THE TEAM
In Defense of Bubbles
About Us
What happens when a graduate of computer science meets an economics and business major, a marketer and a business graduate in a bar? A scientific explosion of bubbles! A group of business graduates-bartenders met along their way to life. They shared a similar lifestyle and career orientation but most importantly they shared the same one passion, the passion to mix perfect drinks. They got together a few times, they discussed their dreams, ideas and visions and soon they realized that there was a product missing from the bar market, a product they were determined to invent themselves if they had to. They needed to create a product that could balance the ingredients of a cocktail or a long drink while bringing out its flavors and aromas and still maintain its fizziness. So, they gradually slipped into a fizz craze, studying, testing, experimenting all there is to know about carbonation and bubbles, attending seminars of Darcy O Neil in Tales and reading books on carbonation such as Fix the Pumps. After doing their research and advanced reading they were all mesmerized by the journey of bubbles especially at the time of Great Depression when soda bars became popular. During that period soda fountains created soft drinks based on carbonated water as it was the cheapest drink anyone could ever get at two cents and was therefore called Two Cents Plain. When syrup was added to that drink to enhance its flavor, its price was set to Three Cents and that’s where the name of Three Cents was inspired from. Due to their experimental nature and bartending background, Three Cents came to a point where they could fully understand carbonation, they could fully realize what makes a great drink and how to properly pour tonic over gin so as to not lose any bubbles. The only thing that was missing from the equation was the perfect cocktail mixer and so they’ve developed Three Cents Artisanal Beverages. A line of Premium beverages made of all natural ingredients with no preservatives and no artificial coloring created by carbonating water in very high pressure to ensure long lasting carbonation and flavor.
So, lets meet the founders!
Vassilis Kalantzis
Graduated from DEREE College with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management (1988).
More than 20 years of experience in mass catering industry while being the owner of numerous bars/ coffeshops/ restaurants in Athens and his hometown, Corinth (En Delfois, Act, Mommy, Manteio, Africa).
Owner and Founder of Granikal and Co-owner of Umami, Greek importing/ distributing companies of spirits, coffee and consumable products for the Ho.Re.Ca business.
Instigator and founding cornerstone in Three Cents, by contributing in the infrastructure of the company and by putting in front his leading figure and prestige towards the market.
George Bagos
Graduated from Technological Educational Institution of Athens with a degree in Business Administration (2010).
12 years of active involvement and experience as a bartender (Pereubu, Egomio, Kitchen Bar, A for Athens, Dos Agaves, Theory Bar), winner in numerous competitions (Young Bartender 2008, Finlandia Cup 2009, Disaronno Mixing Star 2010) and a leading figure in the community of bartending.
Brand Ambassador of ILLVA SARONNO for South Europe and Middle East, and trainer/tutor in various educational carriers as Bar Academy Greece and Le Monde.
Inspiring partner and founding member in Three Cents, by sharing his valuable experience in drinking strategy planning and marketing-wise point of view on bartending trends.
George Tsirikos
George Tsirikos
Graduated from Technological Institute of Computer Science (2008).
Active involvement and experience as a bartender and bar manager since 2006 both in Greece and UK (Bardot, Purl London, 360 degrees), global presence/winner in various competitions (Skinos Mediterranean Challenge 2011, Angostura Cocktail Challenge 2011, Disarrono Mixing Star 2011) and a forward-thinking bartender innovating in modern cocktails and high-volume service.
Founding member in Three Cents, by deploying his scientific point of view on drinks, cocktails and homemade ingredients and forward-thinking techniques along with supporting the team’s CIS platform.
Dimitris Dafopoulos
Graduated from Athens University of Economics and Business with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication (2012).
Active involvement and experience as a bartender since 2007 (Tziz, The Bank Job, Dos Agaves, The Clumsies) and On Trade specialist/consultant in Vassilis’ company Granikal (Spirits and liqueurs importing-distributing) since 2013.
Founding member and key-partner in Three Cents as the connecting link between the four men and by taking charge of the laborious task of communication, public relations and exporting activities of the team.
Awards
Great Taste Award / 2015
Great Taste, organized by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink or else the ‘Oscars’ of the food world. In 2016 over 400 judges from the food and drink industry from all corners of the world shared their knowledge and expertise and voted for the best products of the year while blindfolded. 3 of Three Cents products (Ginger Beer, Lemon Tonic, Two Cents Plain) were awarded with one star for 2015.
World’s 50 Best Bars Annual Report / 2016-2017
The Drinks International Annual Bar Report looks to gauge the buying habits of the best bars in the world by conducting a survey of their owners, head bartenders and bar managers.
The bars that took part – what we refer to as the best bars in the world – voted Three Cents tonic range as their 5th top trending brand. We feel this is a great honor for us, coming from some of the industry’s best bars and leading experts.
Difford’s Guide Outstanding Quality Award / 2015
Difford’s Guide is considered one of the most reliable sources of information for product tastings. On November 2015 4 of Three Cents products (Pink Grapefruit Soda, and all the tonics) received the highest rating with 5+/5, an outstanding record as no other soda or tonic has achieved this rating up until then. Three Cents Pink Grapefruit Soda was also awarded the Quality Certificate honoring its outstanding quality and production methods.
Mixology Bar Awards / 2016
The MIXOLOGY BAR AWARDS are the leading awards of the bar industry in the German-speaking world honoring excellence in a variety of categories relating to the bar industry in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In 2016 European award categories were added. Three Cents Aegean Tonic was nominated for Best New European Product. The only non-alcoholic product in the nominees.