Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge Returns for 2025 in Pursuit of the Next Modern Spritz

NEW YORK, NY (February 10, 2025) – Today, the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge returns for its seventh edition and this year promises to set new benchmarks for creativity and innovation. Following the success of previous editions, ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto invites bartenders from across the globe to reimagine a new way to Spritz. With a bold new challenge and a prestigious prize, the 2025 competition is poised to enrich aperitivo culture to new heights.

This year’s global winner will earn the coveted title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2025 and embark on an exclusive mentorship program that includes access to the most prestigious bar industry events worldwide. The winner will have the opportunity to work alongside the talented Lorenzo Antinori, from the celebrated Bar Leone in Hong Kong—ranked #1 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024 and #2 globally. Lorenzo will use his innovative approach to help inspire and guide participants throughout the competition with his unparalleled passion for the aperitivo culture and storytelling through cocktails.

“As we celebrate the seventh edition of the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge, we continue to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation in the aperitivo tradition,” shares Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of ITALICUS. “This year’s focus on reimagining the Spritz reflects our commitment to keeping the aperitivo ritual fresh, exciting and relevant. With Lorenzo Antinori as our partner and a grand finale in Europe, the 2025 challenge will undoubtedly showcase the extraordinary talent of bartenders worldwide.”

“The Spritz is synonymous with the aperitivo tradition and has acclaimed global popularity thanks to its light, refreshing character and versatility,” says Roberta Mariani, Advocacy Director for ITALICUS. “As appreciation for the Spritz continues to grow, ITALICUS leads the way, championing quality, diversity and artistry in the aperitivo movement.”

Through this year’s challenge, ITALICUS invites bartenders to innovate while honoring the timeless appeal of the 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 while demonstrating the spirit’s versatility and distinctive bergamot essence.

Program 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.

The ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year will be crowned the 2025 Global Winner of the Aperitivo Challenge. The winner will also embark on a once-in-a-lifetime mentorship program with ITALICUS and Lorenzo Antinori, gaining access to the most exclusive bar industry events around the world from 2025 to 2026. Additionally, they will join a community of trailblazing bartenders who are re-shaping the art of the aperitivo.

Competitors are tasked with creating an original Spritz cocktail using a minimum of 1.5oz of 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 April  28, 2025. Competitors are also required to share the inspiration behind their aperitivo creation. Applications open February 10, 2025 and can be submitted online. Participants are encouraged to share their creations on social media using the hashtags: #ITALICUS #ROSOLIODIBERGAMOTTO #ARTOFITALICUS #AOI25.

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 the ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2025. This event will highlight the most creative and artistic Spritzes globally, pushing the boundaries of aperitivo culture.

Supporting U.S. Charity: Another Round Another Rally & Imbibe

ITALICUS is proud to collaborate with Another Round Another Rally and Imbibe. Another Round Another Rally is a nonprofit organization providing support for hospitality workers through educational programming and financial aid. Imbibe, a leading drinks publication, celebrates creativity and excellence within the beverage industry. Together, they will oversee the U.S. applications, enhancing the challenge’s impact.

For more information on The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge 2025. 

Instagram: @italicusrdb 

Facebook: @ItalicusAperitivo 

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

SRP: 

ITALICUS Rosolio Di Bergamotto is available in a 750ml bottle from retailers including Curiada  ($41.99), Total Wine & More ($41.99), Spec’s ($34.73) and Eataly, 20% ABV.

About the ITALICUS® Aperitivo Challenge 

The Art of ITALICUS challenge started in 2018, as a Bartenders’ program to honor that bartenders are artists. The challenge was created as an advocacy platform, amplifying awareness and connecting creative bartenders globally, through educational and innovative programs.

About ITALICUS® Rosolio Di Bergamotto

ITALICUS was created by the authority on Italian spirits, Giuseppe Gallo, to bring back the forgotten Rosolio category. With key notes of Calabrian bergamot, ITALICUS is made using the finest Italian ingredients to create a sip of Italy. The striking bottle design embodies the history and heritage of Italy’s distinctive regions, while telling the story of Rosolio’s time-honored traditional drinking occasion of Aperitivo. 

ITALICUS is one of the top awarded aperitivo brands globally. ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto was awarded Best New Spirit 2017 at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards, and Top Trending Liqueur Brand by Drinks International in the years from 2019 to 2025. 

Additional awards include: BEST APERITIVO – Drinks International 2023; PLATINUM – Plant-Based Excellence Awards 2024; DOUBLE GOLD - World Wine Spirits Trophy 2021; Italian Aperitif of the year GOLD MEDAL - NYISC 2021 and 2016; Tasting GOLD medal 2018, 2019 – Women & Wine and spirits awards; Best New European Spirit at the Mixology Awards 2017 in Berlin; Best Product at FIBAR 2017; Packaging awards GOLD MEDAL 2017 and Contemporary Awards TROPHY - International Wine & Spirits Competition 2017; Packaging Trophy - Harpers Design 2017; Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017; Platinum Best of Luxury – Pentawards 2017; Best New Product – Bar Awards 2016; EXCEPTIONAL quality certificate – Difford’s Guide 2016.

About Giuseppe Gallo

Giuseppe Gallo is a renowned spirits expert and innovator in the drinks industry, celebrated for his deep knowledge of aperitivo culture and vermouth. Hailing from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, his passion for mixology is rooted in his Italian heritage. Over his 15-year career, Giuseppe has earned global recognition, including winning ‘International Ambassador of the Year’ at the Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards and dubbed the ‘Entrepreneur Behind the Summer’s Hottest Spritz’ by Forbes. He is the creator of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and founder of SAVOIA Vino Aperitivo.