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Metaxa 12 Stars – The Greek Spirit

September 4, 2022

Bryan Dearsley

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Contributor Tom Wilkinson gives the low-down on Metaxa 12 Stars, the original Greek spirit, as well as the fun cocktails you can make with it

Metaxa, also known as the ‘Greek Spirit’, is often mistaken for a brandy or cognac, but in actuality it is a unique and distinct beverage.

Back home in Greece, the distillery is symbolised by the Salamina Warrior, a symbol of risk-taking and courage, inspired by a medallion found during construction.

Metaxa is made from a mixture of Muscat wines and botanicals which can be enjoyed neat or with a small amount of ice. Drunk in this way, it most closely resembles a floral brandy. Personally, I enjoyed it the most when used in a cocktail.

Metaxa 12 Stars Makes Great Cocktails

Here are some of my favourite “Riley recommended” delicious Metaxa Cocktails.

Orange Summit

This mixture of fruit juice and Metaxa blends well for a refreshing cocktail that would be perfect for enjoying on a Greek beach.

To make an Orange Summit like the one pictured above, you will need:

a double measure of Metaxa 12 stars
a double measure of orange juice
20ml measure of fresh lime juice
dashes of chocolate bitters
15ml of sugar syrup

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain, over ice, into a frosted Old Fashion glass then garnish with a slice of pink grapefruit and chocolate shavings.

Greek Sazerac

For aniseed fans, the Metaxa prevents the aniseed from being cloying for a well rounded slow, drink.

To make a Greek Sazerac you will need:

a double measure of Metaxa 12 Stars
2 teaspoons of aniseed Liqueur
3 teaspoons of brown sugar syrup
4 dashes of Peychaurds bitters

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker full of ice. Shake well then strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with fresh grapes and serve.

Pole 2 Pole

This cocktail is deceptively drinkable with a lightness that makes it too easy to quaff. Drink with care!

To make a Pole 2 Pole you will need:

a double measure of Metaxa 12 Stars
a single measure of dry vermouth
a teaspoon of peach liqueur
3 dashes of orange bitters

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well. Strain into an Old Fashion glass containing ice then garnish with cinnamon dust and orange peel.

To hear the good Doctor making these cocktails you can listen to the podcast here.

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Contributor Tom Wilkinson the creator and host of Dr Wilko’s Campaign for Better Beverages a podcast about quality alcohol. He also co-hosts and edits a podcast on geeky topics drawn from a hat.