This text is part of the article “And the Living is A-Z”, published in Greece-Is Athens, Summer 2018 Edition. By Paulina Björk Kapsalis, Maria Coveou, Nena Dimitriou, Alex King, Maria Korachai, Pagona Lipsati & Alexandra Tzavella.

Though Greeks are famous for their iced coffee invention called frappé, bear in mind that the frappé’s heyday is over; we now pride ourselves on a newer invention, the freddo; this is an espresso that’s shaken with ice (and sugar to your preference), and served with or without foamed milk. No matter how you take yours, it’s far easier, thanks to Athens’ blossoming high-quality coffee scene, to find good iced coffee here than in most cities.

Athenians spend uncountable hours sipping iced coffee made with third-wave espresso at cafés that pride themselves on the quality of their brews, which often sell for less than €3. Try a freddo made with specialty coffee beans at the city’s first specialty coffee shop Taf (7-9 Benaki); at the micro-roastery Peek a Bloom (14 Lekka); at 2 Goulies & 2 Boukies (8 Dragatsaniou); or at The Underdog (8 Iraklidon) in the Thiseio area; Keep an eye out, too, for the latest trend: attractive biodegradable straws.