The Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge Concludes With U.S. Finals

NEW YORK, NY [June 18, 2025] – On Monday, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge announced Victor Uceda-Vereau from Bar Kaiju in Miami, Florida, as the top U.S. finalist. Daniel Torres from Funke in Beverly Hills, California, and David Lozano from ORO in Miami, Florida, won second and third place, respectively. The global bartending challenge, conceived by Giuseppe Gallo, founder and CEO of ITALICUS, invites bartenders from around the world to create an original and unique aperitivo cocktail inspired by any form of art, crafted using the irreplaceable ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto, and aiming to showcase the talents of emerging bartenders in the industry.

The winning recipe by Victor Uceda-Verea from Bar Kaiju in Miami is titled “Huaca di Rosolio.” The cocktail features ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto, dry vermouth, Pomegranate clay Sherry soda, orange bitters, and is garnished with pomegranate seeds. 

The cocktail, “Huaca di Rosolio” is inspired by the Quechuan term “Huaca,” which refers to objects or places of sacred significance. Created by Victor following his travels through South America, the drink pays homage to La Huaca de la Luna—an ancient Moche pyramid in modern-day Trujillo, Peru. Drawing parallels between the Mediterranean elegance of Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto and the artisanal craftsmanship of the Moche people, Victor incorporated natural elements like clay and pomegranate, sourced from his grandparents' nearby farm, to reflect both personal and cultural connections.

Served in a bowl etched with concentric patterns reminiscent of Moche artwork and finished with a stone ice cube symbolizing the pyramid’s enduring foundation, “Huaca di Rosolio” bridges ancient tradition and modern elegance in every sip.

“Winning this challenge is incredibly meaningful to me, not just as a bartender, but as someone deeply connected to the cultural roots that inspired my cocktail,” said Victor Uceda-Vereau. “With ‘Huaca di Rosolio,’ I wanted to honor both the sacred traditions of my heritage and the artistry behind Italicus. It’s been a powerful experience translating those stories into a cocktail that reflects who I am, where I come from, and what this craft means to me.”

Second place went to Daniel Torres of Funke in Beverly Hills, California, for his cocktail “La Pennellata,” inspired by Mark Rothko’s No. 11 (1949). Just as Rothko layered color to evoke emotion, Torres layered flavor, blending Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, rhubarb, and strawberry-infused Americano Rosa, and sparkling Fiuggi mineral water, to translate the painting’s emotional depth into a vibrant spritz. With floral, citrus, ripe red fruit, and vegetal notes over bittersweet undertones, “La Pennellata” serves as a flavorful tribute to Rothko’s iconic work.

Lastly, David Lozano of ORO in Miami, Florida, secured third place for his cocktail “Testarossa Spritz.” Drawing from 1980s futurism and synthwave, the drink nods to the era’s blend of sleek design and nostalgic energy. Named after the iconic Ferrari Testarossa, made famous by Miami Vice, the cocktail reinterprets the tropical flavors of the classic Miami Vice drink with a more refined approach. Featuring notes of pineapple, strawberry, and coconut in a spritz format, the Testarossa Spritz balances Italian elegance with a playful, modern twist.

The 9 international bartenders who competed for the national title were:

• Kevan Ash, The Roosevelt Room, Austin, Texas, presenting the cocktail “What is the Medium?”
• Dragan Milivojevic, Papercut, Austin, Texas, presenting the cocktail “Terracotta.”
• Victor Uceda-Vereau, Bar Kaiju, Miami, Florida, presenting the cocktail “Huaca di Rosolio.”
• Juan Jose Pulgarin Morales, Vajra, Chicago, Illinois, presenting the cocktail “El Canto de la Madre Tierra.” 
• Jason Trevino, Double Chicken Please, New York, New York, presenting the cocktail “Brighthawk.”
• Joseph Venezia, Marcelino's, Boston, Massachusetts, presenting the cocktail “Tranquil Mind.”
• Daniel Torres, Funke, Beverly Hills, California, presenting the cocktail “La Pennellata.”
• David Lozano, ORO, Miami, Florida, presenting the cocktail “Testarossa Spritz.”
• Angel Ricardo Rodríguez Herrera, Bijou Drinkery Room, Mexico City, Mexico, presenting the cocktail “Essenza Spritz.”

The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge Global Final will be held in Monaco on July 7, 2025 and will bring together bartenders from Spain, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Hungary, China, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States. Each participant will be judged for their curated aperitivo using ITALICUS as the key ingredient. 

“The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge continues to be a celebration of creativity, culture, and craftsmanship, values at the very heart of our brand,” said Giuseppe Gallo, Founder & CEO of ITALICUS. “Each cocktail this year told a unique story through flavor and presentation, bridging art and aperitivo in ways that were deeply personal and globally inspired. We are proud to spotlight such emerging talent and honored to see ITALICUS interpreted with such imagination and respect.”

ITALICUS Rosolio Di Bergamotto is available in a 750ml bottle at 20% ABV from retailers including Curiada at an SRP of $41.99.

About the ITALICUS® Aperitivo Challenge 

The Art of Italicus challenge was born in 2018, as a Bartenders’ program to honor that bartenders are artists. The challenge was created as an advocacy platform, amplifying awareness and connecting creative bartenders globally, through educational and innovative programs.

Kicking off in January, The Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo competition invites bartenders from around the world to create an original and unique aperitivo cocktail inspired by any form of art and crafted using the irreplaceable ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto. 

About ITALICUS® Rosolio Di Bergamotto

ITALICUS was created by the authority of 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, while telling the story of Rosolio’s time-honored 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 2023. 

Additional awards include: 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.

About Giuseppe Gallo

Giuseppe Gallo is one of the world’s most respected bartenders and drinks-industry innovators, with an unrivaled passion for the drinks business and an inimitable source of knowledge and insight into the world of aperitivo. Hailing from the Amalfi Coast, his passion for mixology stems from his strong Italian heritage. Giuseppe is widely considered a vermouth expert and he has spent over 15 years traveling the world and educating consumers and professionals on the category. This work has culminated in winning ‘International Ambassador of the Year’ at the prestigious awards in the drinks industry, Tales Of The Cocktail’s Spirited Awards in 2014. In September 2016 he created Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto which reinvigorated a forgotten aperitivo category, which has won countless industry awards since its launch. In 2019, Giuseppe launched the Roma Bar Show, the first-ever international cocktail festival in the country.