OKSANA TYKHANSKA IS THE WINNER OF THE AKADEMYLAB 20/20 COCKTAIL COMPETITION 27 September 2024 On 18 September, the prestigious global final of our AkademyLab 20/20 Cocktail Competition 2024 took place in Asiago. Six talented bartenders from all over the world, selected through the semifinals in their home countries Ukraine, United Kingdom, Lithuania, Latvia, China and Italy, competed for the title of Global Winner 2024. AN EXCITING CHALLENGE IN THE HEART OF THE AKADEMY The final was held at AkademyLab 20/20, our multi-sensory venue in the heart of the Asiago Plateau, a 360° immersive place to discover the roots of our distillery. The six finalist bartenders (Arturs Jeduss from Riga; Aurimas Kazulenas from Vilnius; Calum James Hyett from Nottingham; Oksana Tykhanska from Odessa, Davide Nasti from Florence, Casper Huang from Shenzen), were called upon to bring all their creativity and technical mastery in mixology into play. The task? To create an original cocktail recipe using one of the Rossi d’Asiago distillery’s liqueurs from Antica Sambuca, Volare liqueurs for cocktails, and Kranebet Botanic Gin as a base for the drink. To declare the winner, a jury of excellence composed of: Giorgio Maggi, editorial coordinator of Mixer magazine; Michele Di Carlo, the ‘Gustosofo’, is a consultant, trainer and organiser of courses and masters, as well as president of the Classic Cocktail Club. A boundless culture when it comes to drinks, food and sensory analysis. His collaborations include Slow Food and the University of Gastronomic Sciences in Pollenzo; Danilo Bellucci, expert communicator and creator of the most eagerly awaited prizes and awards in the world of Italian beverages: Order of Merit, Lady Drink, 110 e Lode to name but a few; and Giorgio Fadda, president of the IBA International bartenders Association. THE WINNER: OKSANA TYKHANSKA To conquer the judges’ palate was Oksana Tykhanska, Ukrainian barlady with her cocktail “THE OCEAN OF SOULS” . At only 24 years old, Oksana emerges as a true mixology artist, capable of transforming each drink into true sensory experiences reflecting her inspiration and talent. THE WINNER COCKTAIL: THE OCEAN OF SOULS 15ml Volare Triple sec 15ml Volare Coconut 22.5 ml Vodka on nori leaves 45 ml Aloe and lemongrass cordial 7.5 ml Talisker 10 Garnish: glucose baked in the oven, flavoured with sea salt Jury comment: ‘An intriguing cocktail with tropical and marine notes. ‘Ocean of souls‘ is a very elegant and sophisticated drink with an incredibly harmonious and balanced taste’. I FINALISTI Aurimas Kazulėnas – Bar manager at “Grand Hotel Vilnius” by Hilton, Vilnius, Lituania FOREST DREAM 40 ml Kranebet Botanic Gin 40 ml Volare Green Apple 20 ml lemongrass and rosemary cordial 1 chilli 30 ml fresh lemon juice Artūrs Jedušs – Barman at Cloud nine premium cocktail bar, Riga, Lettonia ASIAGO SOUR 60 ml Kranebet botanic gin 20 ml Freshly squeezed lemon juice 30 ml Fresh egg white 15 ml extra virgin olive oil 4 fresh basil leaves Garnish: Freshly grated Aged Asiago cheese on top Davide Nasti – Barman at Caffè Concerto Paszkowski, Firenze, Italia SIGNOR ROSSI 3 cl Kranebet Botanic Gin 2.5 cl Volare Elderflower 3,5 cl Homemade herbal bitter Ice decorated with an orange-flavoured cocoa butter seal Calum Hyett – Head bartender at Pogo Bar Nottingham, UK LONG WEEKEND 40 ml Kranebet Botanic Gin 5 ml Antica Sambuca Classic 30 ml white vermouth 25 ml bergamot cordial Fresh lemon juice Casper Huang – Barman in Shenzen, Cina ROSSI UNION: 45 ml Kranebet Botanic Gin 20 ml Volare Amaretto 5 ml Antica Sambuca Classic 10 ml green olives Green apple slice