Metaxa is a Greek brandy with an original taste. Metaxa drink - how to drink the pride of Hellas correctly

Most likely, Spiros Metax, the founder of a small family business producing alcohol, did not even dream that his brainchild would become one of the hundred most popular alcoholic drinks in the world. But that’s exactly what happened; moreover, brandy (not cognac) Metaxa acquired the status of a calling card of Greece. It’s rare that a tourist doesn’t try to take at least one treasured bottle with him. What explains this demand?

In the article:

Subtleties of Metaxa production

No one except the manufacturer himself knows exactly what technology is used to make Greek cognac. The only thing that is known for certain is that it is obtained by combining herbal infusion, sweet Muscat wine and well-aged grape alcohol. The strength of Metaxa is 38%, it delights with the smell of nutmeg and dried fruits; the taste of “walnut cognac” is legendary. The drink managed to mix vanilla and oak flavors. The latter is the merit of oak containers, in which the distilled alcohol is kept for 3-15 years. Elite types of alcohol are preserved in oak containers for almost 80 years!

Brandy Metaxa is not an entirely correct name, since the drink itself is unique in its technology and composition, it has no analogues and does not belong to any known category of alcohol. It is produced on the basis of double-distilled wine alcohol obtained from three nomes of Greece. One-year-old muscat wine is the second required component, while the third is a secret infusion of herbs and rose petals. At the final stage of production, the Metaxa drink is infused for at least six months at a constant temperature of -6 degrees Celsius.

Varieties of Greek brandy Metaxa

The “flying” Greek Metaxa, which received its nickname for its light and original taste, is sold in several versions, the difference between which lies in the duration of aging. The following types of drink can be found on the market:

at least 3 years old;
five- and seven-year aging;
stayed in barrels for all 12 years;
in a ceramic jug, the age of the drink in which is 8-15 years;
in crystal containers storing alcohol aged 20-30 years;
with aging equal to 30-80 years.

How to drink Metaxa correctly?

The answer to how to drink Metaxa correctly depends entirely on its “age” category. For example, a five-year-old ordinary variety can be diluted with ice or water without a twinge of conscience, added to cocktails and goes well with the following snack:

all kinds of nuts;
cheeses and fresh grapes;
seafood and chocolate;
lemon and toast with fresh lettuce;
tartlets with black caviar, etc.

Greek Metaxa, aged 7 years, is a full-fledged digestif that tolerates only a very light snack and a maximum of one ice cube in the glass. Varieties that have survived 12 years of aging are worthy of the highest degree of respect. They are savored in a chilled and clean state, be sure to be poured into a wide glass, and during the tasting process they are warmed with the warmth of the palms.

The Metaxa alcoholic drink is good in company with a high-quality cigar, and its famous velvety quality, supported by a barely noticeable liqueur aftertaste, will amaze brandy lovers. How? Because drinking Metaxa is much easier and more enjoyable.

Metaxa, whose strength is lower than others of this level, is considered by the Greeks to be a healing drug. This is probably why it is gradually added to tea and coffee and taken as a balm.

Examples of homemade cocktails with Metaxa

Greek bartenders did not miss the opportunity to replenish their range with multi-ingredient drinks based on the famous brandy. If we talk about the simplest cocktail, then in order to reduce the strength, Metaxa is diluted either with tonic or with any citrus juice, maintaining a 1:1 ratio. As for more refined mixtures, one of the delights of the alcoholic menu was the Metaxa Sour cocktail, invented by Spyros himself.

Cocktail recipe Metaxa sour ( Metaxa sour)

Metaxa sour

30 ml fresh orange juice;
20 ml lemon juice;
100 ml sparkling water;
ice cubes;
50 ml.

All ingredients (except soda) are intensively mixed in a shaker for a minute. The liquid is poured into a 300 ml glass and filled to the brim with soda.

Alexandra cocktail recipe

Alexandra

A cocktail called “Alexandra”, invented in honor of the Queen of Denmark, is prepared from:

30 ml chocolate liqueur;
30 ml cream;
30 ml brandy.

Everything is mixed well in a shaker and served without ice!

Refreshing summer drink with Metaxa

50 ml orange juice;
20 ml lemon syrup;
ice;
60 ml chilled black leaf tea;
25 ml cognac.

First, the glass is filled with ice, syrup and fresh juice and cognac are poured on top of it. Tea is poured last. It is recommended to drink through a straw.

