Greece is a drinking country, strong alcohol is loved here no less than wine, and they know how to cook it. If ouzo, which we talked about, is an everyday drink, then metaxa brandy is booze for a special occasion, for aesthetes, and not only Greek ones. This thing is really tasty, it is in special favor with your obedient servant and a couple of million gourmets in more than 60 countries of the world.

The name "silk brandy" Metaxa owes a play on words, "metaksi" in Greek - silk.

Metaxa is included in the Top 50 most purchased alcohol brands. According to unconfirmed reports, this is the first alcohol that was tasted in space (is it really the Greek Germanus Titovuskas dragged on board?). Every minute in the world, bartenders pour 850 glasses of metaxa. And it's not for me. Eh...

At first, during the first wave of popularity at the end of the 19th century, the drink was positioned as the “Greek cognac Metaxa”. Later, with the spread of international law to protect regional brands, “cognac” was replaced by “brandy”. And now neither one nor the other is written on the bottle - the word "Metaxa" speaks for itself.

The drink is really neither cognac nor brandy, because, in addition to aged grape distillate, it contains additional components - wine, aromatic herbs and almost rose petals. The recipe, of course, is a strict secret, so shhh, no one. According to the modern metax master (this is the most important boss) Konstantinos Raptis, he chooses all the ingredients personally, aging and blending also takes place under his strict control.

Metxicosis is what the Greeks call an overdose of Metaxa.

"Aen Metaxa", "Metaxa Forever" - this is the name of the drink from the most ancient barrel, stored in the cellars of the company for more than 120 years. This brandy is used exclusively for blending; only the masters of the plant tried it in its pure form. Occasionally, the precious liquid is replenished from especially well-received new batches. Each bottle of metaxa, including the simplest "three-ruble note", contains at least a few drops from the very cherished barrel No. 1

Metaxa is based on brandy from wine produced in Crete, Corinth and Attica. The wines are mixed in special proportions and distilled twice on copper alambicas. The product is aged in Limousin oak barrels and then blended with another wine, this time Muscat, for extra smoothness and roundness. At the same stage, an infusion of aromatic herbs is introduced. After - again exposure. The total aging time starts from 3-7 years - for ordinary Metaxa - and finishes 12, 16, and even 50 years - for collection varieties.

In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spyros Metaxas

And 120 years ago, no one had heard of metax. The Greeks quietly sipped their ouzo and local chacha, praised the gods and did not know grief. Everything changed when a certain Spiros (in our opinion - Spiridon) Metaxas decided to open his own distillery in Piraeus. By the way, there is a legend that during the construction of the factory, workers found an ancient Greek coin depicting the warrior Salamis, which settled on the emblem of all drinks produced. It happened in 1888, and already in 1892 the first batches of the Greek cognac "Metax" were distributed throughout the country, and also went to Turkey and Egypt.

Spyros Metaxas is a significant and interesting figure. The comrade was a great aesthete, he was engaged in coffee, chocolate, spices. He also liked to drink. But the alcohol, which was then produced in Greece, was sharp and did not differ in particular harmony. Once Spyros drank some French cognac and sensed with his nose that in his native country you can make a drink no worse if you combine the velvety of aged brandy with the elegance of Greek wine and mountain herbs. The insight turned out to be prophetic.

For his bold experiment, Metaxas received a lot at once. George I, the then king of Greece and also not a fool to drink, having tried a new drink, immediately appointed Spyros as the official supplier of the royal court and rang about the amazing taste of metaxa to fellow monarchs from Serbia, Bulgaria, Germany, Ethiopia. Those, not wanting to yield to the enlightened Greek, also ordered a barrel each. And to the court of the Russian Emperor Alexander III, Metaxa came through the wife of George, Grand Duchess Olga Konstantinovna.

And off we go. In 1895, already 7 years after the opening of production - a medal of the international Bremen exhibition. In 1900, the first batch of metaxa sailed across the Atlantic and ended up in the States, where the drink, which contrasted so much with the disgusting bourbon, was immediately loved, dubbed for some reason “flying brandy”. In 1915 - the Grand Prix of the international exhibition in San Francisco. By the beginning of the First World War, Metaxa was known on three continents.

Metaxa is so popular in Greece that it has become part of the local sayings. For example, when it’s too late to do something, the Greeks say “τέλη του Μεταξά”, which means “late Metaxa”.

