The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge is back for its seventh edition.
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto invites bartenders from across the globe to reimagine a new way to Spritz.
Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from any form of art – such as painting, sculpture, music, architecture, or fashion – to craft a drink that embodies creativity and sophistication, whilst demonstrating the spirit’s versatility and distinctive bergamot essence.
This year’s global winner will earn the title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2025 and embark on an exclusive mentorship programme that includes access to the most prestigious bar industry events worldwide.
The winner will have the opportunity to work alongside Lorenzo Antinori, from the celebrated Bar Leone in Hong Kong – ranked #1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and #2 globally.
Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of ITALICUS, says this year’s focus on reimagining the spritz reflects the brand’s commitment to keeping the ritual fresh, exciting and relevant.
“With Lorenzo Antinori as our partner and a grand final in Europe, the 2025 challenge will undoubtedly showcase the extraordinary talent of bartenders worldwide.”
Programme overview
Launched in 2018, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge celebrates the belief that bartenders are artists, offering them a platform to showcase their creativity, experiment with innovative ingredients and techniques, and highlight the versatility of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto.
This year, the competition expands its global reach, welcoming participants from 10 countries: France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, UK, USA, and a Wild Card entry open to bartenders from other nations.
Competitors are tasked with creating an original spritz cocktail using a minimum of 40ml ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto and no more than five ingredients.
Entrants must submit their recipe, including an image of the cocktail, detailed measurements, garnishes and glassware specifications, via the competition website by 28th April, 2025.
Competitors are also required to share the inspiration behind their aperitivo creation.
Applications open February 10th, 2025, and can be submitted online at www.artofitalicus.com.
National and global finals
National Finals will take place between May and June, where eight shortlisted bartenders per country will have eight minutes to present their creations to a judging panel.
Each bartender must deliver at least four consistent serves of their cocktail. Winners of the national finals will advance with an all-expenses paid ticket to the global finals.
The Global Final will be held in Europe at the beginning of July (date to be confirmed), where national winners will compete to be crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2025.
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