On the Road with Campari Academy: Behind the Bar, Across Italy

The first part of the Cocktail Extravaganza Tour with Campari Academy has just wrapped, and wow, what a ride.From Chicago to Naples, it’s been an incredible journey of cocktails, connection, creativity, and community.

This wasn’t just a tour, it was a full-on experience. And it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing energy, vision, and support of the Campari Academy team.

A huge grazie di cuore to @campariacademy_it, and to the brilliant minds and hearts behind it: @giovanni.vecchio06, @nicoscarnera, @marianna_dileo, @luka_style, thank you for trusting me, supporting me, and giving me the opportunity to be part of something that feels so meaningful for our industry.

From Miami to Naples: An Adventure in Every Glass

The tour kicked off in Miami nearly three months ago, right before the Chicago Rum Festival, (Voyage Rum Co. sneak preview) and what followed was a whirlwind of events, cities, and unforgettable nights.

Together with Campari Academy, we built a format that blended education, inspiration, and entertainment, mixing modern cocktail culture with real moments of connection between professionals.

I got to create and share some brand-new recipes I’m really proud of, like the Rossoteatro, or my Mex-Tai, a tropical twist with a punch of personality. It was fun, it was challenging, and honestly… I couldn’t have asked for a better crowd to shake with.

A Toast to the Bars That Hosted Me!

Hospitality is everything in this business, and every stop along the tour felt like coming home.

A heartfelt thank you to each of the incredible bars that opened their doors (and their back bars!) for me:

🍹Cloakroom – Treviso 🍹Bar Cavour – Torino 🍍Hawaiki – Rimini 🍹Ceccato – Como 🍹 Frizzi Garden – Firenze 🍍 Rita’s Tiki Room – Milano 🍹La Zanzara – Roma 🍹 L’Antiquario – Napoli

You made each event special, bringing the vibes, the crowd, the curiosity.          You helped turn ideas into memories, and cocktails into conversations.  Thank you for the warmth, the welcome, and the willingness to celebrate this wild journey together.

Across Borders and Festivals 

It wasn’t just Italy, we hit some major international stages too.

From the Pineapple Room in Lyon to the Cannes Film Festival, from La Crique in Antibes to the high-energy Roma Bar Show, every event added something unique. I had the honor to speak at Barmaster Hub, to judge at the Campari Cocktail Competition, and to close out at the legendary Surfer Joe Summer Festival.

And somewhere in the middle, I even got to hop on the mic for a podcast episode with The Bartender, sharing stories, laughs, and a bit of vision for where we’re headed.

What’s Next?

I just got back from Martinque!! Amazing !!!!

Coming up: 

Miami (Private Event)

Chicago (Pop-up @ Three Dots and A Dash) Lima (Clase Maestra – South America’s biggest bar industry event) Fiji (Rum and Tiki Festival)

One Last Ingredient: Real

Before I sign off, I want to give a big thank you to Real Exotic Infusions, who supported me throughout the tour.

Their products were a key part of my setup,visibly present in every bar, every recipe, and every training moment. From Instagram stories to live workshops, they helped me showcase what tropical mixing can really be when quality meets creativity.

This tour with Campari Academy reminded me why I fell in love with this industry in the first place. It’s about people. Passion. Good drinks and even better stories.

We’re just getting started, and I can’t wait to keep shaking things up with you.

See you on the next stop!

!