ITALICUS

What ITALICUS does

ITALICUS LTD. is a London-registered, privately held spirits company founded in 2016 by Giuseppe Gallo, operating the ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto brand. The company's core product is a premium Italian liqueur crafted near Turin from I.G.P. (Protected Geographical Indication) certified bergamot sourced from a UNESCO protected area in Calabria, Italy, with handpicked, vegan, natural ingredients. ITALICUS positions the product as a reimagining of Rosolio, described as the original 'drink of kings' predating Vermouth and Amaro, served in signatures such as Italicus Spritz, Italicus Margarita, Italicus Cup, Italicus Negroni Bianco, Italicus Sgroppino, and Italicus Cosmicus.

The business generates revenue through two principal channels: on-premise distribution to a curated network of premium bars and restaurants globally (including venues such as Sexy Fish London, Quinary Hong Kong, Bad Company 1920 Madrid, and Moebius Bar Milan), and direct-to-consumer e-commerce via the rosolioitalicus.com website shipping to the UK, Belgium, and USA. The company maintains no disclosed institutional funding and operates with 11-50 employees.

Its go-to-market is event-driven and community-led, anchored by the annual Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge (now in its 8th edition for 2026), which cultivates a global network of bartender ambassadors across 9+ countries. Brand-building activities include design collaborations with Pininfarina (ARCO ITALICUS limited edition, 2024) and Smallcaps Venezia, publication of the Art of ITALICUS book in 2022, the Sound of ITALICUS soundtrack with Ndusemes, and Cities Reimagined art projects with Moniker Art. Distribution to the USA is supported by Pernod Ricard USA terms-of-service references, suggesting a major spirits group distribution relationship for the North American market.

Name

ITALICUS

Legal name

ITALICUS LTD.

Website

https://rosolioitalicus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ITALICUS is a London-based premium Italian liqueur brand founded in 2016 by Giuseppe Gallo, producing Rosolio di Bergamotto made with I.G.P. certified Calabrian bergamot, and serving global on-premise bars, restaurants, and aperitivo enthusiasts through curated trade distribution and direct e-commerce.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Spirits & Liqueurs

NAICS

Beverage Manufacturing (3121), Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing (312)

SIC

Beverages (2080)

akta.pro primary industry

Alcoholic Beverage Contract Manufacturing / Co-packing (Brew, Distill, Bottle, Can) (CRADAIAI)

Keywords

• Premium Italian liqueurs
• Rosolio di bergamotto
• Italian aperitivo spirits
• Bergamot liqueur brand
• Craft cocktail ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Beverage Product Sales: ITALICUS generates revenue through direct sales of its Rosolio di Bergamotto liqueur bottles to consumers via its e-commerce website and through distribution to bars, restaurants, and retail outlets globally.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ITALICUS produces and sells Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto, a premium Italian liqueur made with I.G.P. certified Bergamot from Calabria. The brand distributes the bottled liqueur through direct-to-consumer e-commerce, selected bar and restaurant partners, and retail distributors, complemented by signature cocktail recipes and the annual Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge bartender competition.

Product overview

ITALICUS is a premium Italian liqueur brand specializing in Rosolio di Bergamotto - a reimagined version of the historic 'drink of kings.' The core product offering centers on Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto liqueur, complemented by a collection of signature cocktail recipes including Italicus Spritz, Italicus Margarita, Italicus Cup, and Italicus Cosmicus. The brand maintains engagement through the annual Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge (now in its 8th edition), publishes the Art of ITALICUS book, and periodically releases limited edition collaborations such as the ARCO ITALICUS with Pininfarina. The portfolio positions Italian craftsmanship and artistry at its core.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto The flagship Italian liqueur — a reimagined Rosolio (drink of kings) made with I.G.P. bergamot from Calabria. Lightly citrusy with hints of rose and lavender, balanced with light bitter and floral spice notes. Sold to consumers, bars, and restaurants globally.
• Italicus Spritz Signature serve: 1 part Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto with 2 parts Prosecco, built in a wine glass over ice and garnished with three green olives. A branded cocktail recipe that drives consumption of the core liqueur.
• Art of ITALICUS Aperitivo Challenge Annual global bartending competition that celebrates Italian art and design by challenging bartenders to create cocktail art inspired by art in all its forms. Now in its 8th edition (2026). A brand program driving on-premise advocacy and content.
• Art of ITALICUS Book Book celebrating the first five years of the brand documenting the history of aperitivo, featuring over 50 bartender recipes and a collection of exclusive artworks. Curated by @therealstrangerandstranger. Sold as brand merchandise.
• ARCO ITALICUS Limited Edition Limited edition bottle glorifier created in collaboration with Pininfarina, celebrating the 7th anniversary. Inspired by Italian architecture, featuring an arch design representing connection between past and present, crafted from recycled materials.

