The AIBES Cocktail Championship 2025, Italy’s most prestigious bartending competition, made history this year by taking place for the first time ever aboard a cruise ship. The cruise ship Costa Favolosa became a floating stage for elite mixology as finalists competed at sea while sailing from Genoa to Barcelona and Marseille.

Hosting the event aboard the Costa Favolosa gave AIBES a spectacular new backdrop, with the finals taking place in the ship’s main theater, professional bar stations set up across the vessel, expert-led masterclasses held during sea days, and a celebratory gala night that unfolded under the open ocean horizon.

Overall Winner: Ludovico Orazio – Puglia

Ludovico Orazio claimed the prestigious title of AIBES Italian Champion 2025, standing out for creativity, technique, and impeccable presentation. His winning cocktail earned top marks from industry judges and is set to be featured in upcoming AIBES publications and events.

The 2025 AIBES Championship showcased top talent across multiple mixology categories, with standout winners in each field. Federico Magro (Veneto) took the Sparkling title with an elegant Ferrari Trento–based creation, while Manuele Viale (Piedmont) won the Long Drink category for his refreshing and well-structured cocktail. Alessio Pelati (Emilia-Romagna) claimed the Fancy Drink award for his visually striking, innovative recipe, and Irma Campagna (Sardinia) topped the After Dinner category with a rich, dessert-style drink. In the high-energy Flair Bartending division, Hector Bravo (Lombardy) secured first place with a dynamic performance and excellent execution. The event also featured the RCR Crystal Masters team competition, where Tuscany earned the top regional honor for overall excellence across categories.