Chios Mastiha

Chios Mastiha is a Greek liqueur that is made with Masticha Chiou—a resinous sap of the Schinias tree. Although Schinias is found in other Mediterranean countries, the plant only produces resin on Chios, presumably because of the island’s unique microclimate.

The liqueur is made by macerating Chios mastic or Chios mastic oil in grain spirit or distilling it with alcohol. The combination is then diluted with water and sweetened before it is bottled. Chios Mastiha must have a minimum of 15% ABV. The process results in a clear and subtly sweet spirit with fresh notes of pine, anise, herbs, and citrus fruit.

The drink is usually enjoyed neat or on the rocks, occasionally with a squeeze of lemon or mixed with other fruit juices. Recently, it has also become a popular and versatile cocktail ingredient. In Greece, it mostly enjoyed as an aperitif or a digestif, and it is often accompanied by various meze dishes.