Florence Cocktail Week 2025 concluded successfully

Florence Cocktail Week 2025 – Florence Shines as an International Mixology Destination

The seven-day Florence Cocktail Week 2025, curated by Paola Mencarelli with the support of the Municipality of Florence and the Destination Florence Foundation, took place across 60 leading cocktail bars and hotel bars in the city. The aim was to highlight quality mixology and promote a culture of responsible, conscious drinking, with a strong focus on bartender creativity and the recognition of new talent.

"Florence Cocktail Week was the first cocktail week ever held in Italy. Starting in 2016 with 13 bars, 8 events and 1 guest bartender, by 2025 it has grown to 60 bars, 194 events and 154 guest participants," said Paola Mencarelli. "Beyond the numbers, what matters are the new themes we introduced: from wellness and mindful drinking, to the use of unusual ingredients—through inspired events that breathed new life into professionals and audiences alike."

Highlights of FCW25

• Wellness & Conscious Drinking: For the first time, bar menus were limited to two signature cocktails per venue, one inspired by wellness. Each cocktail included an alcohol content indication, offering consumers a tool for more mindful choices.
• Barkeeper FCW: A new initiative spotlighting the resident bartenders behind each bar. Guests had the chance to meet “the minds behind the cocktails” for a more personal experience.
• Guest Shifts: A total of 103 professionals (67 from Italy and 36 from abroad) took part, underlining the international character of the event.
• Dining with the Spirits / Pizza with the Spirits / Pastry with the Spirits / Gelato with the Spirits: Twenty-one events united gastronomy with mixology. This year introduced Gelato with the Spirits for the first time.
• SHIFT Scholarship: In collaboration with Arina Nikolskaya, two professionals from Kazakhstan traveled to Tuscany for training and guest shifts.

Significance for Florence

FCW25 once again confirmed Florence’s position among the top mixology destinations in Italy and Europe. The growth from 13 bars in 2016 to 60 in 2025 reflects the city’s booming bar scene, the rise of new hotel bars, and its establishment as a key reference point for cocktail lovers.

Upcoming Events – Italian Cocktail Weeks by Paola Mencarelli

• Negroni’s Cup (May 2025): A fun community event with a 5x5 football tournament between bartenders and a “third half” over Negronis.
• ICW Reunion – Dolomites (Corvara, Val Badia, June 10–12): A gathering in the Dolomites hosted by Hotel La Perla.
• Venice Cocktail Week (October 22–26, 2025): Spotlighting the unique Venetian bar scene.

About Paola Mencarelli

Born in Tuscany, with a background in French Literature and Journalism, Paola Mencarelli is the founder and creative director of Florence Cocktail Week (2016). She also created Tuscany Cocktail Week (2019), Venice Cocktail Week (2021), Cortina Cocktail Weekend (2022), and Amalfi Coast Cocktail Week (2024). Since 2023, all events are part of the umbrella brand Italian Cocktail Weeks by Paola Mencarelli.
In 2021, she published “I Signature Cocktail di Florence Cocktail Week – 5 anni in 143 drink”. In 2022, she was awarded the Order of Merit as Consul of Italian Hospitality.

Florence Cocktail Week is held under the patronage of the Municipality of Florence, with the support of the Destination Florence Foundation.

More information: www.florencecocktailweek.it

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