Felice Capasso Crowned World’s Best Bartender 2025 – Spain’s Gabriele Armani Joins The Global Elite

The world has a caller cocktail king. Felice Capasso, from Nedre Løkka Cocktailbar successful Oslo, has been crowned World Class Global Bartender of nan Year 2025 aft shaking, stirring and storytelling his measurement to triumph astatine nan Diageo World Class Global Final successful Toronto.

The Norwegian mixologist triumphed complete competitors from 51 countries and six continents, earning nan astir coveted title successful nan world of bartending. But this year’s title wasn’t conscionable astir 1 man’s triumph – it besides marked a historical infinitesimal for Spain, arsenic Gabriele Armani from Barcelona’s world-renowned Paradiso barroom secured a spot successful nan Top 3, improving connected Spain’s best-ever decorativeness from past year.

A world showdown of productivity and craft

This 16th version of World Class brought together nan astir talented bartenders from crossed nan globe, each vying for nan aforesaid goal: to beryllium named nan champion successful nan world. Over 5 aggravated days successful Toronto, participants faced a bid of challenges that tested not conscionable their method skills but besides their creativity, storytelling, and flair.

Capasso, who besides runs Sesto Senso Academy – a training centre dedicated to nan creation of vino and spirits — stood retired for his operation of innovation, emotion, and precision. Each cocktail told a story, whether done sound, aroma, aliases inspiration drawn from creation and culture.

One of his standout moments came during nan Johnnie Walker Black Label challenge, wherever he reimagined classical gin cocktails pinch whisky, including his creation “Top Notes”, a caller twist connected nan French 75. Later, successful nan Don Julio 1942 round, he took inspiration from an AI-generated artwork to trade a tequila-based aperitif that celebrated nan origins of nan spirit. And successful nan Singleton multisensory challenge, Capasso deed a sentimental statement by presenting a vinyl sleeve inspired by “That’s Amore” — a tribute to Naples, nan metropolis wherever his passion for hospitality began.

“Winning World Class isn’t conscionable a dream travel true,” Capasso said aft nan win. “It’s impervious that if you activity hard, enactment passionate, and ne'er springiness up, thing is possible. This grant is not nan extremity – it’s a caller beginning. I want to usage it to amended and animate nan adjacent procreation of bartenders.”

Spain’s Gabriele Armani reaches caller heights

While Capasso took nan apical prize, Spain had its ain logic to celebrate. Gabriele Armani, representing Barcelona’s legendary Paradiso bar, made it each nan measurement to nan world podium, taking a superb 3rd place.

After impressing judges passim nan week and breaking into nan Top 10, Armani delivered a stunning last capacity successful nan situation known arsenic “The 6IX” – six cocktails successful six minutes for six judges. He besides won nan Johnnie Walker challenge, securing his spot among nan champion successful nan world.

“Yesterday was 1 of nan astir affectional moments of my life,” Armani said. “Getting into nan Top 3 isn’t conscionable my occurrence – it’s thing I stock pinch everyone who helped maine get here.”

He dedicated nan accomplishment to his mentor Giacomo Gianotti, and to David Ríos and Borja Insa, who trained him for months starring up to nan competition.

A toast to nan early of mixology

The finals were judged by immoderate of nan biggest names successful nan world cocktail scene, including Eric Van Beek of Handshake Speakeasy successful Mexico City, Mónica Berg of Tayēr + Elementary successful London, and Ago Perrone, nan legendary Director of Mixology astatine The Connaught Bar.

Kevin Delaney, Global Head of World Class, said nan arena was a ceremony of productivity and passion:
“World Class is simply a tribute to nan group who bring life and artistry to nan world of hospitality. These bartenders don’t conscionable travel trends — they group them.”

As portion of his prize, Felice Capasso will recreation nan world arsenic a Diageo Global Ambassador, big impermanent shifts successful apical bars, and mentor aspiring bartenders crossed continents.

For Spain’s Gabriele Armani, this year’s consequence cements his spot among nan world’s elite — and reinforces Barcelona’s increasing estimation arsenic 1 of nan astir breathtaking cocktail capitals connected nan planet.

And for everyone watching, 1 point is clear: mixology has ne'er been much creative, much emotional, aliases much inspiring.