The case of Spyros Metaxas outlived its creator, two World Wars, and a wave that swept the world. In 1968, already the grandchildren of the discoverer - Ilias and Spiros Jr. - built a new plant in Kifissia, which to this day is the only production line for the Metaxa drink. 60% of the bottles produced here are sent to 60 countries of the world, and the remaining 40% are drunk by the Greeks themselves. Since 2000, the company has been part of the Remy Cointreau conglomerate.

Brandy Metaxa at home

It is difficult to reproduce Metaxa at home, but it is possible, although few people decide on such bold experiments, there are practically no exact recipes. What you can’t do without is high-quality alcohol (in this case, homemade cognac from wine) and a prepared oak barrel. Spices and wine are used simple and affordable, the author of the recipe believes that rose petals and other romantic nonsense are just a marketing ploy of the drink manufacturers.

So, for a 10-liter oak barrel you need:

• 60% grape distillate (best of all - from a white “cracker” of medium quality) - 7-8 liters;
• Icewein, Riesling or Tokay wine, white, sweet - 1 bottle;
• Rosehip - 0.5 cups;
• Carnation - 2 buds;
• Cinnamon - a piece 1-1.5 cm long;
• A quarter of a medium vanilla stick;
• A tablespoon of brown sugar.

The composition of spices can be varied. For example, connoisseurs distinguish notes of white pepper, nutmeg, dried fruits, cocoa, caramel in metax ... However, most of these aromas, with fair aging, can be imparted to the drink by oak.

Brandy Metaxa at home. Photo by shark1968

Preparing a drink is easy, but long. The distillate must be aged in a barrel for at least six months, after which it is diluted with good wine in a ratio of 10: 1, a bottle of wine for 7 liters, and poured into a barrel again. The mixture is infused again for another six months. At this time, you need to prepare a tincture on the same distillate, pour spices and cane sugar with 300 grams of alcohol and insist in a dark place for 2 months. Combine the filtered tincture with an aged wine-distillate mixture, let it rest in bottles for another 2 months, after which it can be tasted.

How and with what do they drink Metaxa?

Different Metaxa is drunk in different ways. An ordinary drink aged up to 5 years can be used in cocktails, it can also be diluted with water - like whiskey - or with ice. Technologist Konstantinos Raptis recommends using snacks such as chocolate, lemon, seafood, nuts, grapes, cheese, fresh lettuce, black caviar sandwiches.

7-year-old Metaxa is already better to taste as a digestif, adding a maximum of 1 ice cube to the drink, with very light snacks. It's quite classic here. And truly aged varieties from 12 years old are drunk only in their pure form, from wide glasses, heating the drink with the warmth of their hands. Metaxa goes well with cigars, it is easier and more pleasant to drink than brandy, thanks to its light liqueur taste and the famous velvety softness.

But the main thing is not to forget that you are holding in your hands a real masterpiece of distilling art, the pride of Greece, a living and breathing legend. Metaxa does not tolerate haste. It should be used exclusively in pleasant company, in tiny sips, setting your thoughts on a dreamy, even philosophical wave. Drinking thoughtfully, being attentive to nuances, it is easy to “catch” everything that connoisseurs appreciate in metax. Already after the second glass you begin to believe that this drink was made on the land where the gods once roamed.

The article uses materials from the websites grekomania.ru, The Way of the Gourmet (interview by Konstantinos Raptis) and the homedistiller forum (recipe from a user with the nickname shark1968).

Metaxa is a very popular strong Greek alcoholic drink.

This noble drink is based on distillates, that is, grape spirits and muscat grape wine, as well as various natural extracts.

Many people ask what is Metaxa is cognac or brandy.. It can be said that Metaxa – it's cognac and brandy, since distillers are at the heart of the manufacture of alcohol. Metaxa cognac is produced in several different stages.

At the first stage, an alcoholic drink is made using the same technology as brandy. For this, distillates of various grape varieties are taken.

After that, the drink is infused for a certain time, and then mixed with a small amount of muscat wine, which is made on islands such as Samos and Lemnos. The islands are in the Aegean Sea. After mixing distillates with muscat wine, a variety of Mediterranean herbs and spices are added, which manufacturers keep secret.

