Ouzo is a strong, white, distilled spirit, produced from molasses and aniseed using the fractional distillation technique. The Messinian ouzo, in particular, is a traditional drink, which is exclusively produced by distilling aromatic plants and seeds such as anise, fennel, star anise, and coriander. Some local producers add mastic (mastiha), a little cardamon, garden angelica and a little nutmeg. There are many varieties of ouzo depending on the added aromatic substances and according to the recipes of old family producers of ouzo. Ouzo is a Protected Designation of Origin product of Greece, a fact that prohibits any other country from using the name.Ouzo can be drunk straight but it is usually consumed with ice or water. Adding water gives ouzo a cloudy white color, which is due to aniseed oil.