SB meets… Alexandra Tsatsouli, Bartenders Society 2025 winner
Alexandra Tsatsouli’s talent behind the bar has allowed her to combine two of her biggest passions: creating cocktails and travelling the world. We sat down with the 2025 winner of The Bartenders Society cocktail competition at the end of last year to learn more about her story and future ambitions.
What was it like winning The Bartenders Society 2025 cocktail competition?
It was life-changing. I had been in the bar industry for just a year and a half, so it was crazy for me. I had just started figuring out how I fit into this industry and that actually, maybe I’m good at it, and then this competition comes along.
It was a great experience to collaborate with Saint James [agricole rum] and the beautiful people from the company, they helped me so much.
What did you do before you got into bartending?
I was a waitress for like 10 years in restaurants and hotels. I was really good with communication and with people, and I was really comfortable talking to guests. So, then a friend of mine was head bartender at a really good bar in Athens and said, ‘We would like to try something with you’. I thought, ‘OK, why not?’ And here we are today.
What is it about hospitality and bartending that you love?
To be honest, my favourite part of hospitality is to travel the world and meet people from all over the world, and learn about places, cities, other culture, other food and drinks. For example, when you come to Greece, we are really friendly, we really want you to try our spirits, our food. I love that in hospitality because you can meet people from all over the world and learn something.
I remember when we met in Martinique you said you had a goal to celebrate your birthday abroad every year…
Yes, it was a wish I made about two years ago. I was with my friends and I told them I didn’t want to stay in Athens and do a party. I want to travel. So, I went to my really good friend in Zurich, and then another really good friend came to visit us in Barcelona. And I told them, ‘Girls, every year, on my birthday, I want to be somewhere different in the world. I don’t care where, just somewhere’. And this year [2025] I was in Martinique, which was amazing.
What do you think is the key to really good hospitality?
For me, I learned to interact with people from all over the world. When you put yourself in their position, and think about yourself as the customer and travelling the world, you’re looking to try something different and there are friendly people serving you – maybe it’s a smile or really good service, or a really good drink – I think they remember that, and the good time they had. And hopefully, it makes them want to go again, or tell their friends to go, and that’s how you start to build communities.
In Athens right now, I think the level of hospitality and drinks is really high. There are so many ideas, so many young people who are really excited about the industry, and there’s all this energy being put into make some incredible drinks and experiences.
Where did your interest in flavour come from?
It’s something I had from when I was young. When we would travel, I really loved to try different things. I was lucky enough to travel with my parents when I was little and I really wanted to taste everything, and try new foods. I take a lot of inspiration from chefs – and actually, the idea for my mocktail in the competition came from a dish my partner, who’s a chef, was talking to me about.
What trends are you seeing in Greece at the moment?
We are trying to bring the flavours of Greece and the Mediterranean to life, which I love. I love savoury tastes, spirit-forward drinks with salt. Tomatoes are a really good partner in cocktails. We’re really lucky to be in Greece because we have so many products, so many fresh ingredients we can play with in our cocktails. You can take a classic recipe and do whatever you want to do with all of these local ingredients. That’s really fun.
What are your plans and ambitions for 2026?
I’m currently freelancing as a bartender, and my friend and I really want to try and create a space combining art and the bar. We want to do some workshops, some art exhibitions, and to meet people from both industries. And of course, I’d like to take every chance I can to travel. Argentina is really high on my list, and Buenos Aires.
Related news
Desi Daru extends cocktail competition deadline
