Behind the Cocktail Menu
Every cocktail bar in Oia, has more or less the same drinks on its menu. Mojito. Aperol Spritz. Espresso Martini. There is nothing wrong with these drinks. They’re perfect on a hot summer day. But here, on this magical terrace right on the Aegean, far from any ordinary produce-growing land, it feels wrong to serve such unoriginal concoctions.
We collect specific ingredients from the island to build our cocktails. Not as a concept. As a literal starting block. We source Mastiha from Chios, Santorini chilli, capers from the cliff sides and Assyrtiko from the local vineyards, combine them with a variety of Greek herbs to create our cocktails at the bar in Oia Gefsis.
Our cocktail list wasn’t developed over the course of a single week. It was developed and redeveloped over the span of several seasons, following a long and unforgiving process of trial and error and tweaking and refining until each recipe felt right. The ones that earned their place on the menu are still there.
// SIGNATURE MIXED DRINKS
LO (Low-alcohol)
Our Signature Cocktails
Every drink on the list has a reason for being there. There is a list of a few cocktails that guests come back for specifically:
Volcanic Spiced Margarita — made with Topanito blanco tequila, caper, balsamic fig and a pinch of Santorinian chilli. Never had a margarita with caper before? Well, now you will have a new reference point. This is a completely savory and warm cocktail that perfectly captures the spirit of Santorini.
The Mastiha Fresh — Axia mastiha spirit, gin, grapefruit, pink peppercorn, salt. Mastiha is one of those Greek ingredients that most visitors haven’t run into before. Clean, resinous, very aromatic. This cocktail is a good way to get your feet wet with the ingredient and it’s especially good the second time you order it.
The House Negroni — not a standard Negroni by any measure. Built on four different vermouths, barrel-aged gin, and house-made bitters. This recipe took time to develop and we’re protective of it. For good reason.
Our take on the Espresso Martini is called a Signature Espresso Martini. It is comprised of vanilla vodka, espresso and carob, nutmeg. We added carob to the mix of this beverage because carob is native to the Greek Greek islands and adds a richness to the drink, however carob is not there when using an espresso martini in its traditional form.
Cleverly named the Clarified Mai Tai, this is rum, orange, orgeat, and falernum, clarified with a milk wash. A drink that will impress you with its artistry as much as its flavor.
Our favourite cocktail on the menu is the Volcanic Spiced Margarita. The Volcanic Spiced Margarita is made with Topanito blanco tequila, caper, balsamic fig and Santorinian chilli — and it is nothing like any margarita you have ever had before. It is savoury, warm, slightly smoky and completely tied to this island. One of those drinks that makes you stop mid-sip and think about what you are actually tasting.
Oia Gefsis Mocktails
NO (Non-alcohol)
What Makes Our Bar Different
There are plenty of bars in Oia serving drinks. And then there are bars with bartenders that actually understand flavors, balance, mixology and how to combine the flavors of the island with international spirits. Our bartenders have been brought up with Greek spirits such as mastiha, tsipouro and ouzo and that knowledge is reflected in the cocktails they shake.
We are also deeply connected with the kitchen. We use the local products in the bar, as we do in our food table – Santorinian chilli, island herbs, handmade syrups. The cocktail bar in Oia and the restaurant are not two different places but one entire system that works in synergy. They share the same values and principles: to use the products of the island with respect and in a simple way.
Where the bar and kitchen become one, Oia Gefsis is that sort of place where your pre-sunset cocktail can turn into dinner, and your dinner can turn into a night out.
When to Come
Oia Gefsis is Open from April to October from 09:00 until 22:00 you can enjoy cocktails at any time but there’s something very special about drinking them in the early evening on the terrace. The light is different, the atmosphere of the village starts to ease and a cocktail in hand just makes everything OK. Ask us about Sunset hour. It’s obviously a very popular time so it’s always a good idea to pre-book.
Book Your Table
In order to avoid long waiting lists or risking of not being able to find an available stop last minute please make sure you book your table in advance because most of the times is not an easy task to find a able at oia Gefsis in the peak of the season. Make sure that in order to book a table you can only do that if you combine drinks with food.