Metaxa, the composition of which the manufacturer keeps under seven seals, is the pride and heritage of Greece, which can be enjoyed gently and leisurely, as if exploring the sights of the country itself. Drink brandy in small portions, tuning into a dreamy, or even philosophical wave. Be attentive to details, try to catch everything that is valued by connoisseurs of elite alcohol. Only in this way will you believe that Metaxa was made on earth that has preserved the traces of the gods.

Among the rich variety of alcoholic drinks, one trend can be distinguished, which causes a lot of controversy and surprised exclamations. This is a brandy whose homeland is sunny Greece. But many connoisseurs still cannot say with certainty whether it is brandy or cognac. Yes, we are talking about “Metax” - a unique one that has found its admirers all over the world.

Brandy: what is this?

What is brandy is a simple question followed by silence. After all, most people don’t know what kind of drink it is, they are only sure that it is similar to cognac and definitely alcoholic.

Brandy is the generally accepted name for a number of strong alcoholic drinks prepared using the same general technology, which uses grape alcohol distillate, juice, extracts or fermentation products of berry and fruit juices. This name cannot be attributed to a specific drink, because brandy is rather a technological recipe for production.

"Metaxa"

"Metaxa" is an alcoholic drink made using brandy technology. The birthplace of manufacture is Greece. The drink has a dark golden color and its strength is 38%. "Metaxa" conveys the aroma of dried fruits and nutmeg, the aftertaste has notes of oak.

Today this drink is the hallmark of Greece and takes pride of place in the heart of everyone who has tasted it at least once.

"Metaxa" is one of the popular alcoholic drinks all over the world and belongs to brandy according to the international classification of alcohol. At the same time, it is often compared to cognac, since the manufacturing process is similar to brandy technology. But Metaxa is rightfully considered a unique, unlike anything else, alcoholic drink that has no analogues in the whole world. For this reason, it is very difficult to equate it with any group of alcohol.

The composition includes a herbal infusion, which gives the drink a special, even unique taste. It also deserves attention because its history on the world market is rather short compared to other alcoholic products. Only at the end of the nineteenth century was Metaxa able to emerge from the shadow of its homeland (Greece), enter the world market and conquer it.

History of the drink

Back in 1888, in the city of Piraeus, Greek winemaker Spyros Metaxas launched the production of his own brandy and gave it his last name. The emblem of the brandy was the release of which was dedicated to the great victory of the Greeks over the Persians in the battle at sea near the city of Salamis. The coin was found during the construction of the plant, so this sign seemed significant to the winemaker. As can be seen today, Spyros Metaxas was not mistaken.

From the first days of the plant's operation, Greek Metaxa brandy was presented to the Greek, Serbian, Russian and Ethiopian royal courts. Members of noble families appreciated the drink, inviting the founder to become the main supplier of alcoholic beverages to the court. Since that time, Metaxa has been called “Greek silk” in Europe. Interestingly, “metaxi” is translated from Greek as silk.

Since the beginning of the 20th century, manufacturers of the Metaxa brand have begun delivering to the USA. At the end of the 60s of the last century, the production facilities were moved to Athens, where they are located to the present day. In the late 80s, the Metaxa trademark came under the influence of the Remy Cointreau company.

Manufacturing

The exact recipe for Metaxa is a secret, but the manufacturing process is known for certain. Brandy is made from wine materials from three regions: Corinth, Crete, Attica. The wine spirit is distilled twice and aged in an oak barrel for 3 to 15 years. The elite variety of brandy "Metaxa" can be aged for 80 years.

The resulting brandy is mixed with s and Lemos, aged for 1 year. Then a secret mixture of aromatic herbs and rose petals are added to the composition. The final stage consists of aging Metaxa in oak barrels at a temperature of no more than -6 degrees Celsius for 6 months. The drink is then filtered, bottled and sold.

What is the difference between brandy and cognac?

There is an opinion that cognac and brandy are the same drink. This statement is partly true and partly false. The fact is that there is a difference between cognac and brandy, and a considerable one. Cognac is a special type of alcoholic drink produced using brandy technology, but using a completely different recipe.

Brandy is, in fact, not a drink as such, but a technological process for producing alcoholic beverages in the range from 40% to 60% strength. Cognac also falls into this category. "Metaxa" is produced using brandy technology, which means it can be classified as brandy. But at the same time, a special recipe composition separates it from this type of alcohol. Therefore, when asking the question, what is “Metaxa” - is it cognac or brandy, you can safely answer,

Kinds

Today, Greek brandy Metaxa is sold in every country. There are several types of light and at the same time strong drink, which depend on its age, that is, aging under certain conditions in oak barrels.

