The Bar Journal

ITALICUS and its global partners are proud to announce the national finalists for the 9th edition of the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge.

Celebrated across the international bar industry, this annual competition remains a powerful platform for creativity within aperitivo culture. Bartenders are challenged to reinterpret the timeless spritz cocktail, drawing inspiration from the world of art in all its forms.

Each of this year’s finalists has shown exceptional artistry and technical mastery in crafting a contemporary spritz with ITALICUS at its heart, rising to the top from a remarkable pool of entries across the globe.

The national finalists for 2026 are:

🇨🇳 China 

Yu Xi, Hope & Sesame, Guangzhou

Heying Shu, Bar Texture, Kunming

Nico Chen, Asian Flush, Shanghai

Pia Zhu, COA, Shanghai 

Ring Zhao, Bar Choice, Shangai

Wei Lin, Bamboo Origin, Tianjin

🇫🇷 France 

Alexia Vrignon, Shasha sur le Toit, Bordeaux

Alessandro Pagano, Coya, Monaco Montecarlo

Francis Carag, Le Grand Café, Paris

Lindsay Guermonprez, Mama Shelter, Bordeaux

Louis Chauvin, Louison, Marseille

Tom Joly, Bar Fouquet’s le Majestic, Cannes

🇩🇪 Germany 

Alexander Mestekemper, Jigger & Spoon, Stuttgart

Colin Drews, Ammolite – House of Light, Rust

Jakob Dornhöfer, DRY – Liquid Supper Bar, Aachen

Mario Sel, Bar Montez, Munich

Nicolas Dreyer, Walk On The Wild Side, Hannover

Sebastian Meindl, Nook, Dresden

🇭🇰 Hong Kong

Annika Villanueva, Bourke’s, Hong Kong

Hoi Ki Au-Yeung, Bar Anima, Hong Kong

Marco Caruso, Honky Tonks Tavern, Hong Kong

Matthew Cheng, The Poet, Hong Kong

Suraj Kharal, Socio, Hong Kong

Ting Fung Fok, Dr. Residence, Hong Kong

🇮🇹 Italy

🇪🇸  Spain

Ana Arnáiz Grande, Suru Cocktail Bar (Lopesan Faro Collection), Maspalomas, Las Palmas 

Beatriz Cruz, Especiarium, Barcelona

Gennaro Borrelli, Ginbo, Palma De Mallorca

Igor Malec, Cielo by Florentine, Marbella

Kamar Jimenez, Mirall Bar, Palma, Mallorca

Oleksandr Danilov, El Puente, Bilbao

🇬🇧 United Kingdom

Kenta Maeda, The Noble Glasgow, Glasgow

Matthew Kaemmerer-Farag, Kwant Mayfair, London

Maxim Yukhno, Lita, London

Melissa Wyper, Hey Palu, Edinburgh

Petru Ivan, Nightjar, London

William Cartwright, Arcane, Manchester

🇺🇲 United States

Andrew Han, Angel’s Share, NYC

Austin Harrington, Youngblood, San Diego

Dayron Chao, ViceVersa, Miami

Elizabeth Diaz, Cafe la Trova, Miami

Kai Lucas, The Corner Store, NYC

Nicola Tolosa, Double Fun, Chicago

The Wild Card entry will be announced by the end of July. 

All national finalists will go head-to-head at their country’s National Final between June and July 2026, with the top talents then advancing to the Global Final on 1st September 2026. This year’s grand finale will take place in London, an incredible stage for some of the most exciting bartending talent the world has to offer.

Grazie mille to everyone who shared their creations with us this year, and buona fortuna to all our national finalists.

We cannot wait to see your artistry shine on the global stage!