The 2024 Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge Returns in Pursuit of the Best Art-Inspired Aperitivo Cocktail 

The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge returns for its sixth edition, inviting bartenders from around the world to create an original and unique aperitivo cocktail inspired by any form of art and crafted using ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto.

The winner of this year’s challenge will be crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2024 and win a trip to Miami for a mentorship program with Cafe La Trova by Julio Cabrera. Nominated in 2023 as one of the World’s 50 Best Bars, Cafe La Trova is the embodiment of hospitality, welcoming guests with its distinctive warmth, attention to detail and service, crafting a truly memorable experience for anyone who visits. The “cantinero culture,” which is synonymous with the venue, embraces the most important values of the cocktail industry, making it the perfect inspiration for this year’s competition. As part of the prize, the 2024 ITALICUS Bar Artist will have the opportunity to experience what makes Cafe La Trova so special and discover Miami’s iconic art culture.

Reflecting the brand’s passion for Italian art and design, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge is built on the belief that bartenders are artists and it offers them the opportunity to expand their creativity whilst experimenting with new ingredients, techniques, and glassware to showcase the versatility of ITALICUS. Each recipe must be in an aperitivo style and can be inspired by any form of art, such as sculpture, painting, fashion, music, architecture and much more.

If you are a U.S. bartender looking to enter the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge 2024, click here.

The competition will welcome entrants from 13 countries, including the United States, Croatia/Slovenia, France, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom. Bartenders from other countries will be able to apply through a Wild Card entry, offering them the opportunity to win a spot at the global final in May in Rome.

THE 2024 COMPETITIONCompetitors must create an original aperitivo cocktail using a minimum of 40 ml. (1.5 oz.) of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto and a maximum of five ingredients. Participating bartenders must upload their unique recipe alongside an image of their creation, including measurements, garnishes and glassware recommendations to the competition website before February 20, 2024. Competitors are also required to share their inspiration and the story behind their aperitivo cocktail and encouraged to suggest food pairings for their recipe.

Applications for The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge 2024 are through February 20. US entries can be submitted at imbibemagazine.com/art-of-italicus. Non-US entries can be submitted at artofitalicus.com.

NATIONAL FINALSThe national finals will take place from March 4 to April 12 where eight finalists will present their cocktail creations to a judging panel in eight minutes with at least three serves. The winner of the national final will receive the title of 2024 ITALICUS Bar Artist of their country along with a ticket to participate in the global final, which will be held in Rome.

GLOBAL FINALSOn May 12, the national finalists will compete against one another in Rome in a bid to earn the coveted title of 2024 ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year as well as a mentorship with the award-winning Cafe La Trova in Miami. During the trip to Miami, the winning bartender will be accompanied by a film crew that will document their experience and create a video that will later be released on social media. 

For more information about the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge, visit artofitalicus.com.