Inspired by today and this weekend’s events, today’s Fuzzy Friday is Greek. Greek-ish. Today happens to be 1. Greek Independence Day and 2. the opening of My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.
I don’t know if you know how excited I am for this “event”. The movie. I can watch the first one and still die on the floor laughing because growing up Greek, this is SO representative of what life is like. A few things might be a little extreme but for the most part, it’s SO spot on! Even my mom tells me stories of my Papou bringing all kinds of older wealthy men home for dinner to set her up with them to be married. She said UM NO THANK YOU! ha!
Being as proud as I am of my heritage, and knowing what it’s like to grow up in a Greek family raised in America, I wanted to bring you a bit of my heritage today.
The most popular drink in Greece, next to wine, is Ouzo. It’s a licorice liquor that is usually sipped straight or over ice. Once it’s in a glass of ice, the clear liquid turns into a milky fuzzy white color. Maybe because it gives you a fuzzy brain? (ha!) But it’s the most well known drink amongst the Greeks.
Rather than sharing that straight, I wanted something a little different for you. So I called my parents and asked them what other drinks they knew of that were kinda “Greek”… again, other than wine. They shared this recipe with me that they used to drink at their cocktail parties “back in the day”… they have some pictures with some swanky hair and dresses in the 60’s that looked BEYOND fab! If I could be a fly on the wall at some of those dinner parties. My mom, a little hottie with her gorgeous hair and fabulous dresses and my dad, all sleek with his pipe! ha! I’m not kidding! … this was all before I came along of course! I’m sure there was some feta cheese and loukaniko for their edible delights, too.
So bring you the Ouzo Alexander. A simple twist on the Brandy Alexander, but using Ouzo. This is a creamy, chocolaty licorice flavor that is rich and smooth going down.
And when I made it, I have to say, it was so good, I drank both with no problem! … the only problem is it wasn’t 5 o’clock yet! HA!
Ouzo Alexander
- 1 shot ouzo
- 1 shot creme de cacao
- 1 shot cream or milk
Place ice in a shaker. Add the ouzo, creme de cacao and milk. Shake and strain into glasses.
If you don’t want the licorice flavor too strong, lighten up on the ouzo. Make the strength to your liking. But remember…2/3 of this IS alcohol. #fuzzyfriday #OPA!
Go so My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 this weekend, have a shot of ouzo OR make our Ouzo Alexander and say OPA! Welcome to my world!
#drinkresponsibly
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