Mastiha, the renowned resin from the Greek island of Chios, is experiencing a surge in popularity on social media as a favored base for refreshing summer cocktails. Bartenders and enthusiasts alike are sharing creative recipes that highlight this unique ingredient, often dubbed the “white gold” of Chios.
Historically, mastiha liqueur has remained a niche spirit, overshadowed by more widely consumed aperitifs. However, recent efforts by emerging premium brands to elevate its profile, coupled with growing consumer awareness of its distinctive flavor and health benefits, have contributed to a rising cult following. The spirit is increasingly featured on cocktail menus not only in Greece’s upscale beach clubs but also in major cities worldwide, including New York and Los Angeles.
Among the diverse array of mastiha-based cocktails gaining traction is the “Cleopatra,” which combines one ounce of mastiha with peach vodka, peach nectar, grenadine, and garnishes of orange and cherry, creating a vibrant and summery drink. Another innovative mix blends rum, mastiha, and coffee, showcasing the resin’s versatility in cocktail crafting.
Mastiha’s reputation has undergone a significant transformation. Once considered a humble after-meal digestif consumed primarily within Greece, it is now recognized as a sophisticated spirit with a rich cultural heritage. Its unique qualities stem from the mastic tree, or lentisk, which exclusively “bleeds” the aromatic resin on Chios—now legally protected as a product with a “protected designation of origin” by the European Union.
Known as the “Tears of Chios,” mastiha resin has been harvested since antiquity for both its flavor and therapeutic properties. The hardened resin, traditionally chewed like gum, is credited with digestive benefits and skin rejuvenation. This rarity and multifaceted use have maintained mastiha’s status as a precious and highly sought-after commodity through centuries.
As mastiha continues to carve out a place in global beverage culture, its legacy as the “white gold” of Chios is solidifying, bringing this ancient Mediterranean treasure to a new generation of consumers and cocktail aficionados.
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