● Greek food · 8 min read · Updated April 2026

Ouzo, tsipouro, raki: three different drinks tourists confuse.

Tourists order ouzo because it's the only Greek spirit they've heard of. But raki and tsipouro are equally important and often better. Here's the difference between the three and when to order which.

Ouzo: anise-flavored, sweet, dilute with water

Ouzo is grape-pomace alcohol distilled with anise. The anise is what makes it taste like licorice and turn cloudy white when you add water (the "ouzo effect" — anethole oil precipitates when alcohol concentration drops). Sweet, aromatic, polarizing. Around 37-45% ABV.

Drink ouzo: with seafood mezedes (small plates) at a coastal taverna. Add ice and water (1:1 ratio with water). Sip, don't shoot. Pair with octopus, sardines, taramasalata.

Best ouzos: Mini Mytilini, Plomari, Tsantali Olympos. Avoid the cheap supermarket brands (Babatzim, etc.).

Tsipouro: clean, strong, no anise (usually)

Tsipouro is grape-pomace alcohol from mainland Greece (especially Thessaly and northern Greece). It comes in two versions: with anise (similar to ouzo, "tsipouro me anise") and without ("tsipouro choris anise" — no anise, cleaner). The without-anise version is what serious drinkers prefer. Around 40-45% ABV.

Drink tsipouro: at a mainland taverna with mezedes — saganaki, fried zucchini, smoked meats. Often served at room temperature in small carafes. Sip neat or with one ice cube.

Best tsipouro: Tsantali, Tsililis, Apostolakis Tirnavos. Single-distillation tsipouros (look for "Apostagma" on label) are smoother.

Raki: Cretan, served free at the end of meals

Raki (also called tsikoudia in Crete) is the Cretan version of tsipouro. Same grape-pomace base, never distilled with anise, slightly stronger (45-55% ABV), more rustic in flavor. Crete makes its own raki at small village distilleries during the autumn harvest.

Drink raki: at any Cretan taverna at the end of the meal. The waiter will bring a small carafe (50-100ml) and small glasses for free, with a little dessert (yogurt with honey, fruit). Refusing the gift is rude. Sip slowly. Toast with "yamas!" (cheers).

Best raki: any village-distilled raki you can find. The taverna's house raki is usually exactly this. Bottled commercial raki (Tsikoudia by Boutaris, etc.) is fine but not magical.

Quick decision: which to order

Frequently asked.

Are ouzo and raki the same thing?+

No. Ouzo is anise-flavored, sweet, turns cloudy with water — drunk all over Greece, especially with seafood. Raki is anise-free, clean, stronger — Cretan tradition served at meal's end. Different drinks for different moments.

Do Greeks really drink raki at the end of every meal?+

In Crete, yes. The free raki at meal's end is a deep tradition — refusing it is impolite. Mainland Greece is less consistent — sometimes you get a complimentary tsipouro or limoncello, sometimes nothing.

How strong are these spirits?+

Ouzo: 37-45% ABV. Tsipouro: 40-45%. Raki: 45-55%. All stronger than wine, comparable to whisky. Sip, don't shoot.

Can I bring these home?+

Yes. EU travelers can bring 1L of spirits per person. US travelers, similar limits. All available at duty-free or specialty Greek liquor shops in Athens (Polyzogopoulos in central Athens has the best selection).

What's the best brand for tourists to try?+

Ouzo Plomari (most-loved Greek ouzo). Tsipouro Tsililis (clean, no anise). Raki Boutaris (commercial, reliable). All available everywhere in Greece.

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