"Metaxa" 3 stars is a brandy with a strength of 38%, aged in oak barrels. It is the most inexpensive, but still delicious drink.
Brandy "Metaxa" 5 stars. Produced at 40% strength from 5-year-old wine spirits. Unique additives of aromatic herbs and rose petals give an unforgettable aroma and memorable taste.
Brandy "Metaxa" 7 stars. The variety is called “Amphora” due to the fact that it is bottled in sophisticated bottles reminiscent of a Greek amphora. The drink is aged for 7 years, has 40% strength, has a rich taste and aroma of dried fruits, vanilla and oak. The golden-brown hue gives the drink a nobility.
"Metaxa" 12 stars is a brandy of 40% strength, which is infused for 12 years in oak barrels.
The Metaxa Grand Fin variety is an elite brandy with an aging period of 15 years. Packaging occurs in porcelain or ceramic bottles.
"Metaxa" Private Reserve is infused for 20-30 years. Despite the strength of 40%, it has a mild taste and rich aroma of honey, nuts, spices and oak. Sold only in Greece.
"Metaxa" AEN is an exclusive drink that has no analogues. The aging period in an oak barrel can reach 80 years. Each barrel of brandy, regardless of the variety, contains a couple of drops of Metax AEN. It has a unique taste and aroma of coffee, honey, almonds, herbs and spices.

How to drink?

At home in Greece, Metaxa is treated with special love; this drink is savored and drunk for a long time. There are many admirers of this brandy all over the world, which means that several ways to consume it have appeared.

The first way is to use it in its pure form. Brandy is served at body temperature, poured into liqueur glasses and drunk in small sips. It is in this way that you can fully enjoy the taste of the drink and feel the whole bouquet and aroma of brandy. From the first sips, waves of heat begin to spread throughout the body, and with each subsequent sips it intensifies. You can add a couple of ice cubes to the glass, but then the aroma of the drink will lose its brightness. It is recommended to add ice to Metaxa 5* brandy. Reviews from connoisseurs of this drink contain recommendations according to which it is not recommended to add ice to brandy aged more than 5 years, this will only worsen its taste.

It is customary to serve light snacks with Metaxa in the form of citrus fruits, grapes, canapés with caviar, milk chocolate, lettuce, cheeses and baked meat.

Brandy with a short aging period can also be slightly diluted with citrus juice or tonic in a 1:1 ratio. This is usually done to reduce the strength of the drink. "Metaxa" is added to hot tea and coffee. At the same time, tea with this drink is considered medicinal in Greece; it is taken for colds.

Bartenders also couldn’t stay away from this divine drink. "Metaxa" today is quite often used as a base for various cocktails.

Cocktails: recipes

If you want to get your blood flowing by getting a ray of sunshine, then Metaxa-based cocktails are the best solution.

"Greek Mojito"

It is based on the Greek "Metaxa", replacing it and the main composition has not changed. It includes:

mint (several leaves);
sugar - 20 grams;
lime - 1 pc.;
"Metaxa" - 50 ml;
soda - 1 glass;

"Metaxa Sour"

This is a cocktail from Spyros Metaxas himself:

orange and lemon juice in half (60 ml);
"Metaxa" - 50 ml;
soda - 100 ml;

Mix the juices, Metaxa and ice in a shaker for a minute, pour the cocktail into a glass up to 300 ml, and top up with soda.

"Alexandra"

The Alexandra cocktail was created in honor of Queen Alexandra, who ruled England at the beginning of the 20th century.

"Metaxa" - 30 ml;
- 30 ml;
"Baileys" - 30 ml.

Mix in a shaker and serve in a glass.

Bottom line

In conclusion, I would like to add that everyone who has not yet tried the luxurious Metaxa alcoholic drink should do so. It is not without reason that millions of connoisseurs of unique tastes prefer Metaxa brandy. Reviews from those who have at least once tasted this divine nectar say that brandy is worth going to the ends of the earth for. But in the modern world, nothing is impossible, and you can go traveling to taste Metaxa brandy even tomorrow. Or you can simply buy it in a store or order it online.

Greece is one of the first countries where people began to consciously produce alcoholic beverages. Alcohol has always been present in overripe berries and fruits. The ancient Greeks learned to cultivate grapes to produce wine.

