Mastiha and Basil Spritz

“With a sweet and aromatic woodiness and refreshing taste, mastiha is the resin released from the skinos tree in Chios, [Greece], also known as the ‘mastic island,’ explain Helena and Vicki Moursellas in their cookbook Peináo: A Greek Feast for All.

“Famous for its healing properties, mastic is one of the most ancient superfoods. A couple of years ago at our favourite beach bar in Fourka, the bartender served us this cocktail. Straight after finishing it we asked him if we could put the recipe in our next cookbook.” The sisters use the Skinos brand of mastiha, which you can find easily online or in liquor stores.

Mastiha and Basil Spritz

A refreshing Greek spritz made with mastiha liqueur, fresh basil, lemon, honey and soda water.

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Equipment

• cocktail shaker

Ingredients

• 2 tsp honey
• 2 tsp boiling water
• 100 ml Skinos Mastiha Spirit
• 2 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 handful basil leaves
• ice cubes
• 1 can club soda to top

Instructions

 

• In a small bowl, combine the honey and boiling water. Stir to dissolve and cool.
• Add the mastiha, lemon juice, basil leaves, honey mixture and a small handful of ice cubes to a cocktail shaker and shake until well combined.
• Strain into two tall glasses filled with ice cubes, top with a splash of soda water and garnish with extra basil leaves.

Keyword Basil cocktail, Greek spritz, Mastiha liqueur cocktail, Mastiha Spritz

What is Mastiha?

Mastiha (also called mastic) is an aromatic resin harvested from mastic trees on the Greek island of Chios. Its distinctive herbal, piney flavour is used in foods and spirits, including mastiha liqueur. In this spritz, its botanical flavour is balanced with lemon, basil, honey and soda water.

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Helena and Vikki Moursellas' recipe for a fluffy, focaccia-like Greek bread with garlic confit oil, lemons and thyme.

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Sesame Dark Chocolate Cookies

Helena and Vicki Moursellas share their recipe for Greek chocolate chip cookies with tahini and sesame seeds.

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Excerpted from Peinao.