Florence Cocktail Week from September 20-26, preceded by Tuscany Cocktail Week on September 13-19, were a successfully spirited events series dedicated to fine drinks and the city’s social scene. Paola Mencarelli has been behind the showcase since the first edition in 2016, and the festival has now grown beyond its start in the Renaissance city to include both Tuscany and elsewhere in Italy.
Bars and clubs across the city were sold out during the week of events, packed with both the passionate and curious for the signature cocktails, masterclasses and themed evenings that formed the line-up. With the industry having been hard hit by the pandemic, the cocktail week aimed
“to fly the flag for the sector’s recovery”,
in the words of Mencarelli.
“Times are tough, but we’re doing everything we can to give a blast of positive energy to the Tuscan and Italian bar industry”.
Bars were divided into categories with a dedicated cocktail list created in each: Hotel bars, Cocktail bars and High Volume bars. The challenge was put to bartenders to create a signature cocktail that would wow, and that is undoubtedly what they did. Awards were handed out in many categories, with Locale, the Atrium Bar of the Four Seasons Hotel Firenze, Gilli 1771, Caffè Concerto Paszkowski and Move On all receiving recognition, as well as Floreal, La Petite, Santa Cocktail Club and Djaria American Bar among those presented with prizes. The Best Signature Cocktail FCW21 is among the most coveted awards, and was given to Martina Bonci of Gesto in Borgo San Frediano for her ‘Chi la dura la Vince’ cocktail. Ditta Artigianale in Sant’Ambrogio won Best FCW Brand Identity, while the Best FCW Aperitivo Italiano was given to Harry’s Bar The Garden, Sina Villa Medici, and the Cibreo Caffè of Helvetia & Bristol Firenze.
A book published by Giunti Editore details the 143 signature cocktails that have impressed guests across the 5 years of the festival to date. The cocktail celebrations continue in Venice from December 13-19, with many looking eagerly ahead to the next dates in Florence, set to be in 2023.
“Times are tough, but we’re doing everything we can to give a blast of positive energy to the Tuscan and Italian bar industry”.