Brandy Metaxa is a very soft drink and softness is provided by muscat wine in its composition. Distillates can be stored in French barrels, which are made of Limousin oak, or in cellars. French barrels have fewer pores, which is why they are considered more suitable for storing distillates than North American barrels.

The history of the origin of the drink

Alcohol brand named after the first founder of the Metaxa plant. The founder of the plant is the Greek entrepreneur and trader Spears Metaxa. Spears was born on the island of Euboea.

Spears is not only the creator of the first Greek cognac, but he also founded the first distillery in 1888.

When Metaxa fell in love with a large number of connoisseurs of alcohol and became popular, Spears decided to open new factories in cities such as Istanbul and Odessa. Since 1990, Greek brandy has been exported to the US under the name Flying Brandy.

After Spears died, his family continued to manufacture Metaxa and did it quite successfully. In 1968, a new plant was opened in Kifisia, a suburb of Athens. The plant where Metaxa was made was awarded many different awards.

Range

Today, the Metaxa brandy plant produces the following types of alcoholic beverages:

1. Metaxa 7 stars.
2. Metaxa 5 stars.
3. Metaxa 12 stars.
4. Metaxa honey shot.
5. Metaxa private reserve.

Let's analyze the characteristics of each type:

Many people wonder with what they drink metaxa and how? There are several ways to consume Greek cognac. The first way is to take Metaxa in its pure form without adding any other ingredients and drinks. The second method of consumption is the intake of alcohol with other drinks. The third way is to use Metaxa in various cocktails.

Let's consider these methods in more detail.

First way. The drink is poured and drunk from liqueur glasses. Cooling alcohol in advance is not recommended, but it should be consumed at room temperature. This method is considered the most optimal, as it reveals the taste and aroma of brandy. With each sip, it seems that more and more heat spreads through the body. Many connoisseurs of the drink prefer to drink alcohol with ice, but with this combination, the aroma is practically not felt and this is important to consider. If Metaxa is aged for 4-5 years, then ice can be added to the drink.

As for snacks, such an appetizer as citruses and grapes is suitable for eating Metaxa in its pure form. The drink goes very well with milk chocolate and lettuce, as well as baked meat and various cheeses.

Second way. In order to reduce the strength of the drink, Metaxa is often mixed with tonic and citrus juice in a 1: 1 ratio. This type of Greek brandy is added to tea or coffee by many people. In Greece, the use of Metaxa with black tea is very popular and is considered medicinal. It is worth remembering that it is impossible to dilute Metaxa with carbonated drinks or alcohol in any case.

Third way. Very often, Metaxa is used as part of various cocktails. Bartenders from all over the world have come up with some very original cocktails in which Greek cognac plays an important role. Such cocktails are common throughout the globe.

Greek cognac Metaxa is a part of many cocktails. Cocktails that contain Metaxa as an ingredient are:

1. Greek mojito.
2. Metaxa sour.
3. Alexandra.
4. Metaxa with tea.

Greek mojito cocktail

To make a Greek Mojito, you will need the following ingredients:

• mint - 3 leaves;
• sugar - 2 teaspoons;
• lime - 1 piece;
• Metaxa - 50 milliliters;
• sprite - 80 milliliters;

The first step in making a Greek mojito is to add mint and sugar to a tall glass. After that, it is necessary to squeeze lime juice into a glass and mix everything gently. The next step is to add Metaxa itself and ice cubes. The final step is to fill the remaining space with the sprite.

Metaxa sour

This cocktail recipe was invented by Spyros Metaxa. The composition of the drink includes the following ingredients:

• orange juice - 30 milliliters;
• lemon juice - 20 milliliters;
• Metaxa - 50 milliliters;
• carbonated water - 100 milliliters;
• ice - 4 cubes.

In a shaker, mix ice, orange juice, lemon juice and Metaxa. The shaker should be half filled. Mix the ingredients in a shaker for 1 minute. After that, you need to pour the liquid from the shaker into a tall glass and add sparkling water to fill the remaining space.

Alexandra

This cocktail is considered to be created in honor of the English Queen Alexandra of Denmark. The Queen ruled the British Empire from 1902-1910. The ingredients in the drink are:

• Metaxa brandy - 30 milliliters;
• chocolate liqueur - 30 milliliters;
• Baileys liqueur - 30 milliliters.

Preparing an Alexander cocktail is very easy and will not take more than 5 minutes to prepare. All the ingredients that make up the drink must be mixed in a shaker, and then this mixture is poured into a glass. Since ice is not included in the cocktail, it must be served without ice.

