ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto is delighted to announce Vincenzo Amorese, bartender at Bad Company 1920 in Madrid, Spain, as the 2025 Global Champion of The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge. The seventh edition of the prestigious competition concluded this week at the striking Blue Gin Bar in Monte Carlo, where ten national champions from across the globe came together to present their reimagined take on the Spritz — a defining symbol of the modern aperitivo occasion.

Amorese captivated the judging panel with his serve, 'Primavera Spritz', a cocktail inspired by Botticelli's Renaissance masterpiece Primavera. With a contemporary twist, the drink reflected society's current shift toward low-ABV options, minimalism, and modern technology — described by Amorese 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 said of the win:

"Taking part to 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 program."

Second place was awarded to Connan Henry-Madden from Un bar avec des formes in Bordeaux, France, for his cocktail 'Contemporary Spritz'. Exploring the true meaning of the word "contemporary," Henry-Madden 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 United Kingdom 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, Bulatovskaja's modern serve combined ITALICUS with still sake, Nasha pear cordial, Suze and thyme hydrosol — carbonated for lift in place of traditional prosecco.

Each cocktail was judged on originality, storytelling and how well it reinterpreted the spritz while allowing the signature notes of ITALICUS to shine. The finalists' serves were assessed by a distinguished panel of industry leaders: 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, currently ranked #2 in The World's 50 Best Bars and named Asia's Best Bar in 2024. Together, the panel evaluated each drink for creativity, technical execution, emotional narrative and its embodiment of the aperitivo ritual.

The 2025 edition featured national finalists from the UK, Spain, France, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Hong Kong, New Zealand and the United States — a testament to the global reach and creative depth of the competition. Each bartender was invited to reimagine the Spritz as a vehicle for artistic expression, cultural reflection and modern hospitality whilst taking inspiration from a form of art.

As the newly crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year, Vincenzo Amorese will embark on a tailored mentorship programme, gain access to leading international bar events and collaborate directly with judge Lorenzo Antinori.

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."