Metaxa
Metaxa is Greece's best-known spirit: smooth and amber-colored, made from aged grape distillate and sweet Muscat wine. Here you can read what Metaxa exactly is, what the stars on the bottle mean, how to drink it and which glass to use.
Grape distillate with Muscat wine and herbs
Metaxa comes from Greece. Spyros Metaxa started making it in 1888 in Piraeus, the port city of Athens. The house later moved to Kifissia, in northern Athens. Since 2000, the brand has belonged to the French drinks company Rémy Cointreau.
Metaxa starts as grape distillate that is aged in oak barrels. The distillate is blended with sweet Muscat wine from the Greek island of Samos and a mixture of Mediterranean herbs, including rose petals. This combination makes Metaxa smoother and sweeter than cognac or Spanish brandy. As a result, Metaxa may officially no longer be called brandy. In stores, however, it is still found among the brandies. The number of stars on the bottle indicates the aging: the more stars, the older and fuller-bodied it is.
In short
Which Metaxa do you choose?
Gall & Gall sells three bottles of Metaxa. The more stars, the longer it has been aged and the fuller the flavor.
Metaxa 5 stars
The most famous bottle, tall and slender, modeled after Greek columns. Smooth and fruity, with a dark honey color.
Metaxa 7 stars
Golden and fuller-bodied, with a sweet raisin flavor. The bottle is based on a Greek amphora, the jug in which wine was once stored.
Metaxa 12 stars
The oldest of the three. Rich and smooth, with honey, raisins and dried fruit. To sip slowly.
What is the difference between brandy, cognac and Metaxa? You can read about it on our brandy page.
Soft, sweet and fruity
Honey & raisins
Sweet and warm, with honey, raisins and dried fruit, and a floral note from the herbs and rose petals.
Soft and rounded
Softer and sweeter than most brandy, thanks to the Muscat wine. Fruity, with some vanilla and oak from the barrels.
Warm and sweet
Medium-long and warm. Longer with the 12 stars, with more oak and dried fruit.
Flavor profile of Metaxa 5 stars. The 7 and 12 stars are fuller, with more raisin and oak.
Three ways to drink Metaxa
Drink younger Metaxa with ice or as a long drink. Older bottles are best enjoyed neat.
Neat, from a cognac glass
Pour 3 to 4 cl at room temperature into a cognac glass and let it sit for a moment. This allows you to smell the honey and fruit. This works best with the 7 and 12 stars.
Glass: cognac glass →On the rocks
A few ice cubes in a tumbler make Metaxa fresher and less sweet. Delicious with the 5 stars on a warm evening.
Glass: tumbler →With ginger ale or tonic
Pour 4 cl of Metaxa into a highball glass with ice, top up with ginger ale or tonic, and add an orange wedge.
About ginger ale →Cocktails with Metaxa
You can use Metaxa in recipes that call for brandy. Because of its sweet note, you will often need a little less sugar.
Hot Toddy
Hot water, honey, lemon and a splash of Metaxa. Warm and smooth.
Metaxa Old Fashioned
An Old Fashioned with Metaxa instead of whisky. Use a little less sugar.
Sangria
Red wine, fruit and a splash of brandy. Metaxa adds a soft, sweet note.
Greek Mule
A Moscow Mule with Metaxa instead of vodka: lime, ginger beer and plenty of ice.The right glass for Metaxa
A cognac glass with a rounded bowl for drinking neat, a tumbler for Metaxa with ice, and a highball glass for mixing it. These are the glasses we recommend ourselves.
Everything you still wanted to know about Metaxa
Can't find your question here? Read more about brandy or view our cocktail recipes.
To brandy →What is Metaxa?
Is Metaxa brandy or cognac?
What do the stars on Metaxa mean?
How much alcohol is in Metaxa?
How do you drink Metaxa 12?
Which glass do you use for Metaxa?
Buy Metaxa
Want the bottle at home right away? Order Metaxa online from Gall & Gall.
Prices as of October 9, 2026, as provided by Gall & Gall. You can find the current price and availability at Gall & Gall. Glazen.nl receives a small commission if you buy something through these links; you pay nothing extra. No 18, no alcohol.