Metaxa with tea

This drink is considered refreshing, although the name does not show it. The composition of the cocktail includes such components as:

• orange juice - 50 milliliters;
• lemon juice - 20 milliliters;
• Metaxa - 25 milliliters;
• cold black tea - 60 milliliters;

First you need to put ice in a glass, and then pour orange juice and lemon juice, as well as Metaxa. The next step is to add cold black tea to a tall glass. It is necessary to drink a drink through a straw.

Attention, only TODAY!

Hello friends! Today I invite you to sunny Greece, where one of the most popular alcoholic drinks in the world is created.

Metaxa!!! Such a cool word from our recent history. More recently, in the cool 90s, a bottle of metaxa was adequate to the normal payment for a great job. Wonder why?

But because at that time it was at least something real, normal - and it was a bottle of Metaxa. Real. Want to check it out? So ask a friend who is now over 60 - what does the word "metaxa" mean to them?!

Those who are younger - no need to ask. For them, the answer to the question: metaxa - what is it, is unequivocal: Greek cognac.

Although, this is not quite cognac, but a unique alcoholic drink made using cognac technology, from Muscat wines, with the addition of extracts of Mediterranean herbs. According to the composition, metax is more likely to be brandy, but there are also differences.

Moreover, real metaxa is aged in barrels made from one type of wood - French, or it is also called - Limousin oak. Its peculiarity is that the tree is very dense and the pores in it are several times smaller than in European oak.

By the way, huge forests of this kind of oak are specially planted in the USA, the wood of which is sold all over the world specifically for winemaking.

The history of the drink

In historical Greek chronicles, a strong alcoholic drink obtained by distilling muscat wine is mentioned more than 5,000 years ago. Each Greek island had its own recipe for making a drink.

A little over 120 years ago, one entrepreneur from the island of Euboea, Spyros Metaxa (in Greece, his last name sounds like Metaxas), decided to start a business in the production of Greek brandy.

Spiros and his sons studied all the recipes known at that time, based on them they came up with their own modern technology. And in the vicinity of the city of Piraeus, the construction of a large factory began.

When digging a foundation pit, workers found a large ancient coin made of pure gold, which depicted a warrior who participated in the legendary battle of Salamis, and a trireme ship. This fact was recognized as a good sign, and the owners of the plant decided to put the image of this coin on the label of the future drink.

The sons independently developed an exclusive bottle design - and in 1888 a new alcohol brand METAXA (in Greek it is written Μεταξά) was born. It was immediately included in the alcohol map of the royal palace of Greece, served at the table at the receptions of King George I.

And already in 1900, Metaxa, having confidently conquered Europe, including Russia, began to be exported to the United States. There the drink was called "Flying Brandy".

At the beginning of the 20th century, with the permission of Emperor Nicholas II, a factory was also built in Odessa, which produced Metaxa according to the original technology. Muscat wines were brought there from the Aegean islands of Lemnos and Samos.

Similar factories were opened in Cairo and Constantinople (Istanbul). But in 1968, a new, more modern plant was built on the outskirts of Athens, and all the others were closed. And now Metaxa is produced only in Greece - more than 12 million bottles a year are sold all over the world - in 50 countries.

By the way, the brand also owns the company Karelia Fine Tobaccos SA, also created by Spyros Metaxa in the same 1888. It produces tobacco products from local varieties of tobacco, including cigars for brandy brandy.

Today Metaxa is the most titled brandy in the world, having only gold medals at the most prestigious exhibitions. In the museum at the plant, in the place of honor, there is a large gold medal from Emperor Nicholas II.

In 1990, according to rumors, the company was bought by the alcohol group Diageo (Grand Metropolitan). But the Greeks assure that the company belongs to the descendants of the creator at 100%.

Metaxa manufacturing technology

The process is quite complex and multi-stage.

• First, on the skeletons of Attica, Crete and near Corinth, Muscat grapes are grown and wine is made from it. The wine is aged for at least 12 months. Only 3 varieties are used: Mavro, Savvatiano and Sultatina. Moreover, the grapes are not removed from the bushes until they wither in the sun.
• A distillate with a strength of 70 degrees is made from grapes. Proper double sublimation is one of the most crucial moments.
• At this time, new barrels of Limousin oak are being made in France, with a capacity of 300 and 500 liters.
• Wine alcohol is placed in these barrels for 3 years. During this time, it acquires a pleasant mild taste and golden color.

