Monastic Origins · Grape Pomace Spirit
Tsipouro
Photo: Phso2 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0
Tradition credits Orthodox monks on Mount Athos with first distilling it in the 14th century, and in Thessaloniki's tsipouradika each new small carafe ordered usually brings a fresh plate of meze.
Tsipouro is a strong, clear spirit distilled from grape pomace, sometimes flavored with anise, and traditionally served in small carafes alongside a spread of mezedes. Macedonia is one of the few Greek regions with EU-protected geographic status for the spirit.
Why it's made this way: Tsipouro's origin story ties it directly to the monasteries of Mount Athos in Macedonia, and the region remains one of the small handful with legally recognized tsipouro production today.
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