Wine and grapes were under the protection of the god Dionysus. He was often depicted during a heavy libation, surrounded by satyrs and nymphs.

Metaxa - the most famous Greek brandy

The most famous Greek alcoholic drink. Metaxa is famous all over the world, but is produced only in Greece. Its recipe is very complex and secret, so buying a bottle of the original drink outside Greece can be risky and expensive.

The financial benefits are obvious. 7-year-old metaxa in Greece sells for 16-20 euros per 0.7 liter bottle. In Moscow you are unlikely to be able to buy it for less than 30 euros.

Metaxa is often called cognac. However, we like to call any brandy cognac. Citizens of the USSR were not very spoiled by imported alcoholic drinks, and such a tradition took root in our language.

Metaxa belongs to the class of brandy, by the way, like cognac itself. Cognacs are simply called varieties of brandy produced in France in the Cognac province.

The history of metaxa began with fish, no matter how paradoxical it may sound. Greek Spyros Metaxas was born into a family of fishermen, and his parents dreamed of him continuing the family business. But Spiros did not connect his future with fish and moved to the city, where he founded a company producing spirits.

He experimented a lot with different ingredients. Even cocoa and mastic came into his field of vision. He tried mixing different drinks, including vermouths, absinthe, wines and liqueurs. As a result of his searches, he received the recipe for a drink that is now called “metaxa”. This event is believed to have occurred in 1888.

The drink became popular in Greece, and later in other countries. They began to purchase it especially actively for import to the USA, where at that time there was another economic boom.

Spyros was assisted by his brothers Elias and George. The Metaxa production company is still a “family” company, which has made it possible to keep the secret of the drink’s recipe.

It is known for sure that the drink is a mixture of grape wine from three varieties of grapes and brandy made from grapes and black currants. Herbs are added to the mixture, exactly which ones are unknown, but there is information that rose petals are definitely used.

The drink is infused in special barrels, which the company buys in Italy. You can see them in the photo on the right. Depending on the exposure time, metaxa receives its “stars”.

Metaxa 3 stars is considered the lowest quality. Many Greeks say that this drink is only suitable for culinary purposes.

Metaxa 5 and 7 stars has excellent taste and this is the option we recommend for purchase during a trip to Greece.

Metaxa 12 stars already belongs to elite types of alcohol. Of course, it’s worth trying this drink, but the prices are already high.

Some alcohol lovers classify Metaxa as either cognac or brandy. In reality, it is an independent drink produced exclusively in Greece. The color of Metaxa is clearly defined as dark golden, the strength is 38% (in some sources 40%). This “ambrosia of Hellas” is bottled in its original shape. In Greece itself you can see the most exotic types of containers and types of contents (not exported).

Source of success

Metaxa was first bottled in 1888. The small family business (founder Spyros Metax) soon began to generate significant income. The drink is becoming popular outside the country of origin. Royals also liked the newfangled alcohol. In the century before last, “Greek cognac” was supplied to the reigning courts of Greece and Serbia, the Russian Emperor and the ruler of Ethiopia. In 1900, winemakers from the Balkan Peninsula supplied wine to the New World. Today, bottles with the coat of arms in the form of a coin on the label can be purchased in alcohol stores around the world.

Content recipe

Nothing complicated, except for one family secret of the creators. Muscat wine and herbal infusion are added to high-quality grape brandy. The composition of the last ingredient is a mystery. It is known that the tincture is supplemented with rose petals.

National technology

Metaxa is a true national product. The base alcoholic strength (brandy) is made from grapes harvested in Corinth, Attica (Greek provinces) and on the island of Crete. For blending, wine is used from varieties grown in Samos and Lemos (islands of the Aegean Sea). The product is aged for at least a year. A herbal infusion is added to the blend. The finishing line before bottling is six-month storage in oak barrels in the cold (- 6°C).

Stars about endurance and the best for yourself

The number of stars on the label will tell the buyer about the different types of Metaxa. Here everything is like in Russia - the duration of aging of grape alcohol is indicated by stars:

3 stars on the label - minimum aging period is 36 months;
5 stars - corresponds to aging for 5 years;
7 stars - seven years in oak barrels.

Bottles with stars (3-7) can be purchased outside of Greece. Older and elite varieties are not exported abroad.

On the domestic market

There are 2 types with the designation Reserve:

Grand Olympian- twelve-year aging;
Private- special container (crystal decanter) + 20-30 years in barrels.