An interesting fact: for more than 70 years, a barrel of Metaxa with a volume of 6 tons has been stored at the plant. She even has a name - Spyros. It was laid by the grandson of the founder of the company. Every year, several tens of liters are taken from this barrel - for blending the most expensive Metaxa Private Reserve variety.

• Next, the aged alcohol is poured into a larger barrel and mixed with pure muscat wine from the islands of Lemnos and Samos to the desired strength of 38-42 degrees. Exposure is made for 1 or 2 years, depending on the variety of metaxa.
• The finished product is strongly cooled (up to -6 degrees) and filtered through activated carbon.
• Then vents are added to the barrels: these are various Mediterranean herbs and Hibiscus tea rose petals.
• Further, exposure is again carried out depending on the number of stars that will be indicated on the label.

Metax assortment

It is determined by years of aging: 3, 5, 7 and 12 years, as well as additional components in nominal varieties.

• Metaxa 3* (3-4 years old) is the most spicy variety, so it is drunk with ice to reduce the aroma.
• Metaxa 5* (aged 5-6 years) has a honey color and a fruity vanilla aroma. Pyramidal signature bottle.
• Metaxa 7* (7-11 years old) - the most popular variety, has a noticeable nutmeg aroma and rich color. A bottle in the form of an amphora.
• Metaxa 12* (12-17 years old) is an exquisite drink that is present on the tables during diplomatic receptions. In addition to the fruit-vanilla base, it has a light tobacco aftertaste. Metaxa 12 Stars was the first alcoholic drink in the world to go into space.
• Metaxa Honey Shot - with the addition of honey collected from tea rose plantations.
• Metaxa Private Reserve is the most expensive variety, to which a 70-year-old drink from the same 6-ton barrel is added. It has a deep amber color, exquisite aroma and is bottled in crystal. This variety is not exported at all, you can buy it only in Greece, and you still need to buy a license to export each bottle.
• Metaxa Angel's Treasure is the softest of all brandies, the ladies' version.
• Metaxa AEN is a new gift variety in a round box with an individual lock, upholstered in natural thin orange leather. Brandy aging - at least 80 (!) years. The strongest variety of all - 45.3%. Infused with red orange peel and roasted walnuts. Cost - for millionaires - from 80 thousand rubles a bottle.
  
• Metaxa Grand Olympian Reserve - Olympic series, aging from 8 to 15 years, bottled in special amphorae made of fine porcelain with Greek ornaments.
• Metaxa Grand Fine - exposure from 8 to 15 years, sold in opaque jugs of their ceramics. Gift grade.

What to drink Metaxa with

Basically, this drink is drunk in its pure form, from small glasses. Store at room temperature. The most suitable for snacks are lemon, orange, table grapes, milk chocolate, canapes with red caviar. You can also serve light salads, baked red meats and expensive cheeses.

There are also several popular metaxa-based cocktails.

1. Mojito in Greek: a piece of lime and 3 mint leaves are placed at the bottom of the glass, 2 tsp of brown sugar are sprinkled, the juice of 1 lime is squeezed out and easily rammed. 50 ml of metaxa, 100 ml of sprite and an ice cube are added.
2. Pram cocktail: 100 ml metaxa, 50 ml orange liqueur, 1 tsp. lemon juice.
3. Metaxa sour is a recipe created by the grandson of the founder of the company, Spyros Metaxas: for 50 ml of brandy, 30 ml of lemon and orange juice, 100 ml of tonic water and 3 ice cubes are taken.
4. Alexandra ladies' cocktail: pour 30 ml of metaxa, Baileys liqueur and chocolate liqueur into a shaker.
5. Cocktail Summer freshness: fill a tall glass completely with ice, add 50 ml of orange scoop, 20 ml of lemon syrup, 25 ml of metaxa and 60 ml of chilled tea without sugar.

Well, what can I tell you, friends! The mouth is full of saliva - right now the cocktail would go with a bang. Although I usually drink metaxa in its pure form, I like it better this way.

And for you, on the eve of the New Year and Christmas, I will prepare interesting information on how to prepare and drink grog - the most aromatic drink of all. Farewell to sim!