Top Ouzo Brands to Elevate Your Greek Spirits Experience

Ouzo, a quintessential Greek spirit, is cherished for its distinctive anise flavor and cultural significance. Originating from the picturesque villages of Greece, this potent and aromatic drink is not just a beverage, but a symbol of Greek hospitality and tradition. Whether you're enjoying a summer evening by the sea or a festive gathering with friends, the allure of ouzo is ever-present. Discover below the best brands that capture the essence of this beloved spirit.

Illustration of ouzo

Best brands of ouzo in 2025

Plomari

Plomari is renowned as one of the best producers of ouzo, with the island of Lesvos, where Plomari is located, producing almost 17% of Greece's ouzo despite comprising only 1.2% of the country's territory. The production of 'Ouzo of Plomari' has continued uninterrupted since the mid-nineteenth century, with traditional methods involving maceration and distillation in small copper stills. In 1894, Isidoros Arvanitis founded the Plomari Distillery, which has maintained its traditional recipes and high-quality ingredients, including anise from the Lisvori area and mastic from Chios. The ouzo is distilled to an alcoholic strength of 72-80% before being diluted to 40% for bottling. This meticulous process ensures the distinctive flavor and aroma of 'Ouzo of Plomari'. For more information, visit the official Plomari Ouzo page.

Barbayanni

Barbayanni Distillery, located in Plomari, Lesvos, Greece, is renowned for producing some of the finest Greek ouzo, with a tradition spanning 164 years since its founding by Efstathios J. Barbayannis in 1860. The distillery combines ultra-modern technology with traditional methods, using high-quality aniseeds and other natural ingredients, and pure ethyl alcohol made from raisins. The ouzo is distilled three times, with only the heart of the first distillation and the middle run of the last distillation used, ensuring a balanced and rich flavor profile. Barbayanni ouzo, such as the Blue Label, is characterized by its strong anise flavor, hints of menthol and mint, and a 46% ABV. This family-owned distillery has maintained its quality and tradition for five generations, making it a leading name in the global ouzo market. For more information about their exquisite offerings, visit the Barbayanni Distillery website.

Tsantali

Tsantali, a renowned Greek winery and distillery, has been a stalwart in the production of high-quality ouzo since 1890. With a strong focus on traditional methods and innovative viticulture practices, Tsantali exports approximately 55% of its annual production to over 45 countries worldwide, including the U.S.A., Canada, Brazil, and China. The company's commitment to biological and integrated viticulture has solidified its position as an international leader in Greek wines and spirits. Tsantali's ouzo, along with its wines, is crafted from privately owned vineyards in several Greek regions, ensuring a rich and authentic flavor profile. This dedication to quality has made Tsantali a trusted name in the global spirits market. For more details on their offerings, explore the Tsantali Winery Profile.

Mini

Mini of Mytilene is a renowned brand in the ouzo market, known for its high-quality anise-flavored spirits. As part of the broader ouzo industry, which was valued at US$ 1.58 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a 7.7% CAGR until 2030, Mini of Mytilene contributes significantly to Greece's dominance in ouzo production and export. Greece, where Mini of Mytilene is based, accounts for the majority of global ouzo consumption, with Germany being the largest consumer of Greek ouzo, absorbing 43% of exports. The brand's products are popular in bars and pubs, a segment expected to retain its significant share in the market during the forecast period. With its strong flavor profile, Mini of Mytilene ouzo is a favorite among connoisseurs.

Metaxa

Metaxa is a renowned brand in the ouzo market, known for its high-quality products that incorporate rare botanicals such as masticha, which is highly praised for its aromatic qualities and rarity. Metaxa's ouzo production involves traditional methods, including distillation in copper stills and the use of 96% alcohol by volume rectified spirit. The brand's premium positioning has seen significant growth, with a 48% year-over-year increase in premium sales. Metaxa's products are distributed through a robust network, ensuring authentic flavor profiles and maintaining export quality standards at 100%. The brand's consumer education programs have reached 250,000 customers, contributing to its strong market presence. Learn more about Metaxa Ouzo Liqueur.

Ouzo of Plomari

Ouzo of Plomari, founded in 1894 by Isidoros Arvanitis, is renowned as one of the best ouzo producers, with its distillery located in Plomari, Lesvos, Greece. This brand is celebrated for its high-quality ingredients, including organic aniseed, fennel, and other herbs, and its traditional distillation process using handmade copper stills. Ouzo of Plomari has a 40% ABV and has won numerous awards, such as the Double Gold medal at the World Spirits Competition in 2015. The distillation process, which lasts nine hours, ensures a rich and balanced flavor. The company exports to over 40 countries, solidifying its global presence. For more information, visit their official website.

Ouzo 12

Ouzo 12 is a renowned brand in the ouzo market, originating in Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1880 and named after "Barrel No12" at the Kaloyannis Distillery. It is celebrated for its rich taste and delicate aroma, remaining faithful to its original recipe. As part of the Gruppo Campari since 1999, Ouzo 12 has affirmed itself as the number 1 ouzo brand worldwide, with a 40% ABV. The brand's consistency and traditional production methods have contributed to its significant market share and global recognition. Ouzo 12 continues to be a leading choice in the global ouzo market, expected to experience significant growth in the coming years. For those looking to experience this iconic ouzo brand, you can explore their offerings on Top Shelf Wine and Spirits.

Babatzim

Babatzim is renowned as one of the top producers of ouzo, showcasing a commitment to quality that is reflected in their production numbers. In a given year, Babatzim may produce 80,000 liters of tsipouro, with a rigorous quality control process that involves discarding up to 20,000 liters to ensure the highest standards. This meticulous approach has contributed to the brand's significant share in the global ouzo market. The Distilled segment, which includes Babatzim's products, accounted for a noticeable share of the global ouzo market in 2023 and is projected to experience significant growth. This growth is further supported by the expanding Bars/Pubs segment, which is expected to retain its position throughout the forecast period. You can explore Babatzim's products here.

Pilavas

Pilavas is a renowned family-owned brand in the ouzo industry, originating from Chios and established in Patras in 1950. The company has evolved through three generations, with the current facility at Old National Road 31 Akteo Patras boasting state-of-the-art distilleries and bottling machines capable of producing 6,000 bottles per hour. Pilavas is certified by ISO 9001 and HACCP, ensuring high-quality standards. The brand is strongly positioned in the Greek market and exports to nine other European countries, contributing to the global ouzo market which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.7% from 2023 to 2030. Pilavas is recognized as one of the most popular ouzo brands, alongside Ouzo 12, Metaxa, and Plomari. For more details about their rich history, visit their official website.

Pitsiladi

Pitsiladi is a renowned brand in the ouzo industry, known for its high-quality ouzo produced using traditional methods. The ouzo is made from anise seeds and grains, 100% distilled in traditional copper stills over olive wood fire, a process that has been refined over the years. Founded in the town of Plomari on the island of Lesbos, Pitsiladi ouzo is part of the rich ouzo production heritage that began to flourish in the 19th century. The brand adheres to strict quality standards, ensuring the final product has an ABV between 42.0 and 55.0 percent, as mandated by Greek law. Pitsiladi ouzo is often served with water or ice, which causes it to turn a milky-white color due to the anethole content. For more information, you can explore Pitsiladi Ouzo.