Italicus names Aperitivo Challenge 2022 winner

Italian brand Italicus has named Austria-based bartender Nathalie Wenko as the winner of its 2022 Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge.

The global final of this year’s competition took place on 29 May at W Hotel in Rome, Italy.

Wenko, of Die Parfümerie bar in Vienna, Austria, beat 11 bartenders from across the world with her winning cocktail, called Inferno.

The serve combined Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto with bay leaf-infused gin, dry vermouth, homemade cilantro essence and Dante Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

For winning, Wenko will receive a culinary and mixology experience with Marc Alvarez, co-owner of Sips Barcelona.

Alongside Alvarez, the competition was judged by the brand’s founder Giuseppe Gallo, Difford’s Guide co-founder Paloma Alos and Elle deputy director Barbara Digiglio

Second place was awarded to Niccolo Rossi from Barrier in Bergamo, Italy, with the Eclisse cocktail, made with Italicus, green apple and basil extract clarification, lemon clarification and Spuma Bianca.

Third place went to Adrian Michalcik from Pier 42 at Amerikalinjen in Oslo, Norway, with the The Smile as Aperitivo cocktail. The drink was made with Italicus, Sherry, gin, peach, capers and lemongrass cordial, and Absinthe Bareksten.

The sustainability prize was given to Josephine Sondlo from Nori Bar in Sweden, with the ‘Michi’ cocktail; which combined Italicus with seaweed-infused suze, condensed cream soda, twig and leaf oil, and waste sorbet.

The competition was followed by the official opening party of this year’s Roma Bar Show.

The brand has partnered with five-star hotel The Biltmore in London to host an outdoor terrace this summer.

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