The Bar Journal

ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto is delighted to announce Jelena Bulatovskaja, bartender at Sexy Fish, London, as the winner of the 2025 UK National Final of the Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge, which took place yesterday at the renowned China Tang at The Dorchester.

The finalists were evaluated by a distinguished panel of judges: Sandrae Lawrence, Co-Founder of The Cocktail Lovers; Federico Pavan, Director of Mixology at Donovan Bar; and Roberta Mariani, Global Advocacy Director for ITALICUS. Their combined expertise in media, hospitality, and brand advocacy ensured the winning serve excelled not just in technique, but in creativity, storytelling, and relevance to the modern aperitivo moment.

Now in its seventh year, the global competition continues to honour bartenders as creative visionaries while celebrating the Italian art of aperitivo. This year’s brief tasked competitors with reimagining the Spritz—a format that continues to evolve and dominate menus as the global appetite for lighter, lower-ABV, and occasion-driven serves grows rapidly.

Speaking after her win, Bulatovskaja commented:

“It feels fantastic. I didn’t expect it — it’s a very exciting feeling and I’m so grateful. From the application process to the final, it’s been a rewarding journey, and there’s still so much to take from the experience. On a professional level, it’s an amazing opportunity, and personally, it means a lot to represent my team and our creativity on an international stage.”

Bulatovskaja will now go on to represent the UK at the Art of ITALICUS Global Final, taking place on 7 July 2025 at the Blue Gin Bar in Monaco, where she will compete alongside national champions from the USA, France, Italy, Spain, Hong Kong, Germany, New Zealand, Hungary and a Wild Card entrant. The global winner will be crowned ITALICUS Bar Artist of the Year 2025, receiving a mentorship programme and gaining access to key international bar events, as well as the opportunity to collaborate with Lorenzo Antinori, founder of Bar Leone (Asia’s Best Bar 2024, #2 globally).

Winning Cocktail: ‘Da Punto A Dotto’

Inspired by the work of Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama and her signature dotted art, Bulatovskaja’s serve reflects a synergy between Kusama’s avant-garde style and the ritual of Italian aperitivo. The result is an elegant, modern spritz that highlights the complexity of ITALICUS while embracing Japanese minimalism.

Ingredients:

• ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto
• Still Sake (Tokubetsu Honjozo)
• Nasha Pear Cordial
• Aromatised Wine (Americano Bianco)
• Thyme Hydrosol

Notably, the drink omits the traditional prosecco, instead using carbonation to lengthen the drink and provide lift — a contemporary take that reflects the evolving nature of the spritz category.

“The floral notes of Italicus are complemented by the subtle tones of Nasha pears and the dry, umami notes of sake,” said Bulatovskaja. “Together with herbaceous thyme and a hint of Americano Bianco, the result is a light, sweet spritz that lets Italicus shine.”

Second Place – James Grant, Heads and Tales, Edinburgh

Cocktail: In’k’ Bloom
A personal homage to the tattoo artistry of Grant’s partner Suzie, “In’k’ Bloom” examines the parallels between body art and hospitality — both rooted in storytelling, personal connection and lasting impact.

Ingredients:

• ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto
• Pear + Olive Soda
• Fino Sherry
• Vin Santo
• Verjus

The result is a saline, fruity spritz that delicately layers florals with fine wine characteristics, delivering a serve full of narrative and nuance.

Third Place – Samuel Plumb, The Sterling Bar, Manchester

Cocktail: White Heat
Plumb’s drink is inspired by White Heat, Marco Pierre White’s seminal cookbook photographed by Bob Carlos Clarke. The contrasting black-and-white portraits of kitchen pressure and colour-rich dishes inspired a drink that blends intensity and vibrancy, much like hospitality service itself.

Ingredients:

• ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto
• 2:1 Sugar Syrup
• Yorkshire Rhubarb & White Pepper Soda (homemade)
• Rosé Crémant

Combining Italian, French and English elements, “White Heat” is a tribute to the industry’s behind-the-scenes dedication and the beauty it brings to the guest experience.

Celebrating the Spritz Renaissance

This year’s theme — a new way to Spritz — reflects the continued evolution of one of the world’s most iconic and democratic serves. Lighter in alcohol and full of character, the Spritz has become the symbol of the contemporary aperitivo occasion, balancing refreshment with ritual. As consumers increasingly seek out lower-ABV serves with flavour and flair, bartenders have embraced the challenge to elevate the format into new territory.

Salute!
Italspirits team