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Chio Masticha Ouzo and Masticha Liqueur

Mastichato Chio (Greek: Μαστιχάτο Χίου; Μαστιχά λικέρ; Ούζο Μαστίχας) also known as Chios Masticha, (mastika, mastichat, mastikha, mastiha) and Masticha Ouzo is a Greek smooth mastic-flavored liqueur made out of resin, the Greek brandy based liqueur is native to the Aegean Island Chios, which is widely known for its Tears of Chio's Trees. The drink is consumed through out Greece and it is a related drink to Tsipouro, Tsikoudia (Raki) and Ouzo.

Mastic Liqueur is producted from the Chio's Mastic Trees which are well known for their medical and culinary uses. The liqueur is flavored with mastic and it has a sweet smell to it. The liquorice-flavored resin is found on the Greek island of Chios and is used in the Mediterranean and the Middle East regions as a spice. Often Chios mastic gum is part of the botanicals for ouzo, or it can be crushed and added to the distillate later. Recipes for the Chios Mastic liquer from scratch are hard to come by but there is a non-alcoholic Greek Mastic Syrup (ipovrichio/hypovrychio) which can be used as a basis of formulating a mastic liqueur:

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• juice 1/2 lemon
• 1 beaten egg white (used to clarify the boiling syrup)
• 2 and 1/2 tsp. Chios mastic gum

The mastic gum is crushed with 1/2 tsp sugar and added to the lukewarm syrup.

This is a modify interpretation of a Mastic Liqueur and Mastic Ouzo using a raw spirit or brandy and ouzo/raki:

• 3 cups alcohol (40% abv)
• 1 cup water
• 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups sugar
• juice 1/2 lemon
• 2 and 1/2 tsp crushed Chios mastic gum

• 750 ml ouzo/raki (or flavor vodka with 1 tbsp whole aniseed)
• 2 tsp Chios mastic gum
• 1-2 tsp sugar
• Crush mastic gum with sugar and add to alcohol

• Greek cuisine
• Greek food products