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Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge 2025
The winners!
This year's challenge invited bartenders to innovate while honouring the timeless appeal of the spritz. Participants were encouraged to draw inspiration from any art medium, including painting, sculpture, music, architecture, or fashion to create a Spritz that embodies creativity and sophistication while demonstrating the versatility of Italicus and its distinctive bergamot essence.
left to right: Jelena Bulatovskaja, Vincenzo Amorese, Connan Henry-Madden
We are delighted to share the news that Vincenzo Amorese, bartender at Bad Company 1920 in Madrid, Spain, triumphed at the global final, held at the Blue Gin Bar in Monte Carlo!
Vincenzo impressed the judges with his serve, 'Primavera Spritz', a cocktail inspired by Botticelli's Renaissance masterpiece Primavera. With a contemporary twist, the drink reflects society's current shift toward low-ABV options, minimalism, and modern technology - described by Vincenzo as a "new Primavera." The serve combined Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto with cava, an IPA reduction soda, a black olive and a spritz of Rosolio perfume - offering a vibrant and refined homage to both classical art and current cocktail trends.
Vincenzo takes the title of 2025 Global Champion of The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge and will embark on an exclusive mentorship programme, with access to leading international bar events, and working alongside Lorenzo Antinori, owner of the celebrated Bar Leone in Hong Kong - ranked #1 on Asia's 50 Best Bars 2024 and #2 globally.
Second place was awarded to Connan Henry-Madden from Un bar avec des formes pour Nom, in Bordeaux, France, for his cocktail 'Contemporary Spritz'. Connan drew from both tradition and innovation, delivering a hazelnut soda and Lambrusco Grasparossa blend that paid tribute to the Spritz's timeless essence while introducing a modern flair.
In third place, Jelena Bulatovskaja of Sexy Fish, London, represented the UK with 'Da Punto A Dotto', a drink inspired by the dotted artistry of Japanese contemporary icon Yayoi Kusama. Embracing minimalist Japanese aesthetics and the ritual of aperitivo, Jelena's modern serve combined Italicus with still sake, Nasha pear cordial, Suze and thyme hydrosol - carbonated for lift in place of traditional prosecco.
Giuseppe Gallo, Founder of Italicus, commented:
"This challenge continues to honour bartenders as the artists of our industry. Every year, we witness an extraordinary level of imagination and execution, and this year's focus on reimagining the Spritz has revealed just how far the aperitivo can go when guided by creativity and culture. This is more than a competition; it's a space to learn from one another, to share in a collective experience and to celebrate the creativity that makes our industry so unique."
With our very own Paloma Difford as one of the judges, alongside Giuseppe Gallo and Lorenzo Antinori, we had an amazing day in Monte Carlo with all the finalists. Congratulations! To view the all the winners, finalists and their recipes click on their photos below.
