The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge is back with its fourth edition.
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto launches the bartending competition, inspired by art, aperitivo and the made in Italy concept. 2021 will see the competition returning to its artistic roots - encouraging competitors to be as creative as possible with their cocktails, whilst remaining anchored to the aperitivo occasion.
Bartenders from across the globe including UK, Italy, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, Spain, USA, Russia and Greece, are invited to participate and tasked to create an art-inspired aperitivo cocktail which represents ITALICUS spirit at its best: elevating the aperitivo experience through excellence, innovation and creative liquid expressions.
For bartenders outside the mentioned countries, ITALICUS is introducing a ‘wild card’ entry option, where bartenders from all countries will be allowed to enter for a chance to be selected by the global team. The selected entrant will then be sent straight to the global final.
Using ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto as an ingredient, contestants are challenged with being as brave and innovative as possible with their creations. In order to enter, bartenders must create an original aperitivo-style cocktail recipe, inspired by any form of art, using a minimum 40ml ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto. The recipe should be submitted with measurements as well as suggested garnish, glassware and overall presentation - participants may also suggest a food pairing.
All are invited to share the recipe and entry via social media using the appropriate hashtags #italicus #rosoliodibergamotto #artofitalicus #aoi21.
The Global Winner will receive the coveted title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2021 and a trip with a one in a life time Mentorship Program to Barcelona, city of art that captures the essence of aperitivo. The winner will meet with Marc Alvarez, Director & Founder of Drink’s Atelier at renowned bar SIPS, who are most recognised for their disruptive mixology techniques.
In March 2022, eight competitors will be shortlisted in each region proceeding to the regional final based on a combination of their cocktail recipe, the connection between the cocktail and the art which inspired its creation, the perception of aperitivo and the social media exposure the competitor managed to generate.
The National Finals will take place between 21 March - 30 April 2022 and the eight finalists will have eight minutes to create two original serves. Each winner of the National Finals will then proceed to the Global Finals in May 2022.
In 2020 the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge run digitally connecting 10 cities in a global campaign with the local bartenders community for a GLO-CAL inspirational journey during the pandemic hard times, with the aim to maintain alive creativity, innovation and the hospitality industry.
Brand Owner Giuseppe Gallo said: “As a team, we have such passion for art and design which is reflected in our distinctive brand so we are very excited to bring back the Art of Aperitivo Challenge this year. The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge is a creative platform which connects us globally with our bartending communities. Bartenders are artists and as such their art of creating drinks with different ingredients, techniques and inspirations, is an art which needs to be celebrated.”
Entries for the competition are now open and competitors can submit their cocktail here. They are invited to share the recipe and entry via social media using the appropriate hashtags #italicus #rosoliodibergamotto #artofitalicus #aoi21.