also used as a basic ingredient in several cocktails such as Alexander or the "Greek Mojito".

Retsina

Retsina is the wine with the biggest name recognition in Greece. It has been something like the national beverage for Greeks since the 1960′s. Retsina is either white or rose wine with a strong, distinctive resin taste that can take some time getting used to. Traditionally, back in ancient times, the wine barrels were sealed with Aleppo Pine resin which gave its unique district flavor to the contents. Today the taste is artificially manufactured, and Retsina is an Athens region specialty. It should not be aged. The most well-known and cheap-n-dirty is "Kourtaki Retsina". Some people say Retsina has a flavor as sappy turpentine like, while others (mostly non-Greeks) say that Retsina is definitely an acquired taste.

Retsina should be served cold and is ideal as an accompaniment for all types of Greek cuisine. Like most Greek beverages, it is undeniably at its best when combined with Greek foods, especially the savory mezedes served as appetizers.