Quantifiable outcome

• Global recognition as 'Top Trending Aperitivo Brand' since launch

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Bad Company 1920 (Madrid)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Bad Company 1920 in Madrid, Spain, won the Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge 2025. Bartender Vincenzo Amorese was named Global Bar Artist 2025, representing Spain in the global competition.
• Sexy Fish LondoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2025Sexy Fish London is home to Jelena Bulatovskaja, third place winner in the Art of Italicus Aperitivo Challenge 2025, representing the UK market.
• PininfarinaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023In 2023, ITALICUS partnered with Pininfarina, bringing together two expressions of Italian excellence. Pininfarina was inspired by the design and shape of the ITALICUS bottle, creating 'ARCO ITALICUS' - a glorifier that accentuates the bottle's elegance whilst celebrating world-famous Italian art and style. The arch symbolizes connection between past and present, made from recycled materials with brass-colored elements. Launched as limited edition in early 2024.
• Smallcaps Venezia StudiominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Smallcaps Venezia studio design created a reinterpretation of the Arco ITALICUS and its inspiration, adding a colour 'pop' version of their artistic flair to celebrate 10 years of ITALICUS.
• Moniker ArtcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Moniker Art collaborated with ITALICUS for the Cities Reimagined project in 2021, inviting creatives worldwide to reimagine iconic cities through the lens of art and mixology. Inspired by local culture, architecture and the ritual of aperitivo, familiar landscapes became extraordinary canvases for creativity.
• Global Creative Talent Contest ParticipantsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020In 2020, ITALICUS celebrated the imagination and passion of talents from around the world through the Creative Talent Contest: a global celebration where art, aperitivo and storytelling came together, bringing people closer digitally during the pandemic.
• Quinary Bar (Hong Kong)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2020Quinary Bar in Hong Kong, ranked among top bars, is a venue for ITALICUS cocktails. Bartender Tuen Mun Yo Galin won Hong Kong ITALICUS Bar Artist 2025 with the cocktail 'Silk Road'.
• Ndusemes (Sound of ITALICUS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sound of ITALICUS soundtrack created in 2019 with Ndusemes celebrating the energy, creativity and emotions that bring people together during aperitivo experiences. The soundtrack accompanies cocktails at events and experiences.
• TheRealStrangerAndStrangercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018The Art of ITALICUS book curated by TheRealStrangerAndStranger brings together five years of creativity, celebrating the artists, ideas and collaborations that have helped define the brand's journey. A collection of inspiration, beautifully bound, created to be explored, shared and revisited.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Campari: Campari is the parent of Aperol and a major Italian bitter aperitivo brand. It competes with ITALICUS in the same on-premise cocktail occasions and Italian aperitivo heritage narrative, though it operates at much larger scale with a broad spirits portfolio.
• Aperol: Aperol is the dominant Italian aperitivo owned by Campari Group, serving the same pre-dinner aperitivo occasion as ITALICUS. As a mass-market brand with significantly larger distribution and marketing budgets, it is the most visible competitor in the aperitivo space that ITALICUS is trying to differentiate from at the premium tier.
• Martini & Rossi: Martini & Rossi is the world's leading vermouth and Italian aperitivo brand, owned by Bacardi. As a broad incumbent in the Italian aperitivo space, it competes with ITALICUS for the same aperitivo occasion and on-premise visibility, though at much larger scale.

Direct peers

• Tempus Fugit Spirits: Tempus Fugit Spirits is a craft producer of premium European liqueurs, cordials, and absinthe based in Switzerland. It is a direct peer to ITALICUS as a premium, design-led liqueur brand that focuses on authentic heritage recipes and on-premise cocktail positioning.
• Lillet: Lillet is a French aperitif owned by Pernod Ricard, positioned as a premium aperitif with sophisticated cocktail applications. It directly competes with ITALICUS in the premium aperitif space, with similar on-premise focus and brand heritage storytelling.
• Cynar: Cynar is an Italian artichoke-based bitter aperitif owned by Campari Group, positioned as a digestif and cocktail ingredient. It competes with ITALICUS in the broader Italian bitter aperitif category and is a frequent substitute in craft cocktail applications.
• Giulio Cocchi: Giulio Cocchi is a heritage Italian aperitif producer known for vermouth and Americano. Like ITALICUS, it is an Italian aperitivo brand with strong on-premise presence, classic bottle design, and a focus on Italian aperitivo heritage, serving as a direct premium peer.
• Luxardo: Luxardo is an Italian liqueur producer founded in 1821, famous for Maraschino and a range of premium Italian liqueurs. Like ITALICUS, Luxardo operates as a heritage Italian liqueur brand with strong on-premise presence and premium positioning, serving similar bartender and cocktail enthusiast communities.
• St-Germain: St-Germain is a premium French elderflower liqueur owned by Bacardi that achieved cult status in the cocktail community through its distinctive bottle design and on-premise bartending strategy. It is highly comparable to ITALICUS in its premium niche liqueur positioning, design-led brand, and cocktail occasion focus.
• Dolin: Dolin is a French vermouth and aperitif producer with a heritage dating to 1821, specializing in premium artisanal vermouths from the Chambéry region. It competes with ITALICUS in the premium aperitif and cocktail modifier category, with similar bartender community engagement and on-premise focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ItalicusRDB
• YouTubeyoutube.com/ITALICUSRosoliodiBergamotto
• Facebookfacebook.com/ItalicusAperitivo
• Instagraminstagram.com/ItalicusRDB
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/italicus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ITALICUS