Greece has been quietly making some of the best amber spirits around since 1888, and this Old Fashioned twist is proof. Just three ingredients, Metaxa 12 Stars, honey syrup, and Angostura bitters, come together for a spirit forward sipper that’s every bit as satisfying as the classic. It’s a guaranteed hit with dark spirit fans, best enjoyed over ice and garnished with a slice of orange and a twist of lemon zest.
Metaxa’s story starts with Spyros Metaxa, a young Greek silk merchant who set out to create something no one had tasted before. What he landed on in 1888 was a blend of aged wine distillates, Muscat wine from Samos, and a bouquet of Mediterranean botanicals, aged in oak. The result sits somewhere between brandy and something entirely its own, with notes of caramel, dried fruit, and a gentle warmth that makes it a natural for cocktails like this one.
Honey syrup is the quiet hero of this drink. Metaxa already carries those soft honey and caramel notes from its Muscat wine base, so the syrup doesn’t compete with the spirit, it just leans into what’s already there. A few dashes of Angostura bitters add the spice and depth an Old Fashioned needs, and the orange and lemon zest brighten the whole thing up.
This one’s lovely on its own by the fire, but it also stands up beautifully alongside something rich, think aged cheese, dark chocolate, or a plate of cured meats. If you’re hosting, it makes a wonderful conversation starter since so few guests will have tried Metaxa before.
If you love this one, don’t miss the Metaxa Negroni and Metaxa Sour too, both built on the same gorgeous Greek brandy.
Why Lush Life Loves It
This one’s a favorite because it proves you don’t need a cabinet full of ingredients to make something genuinely special. Metaxa is criminally underused behind bars outside Greece, and this Old Fashioned shows exactly why that’s a shame, it brings its own honey and caramel sweetness to the glass so the whole drink feels effortless. Three ingredients, five minutes, and a spirit that gives your guests something new to talk about.
Here is the recipe
Metaxa Old Fashioned 1888
Ingredients
- 60 ml METAXA 12 Stars
- 10 ml honey syrup
- 3 dashes of angostura bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a double old fashioned glass and stir
- Garnish with orange and lemon zest