Mastika is a strong anise-flavored liqueur from Greece, Bulgaria, and North Macedonia. It is made by infusing ethanol with aniseed and mastic resin. The standard alcohol content is at least 47%.
How it is made
The spirit is produced by infusing ethanol with anethole, an oil extracted from anise, fennel, or star anise. The drink contains at least 2.5 grams of these aromatic components per liter and at least 40 grams of sugar per liter. Mastika resin is added to the mixture. In Greece, the spirit contains about 20 other spices, including cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom.
Types and styles
Bulgaria defines Mastika as a spirit with at least 47% alcohol. The drink is often served as an aperitif with mezze. In Greece, Mastika is a spiced spirit, while the term Mastika refers to the resin in other countries.
Adapted from the Russian Wikipedia article Мастика (напиток), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.