Maestro Lucano Cocktail Competition Brings Together 10 Top Mixologists

Maestro Lucano Cocktail Competition – Parlour

Amaro Lucano, is an Italian liqueur, produced in Pisticci, Basilicata. It started in 1894 where Pasquale Vena put together this secret blend of herbs, flowers, citrus and spices, creating a sweet and bitter drink.

In collaboration with Invasion Cocktail, the Maestro Lucano Cocktail Competition brought bartenders from across Ontario to share their Lucano recipes.

winner Jullian Sauso-Bawa

The final was held at Parlour in Toronto and the ten finalists, with their Lucano entry, were:

Lindsay Wood (DaiLo) – Limon Fior
Matt Boyle (Ottawa)- Bittersweet Symphony
Jullian Sauso-Bawa (Soho House)- L’ora D’oro
Josh Prout (The County General)- Lucano Spring Fling
Jake Valianes (Linwood Essentials)- A Night Sky in Pasticci
Fraser Firth (The Miller Tavern)- The Peacemaker
Tyler Newsome (Soho House)- Lucano Hits the Big Apple
Nick Incretolli (Tavern on George, Hamilton) –The Saltimbocca
Michele Maffei (Balsamico) –Mascalzone Latino
Mattheui Rajchman (East Thirty Six)- Soda Di Basilicata

The competition judges included:
Kelly Levison of Lucano USA
Mikaela Hollidge of LCBO
Zoltan Szabo (Sommelier)
Sarah Parniak of Now Magazine

The contestants prepared their drinks with a lot of showmanship and style in front of the judges. Many used interesting ingredients like olive oil, lavender bitters and peppercorn cordials.

Among the guests was Pasquale Provinzano of Lucano.

The winner was Jullian Sauso-Bawa, who received the grand prize of a trip to NYC, and runners-up Lindsay Wood and Jake Valianes.

Lindsay Wood (DaiLo)

Lindsay Wood – Limon Fior

Jake Valianes (Linwood Essentials)

Jake Valianes – A Night Sky in Pasticci

winner Jullian Sauso-Bawa

Jullian Sauso-Bawa (Soho House)

Jullian Sauso-Bawa (Soho House)

Mattheui Rajchman (East Thirty Six)

Mattheui Rajchman (East Thirty Six)

Mattheui Rajchman – Soda Di Basilicata

Jullian Sauso-Bawa (Soho House)

Jullian Sauso-Bawa – L’ora D’oro

Mattheui Rajchman (East Thirty Six)

(photos by Sari)