Art of Italicus crowns global 2025 champion
Vincenzo Amorese from Bad Company 1920 in Madrid is the 2025 global champion of The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge.
The seventh edition of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto’s annual competition concluded this week at the Blue Gin Bar in Monte Carlo. Ten national champions gathered to present their innovative interpretations of the Spritz.
At the finals, Amorese from Madrid, Spain, won first place. He was followed by Connan Henry-Madden from Un Bar Avec Des Formes Pour Nom in Bordeaux, France, in second place. Meanwhile, Jelena Bulatovskaja of Sexy Fish in London came third.
Amorese impressed the judging panel with his cocktail, ‘Primavera Spritz’, which was inspired by Botticelli’s Renaissance masterpiece, Primavera.
Referred to as a ‘new Primavera’ by Amorese, the cocktail combines Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto with cava, an IPA reduction soda, a black olive, and a spritz of Rosolio perfume.
Amorese said: “Taking part in the Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge has been a unique experience. I tried to combine a balanced cocktail with an element of creativity and surprise. I feel honoured to be part of the Italicus family, taking the next steps in my career as I prepare to take part in the mentorship programme.”
Each cocktail in the finals was evaluated based on its originality, storytelling, and how effectively it reinterpreted the Spritz while highlighting the signature notes of Italicus. The panel considered each drink for its creativity, technical execution, emotional narrative, and how well it embodied the aperitivo ritual.
The judging panel included Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of Italicus; Paloma Difford, managing director of Difford’s Guide; and Lorenzo Antinori, founder of Bar Leone in Hong Kong.
The 2025 edition showcased finalists from 10 countries: the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and the US. Each bartender was invited to reimagine the Spritz as a means of artistic expression, cultural reflection, and modern hospitality, drawing inspiration from a specific art form.
Gallo commented: “This challenge continues to honour bartenders as the artists of our industry. Every year, we witness an extraordinary level of imagination and execution. 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.”
As the newly crowned Italicus Bar Artist of the Year, Amorese will participate in a tailored mentorship programme, gain access to leading international bar events, and collaborate directly with Antinori.
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