Behold: Beautiful Cocktails from Greece

When one thinks of cities with legitimate cocktail cultures, New York, London, and Tokyo come to mind. But Athens, Greece has a growing scene of its own. Just ask Athenian Molecular Mixologist, George Asimenos.

“It’s getting better by the year and there are certainly many places at the moment, in many different areas of Athens, where you can find a professionally made cocktail,” Asimenos says. “There are festivals and seminars throughout the year that have to do with mixology. Many bartenders participate in worldwide competitions on mixology.”

Asimenos works at Cepillo, a Spanish tapas bar. Located next to an art gallery, the Spanish joint in Athens draws inspiration from Salvador Dalí, well-represented in Asimenos’ smoky and surreal concoctions. Remember when looking through this gallery, “this cocktail is not a cocktail.”

Madina Papadopoulos is a New York-based freelance writer, author, and regular contributor to Paste. You can follow her adventures on Instagram and Twitter.

1 of 9 Infused tequila with chilly peppers, mango and molecular cube from passion fruit liqueur.

2 of 9 Alternative margarita smoked with lavender.

3 of 9 Vodka and pink grapefruit with rose molecular caviar.

4 of 9 Basil, gin, and cucumber with watermelon molecular caviar.

5 of 9 Lemon sorbet vodka mint and citrus molecular foam.

6 of 9 Appletini with molecular mandarin air.

7 of 9 Alternative mojito with cotton candy.

8 of 9 Rum fashioned smoked with cherry wood.

9 of 9 Passion martini with rose and coconut caviar.