March 10, 2026 — The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge returns for 2026, promising to set new benchmarks for creativity and innovation. Following the success of previous editions, ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto invites bartenders from across the globe to imagine a new way to Spritz. With a bold new challenge and a prestigious prize, the 2026 competition is poised to take drinks culture to new heights, as the brand celebrates its 10th anniversary.
This year’s global winner will earn the coveted title of ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2026 and embark on an exclusive mentorship programme with ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto at Moebius Bar (Milan), ranked No. 7 in The World’s 50 Best Bars 2025. Giovanni Allario, Moebius’ Bar Director, will use his contemporary approach to Italian classics to inspire and guide participants throughout the competition, championing storytelling, technique and artistry in cocktails.
Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of ITALICUS, shared his vision: “As we prepare to celebrate a decade of ITALICUS, we’re proud to keep pushing the boundaries of creativity and innovation in modern mixology. ITALICUS has become a modern-classic that is a must-have brand behind all top bars and the distinguished spirit of choice when it comes to the Spritz, as well as for reimagining other classics cocktails. Inviting bartenders to imagine a new way to Spritz reflects our commitment to keeping the aperitivo ritual fresh, exciting and relevant, and we look forward to showcasing the extraordinary talent from around the world.”
Imagine A New Way To Spritz
“The Spritz is synonymous with the aperitivo tradition and has enjoyed global popularity thanks to its light, refreshing character and versatility,” says Roberta Mariani, Global Advocacy Director for Italspirits. “As appreciation for the spritz continues to grow, ITALICUS leads the way, championing bartenders’ artistry in the low abv movement.”
Through this year’s challenge, ITALICUS invites bartenders to innovate while honouring the timeless appeal of the iconic Italian cocktail. Participants are encouraged to draw inspiration from any art form – painting, sculpture, music, architecture, fashion, hospitality and more – to craft a drink that embodies creativity and sophistication while demonstrating the spirit’s versatility and distinctive bergamot notes.
Programme Overview
Launched in 2018, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge celebrates the belief that bartenders are artists, offering them a platform to showcase their creativity, experiment with innovative ingredients and techniques, and highlight the versatility of ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto.
This year, the competition will welcome participants from eight countries: China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, the UK and the USA, alongside a Wild Card entry open to bartenders from other nations.
The Global Winner of the Aperitivo Challenge will be crowned The ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2026 and embark on a once-in-a-lifetime mentorship programme by ITALICUS with Moebius, in Milan. Additionally, they will join a community of trailblazing bartenders who are reshaping the art of the aperitivo.
Competitors are tasked with creating an original spritz cocktail using a minimum of 40ml (1.5oz in the US) ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto and no more than five ingredients. Entrants must submit their recipe, including an image of the cocktail, detailed measurements, garnishes and glassware specifications, via the official platform by 15th May 2026. Competitors are also required to share the inspiration behind their aperitivo creation.
Applications are open and can be submitted online at:
www.rosolioitalicus.com/aperitivo-challenge-2026
Participants are encouraged to share their creations on social media using the tags:
#ITALICUS #ROSOLIODIBERGAMOTTO #ARTOFITALICUS #AOI26 and tagging @italicusrdb @artofitalicus
To further support bartenders throughout the entry period, ITALICUS will also host monthly Q&A sessions on their social media channels, designed to answer recurring questions and help entrants maximise their submissions.
National and Global Finals
National Finals will take place between June and July, where six shortlisted bartenders per country will present their creations to an esteemed, industry-led judging panel. Each bartender must deliver at least four consistent serves of their cocktail. Winners of the National Finals will advance to the Global Final, which will take place in London in September 2026, bringing together national winners to compete to be crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2026. This event will highlight the most creative and artistic spritzes globally, pushing the boundaries of aperitivo culture and forming part of ITALICUS’ 10th anniversary celebrations.
Following the Global Final, countries will continue celebrations of the ITALICUS 10TH anniversary through the ‘ITALICUS Weeks’, hosting a series of events and special menus featuring Spritz-style cocktails throughout September.
Global Media Partner
The Global Media Partner for 2026 will be Difford’s Guide, supporting the competition worldwide and championing the most inspiring aperitivo creations throughout the programme.
Supporting U.S. Charity Partner: Another Round Another Rally
In the U.S., ITALICUS is proud to once again collaborate with Another Round Another Rally, a nonprofit organisation providing support for hospitality workers through educational programming and financial aid. Together, ITALICUS and Another Round Another Rally will help champion the U.S. edition of the challenge and celebrate the creativity of the bartending community.
For more information on The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge 2026, visit:
www.rosolioitalicus.com/aperitivo-challenge-2026
Instagram: @italicusrdb @artofitalicus
Facebook: @ItalicusAperitivo
About the ITALICUS® Aperitivo Challenge
The Art of ITALICUS challenge was born in 2018, as a Bartenders’ programme to honour that bartenders are artists. The challenge was created as an advocacy platform, amplifying awareness and connecting creative bartenders globally, through educational and innovative programmes.
About ITALICUS® Rosolio Di Bergamotto
ITALICUS was created by the authority in Italian spirits, Giuseppe Gallo, to bring back the forgotten Rosolio category. With key notes of Calabrian bergamot, ITALICUS is made using the finest Italian ingredients to create a sip of Italy. The striking bottle design embodies the history and heritage of Italy’s distinctive regions, whilst telling the story of Rosolio’s time-honoured traditional drinking occasion of Aperitivo.
ITALICUS is one of the top awarded aperitivo brands globally. ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto was awarded Best New Spirit 2017 at the prestigious Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards, and Top Trending Liqueur Brand by Drinks International in the years from 2019 to 2025. Most recently, ITALICUS was named a Top 10 Trending and Bestselling Liqueur Brand of 2026 by Drinks International.
Additional awards include: Top Trending Aperitivo Brand– Drinks International 2019-2026; PLATINUM – Plant-Based Excellence Awards 2024; DOUBLE GOLD – World Wine Spirits Trophy 2021; Italian Aperitif of the year GOLD MEDAL – NYISC 2021 and 2016; Tasting GOLD medal 2018, 2019 – Women & Wine and spirits awards; Best New European Spirit at the Mixology Awards 2017 in Berlin; Best Product at FIBAR 2017; Packaging awards GOLD MEDAL 2017 and Contemporary Awards TROPHY – International Wine & Spirits Competition 2017; Packaging Trophy – Harpers Design 2017; Gold Medal – San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2017; Platinum Best of Luxury – Pentawards 2017; Best New Product – Bar Awards 2016; EXCEPTIONAL quality certificate – Difford’s Guide 2016; Spirit Silver – International Wine & Spirit Competition (IWSC) 2024; Consumer Campaign of the Year – The Drinks Business Awards 2025 (Rosolio Day and ITALICUS Weeks).
Find here where you can buy Italicus.
About Giuseppe Gallo
Giuseppe Gallo is a renowned spirits expert and innovator in the drinks industry, celebrated for his deep knowledge of aperitivo culture and vermouth. Hailing from Italy’s Amalfi Coast, his passion for mixology is rooted in his Italian heritage. Over his 25+ year career, Giuseppe has earned global recognition, including being named ‘International Ambassador of the Year’ at the Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards and was dubbed the ‘Entrepreneur Behind the Summer’s Hottest Spritz’ by Forbes. He is the creator of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and founder of SAVOIA Vino Aperitivo.