Another type of Grand Fine, aged for 8-15 years, is bottled in ceramic jugs. AEN is the most exotic and expensive type of drink. The term of barrel imprisonment is 30-80 years.

Use wisely

Connoisseurs of the “pride of Greece” prefer to consume the pure product in small sips (savoring) from liqueur glasses. With this method, the bouquet of taste is most fully revealed. With the first sip, the body will feel a surge of warmth spreading in a soft wave. Sometimes a little ice is added to the glass, but it is not recommended to overuse it.

Dilute and add

How to drink Metaxa so that it is less strong? Citrus juices and regular tonic will come to the rescue (optimal proportion 1:1). It is not forbidden to use the product as a flavoring additive for coffee or tea (the latter option is considered medicinal in Greece). Dilute with mineral water and other alcohol is bad form.

Cocktail set

You can come up with a combination for a cocktail yourself, but a true connoisseur must know several classic recipes with strong alcohol from Greece.

Metaxa sour- it is believed that Spyros Metax himself had a hand in the recipe. In a shaker, mix ice, orange (30 ml) and lemon (20 ml) juices, brandy (50 ml). The mixture is poured into a tall glass and filled with sparkling water.

Alexandra- name of the British queen (reigned 1902-1910). For lovers of sweet alcohol. Mix cream (can be replaced with Baileys), chocolate liqueur and brandy in equal parts. Ice is not needed here.

Metaxa with tea- it's a cocktail! The base is chilled black tea (60 ml) added to a glass with mixed brandy (25 ml), orange juice (50 ml), lemon syrup (20 ml) and ice. Served with a straw.

Greek Mojito- the main and only difference is in strong alcohol (we replace Cuban rum with brandy from Hellas). The remaining ingredients and method of preparation remain unchanged.

About taste and snack

The powerful first flavor note is the aroma of dried fruits. It is explained by drying the grapes before preparing the main material - brandy. The nuances of the aftertaste - undertones of oak, a vanilla note and nutmeg - are signs of blending with wine, many years of aging in oak containers and additives in the form of herbal infusion.

When Spyros Metaxas created his small family enterprise for the production of alcoholic beverages, he did not even suspect that he would later go down in history, and the alcohol named after him would become elite and expensive.

Today Metaxa is known in more than 120 countries around the world and is among the top 100 famous and expensive alcoholic drinks. At the very beginning, manufacturers positioned Metaxa as, but later they began to attribute to it the properties and qualities of brandy, although experts and gourmets claim that this drink has many differences from brandy. Therefore, it was decided to call this drink simply Metaxa.

How to use Metaxa correctly?

In this matter, everyone makes their own decision, but as for elite and expensive drinks, there is a certain culture of their use, following the rules of which, you can get even more pleasure from the notes of aroma and taste, experiencing all the delights of Metaxa.

How to drink Metaxa correctly, in its pure form or mixing it with other drinks? This question is left to the discretion of each gourmet and each of them chooses the most acceptable method for themselves. Among the basic principles of drinking the drink are:

In its purest form. Metaxa is used brought to room temperature. Liqueur glasses are used for consumption, and the drink is drunk in small sips in order to get greater pleasure from the aroma and taste. Immediately after the first sip, a pleasant warmth spreads throughout the body, which becomes more noticeable with each subsequent sip. When adding ice to Metaxa for the purpose of cooling, there is a danger of losing some notes of taste and aroma. Connoisseurs of elite drinks claim that adding ice is only effective in Metaxa aged for 3 to 5 years.

With other drinks. To make Metaxa less strong, it is diluted with tonic or citrus juice, the proportion is 1:1. Metaxa can also be added to tea and coffee, but it is not recommended to dilute Metaxa with other alcoholic drinks or mineral water.

Cocktails. Common recipes that include Metaxa were invented by professional bartenders and today they are known and distributed throughout the world. You can try to prepare such a cocktail at home, but it is best to entrust it to real experienced professionals.

Metaxa - manufacturing technology

This alcoholic drink is made by double distillation of wine materials that come from three Greek regions: Crete, Corinth and Attica. After the distillation process is completed, the material is sent for aging in special oak barrels, and the aging time ranges from 3 to 15 years. After the end of the period, Metaxa is obtained, with a strength of 60 degrees, which is blended with varieties of Muscat wines and again sent for aging for at least 1 year. Various herbal infusions and rose petals are also added to the blend, and at the final stage the drink is aged in high-quality oak barrels for 6 months and only after this process is bottled into original bottles.