The very first edition of Sardinia Cocktail Week is officially underway. From June 9 to 15, 2025, the city of Cagliari will raise its glass to a celebration of Sardinian mixology in all its vibrant forms.
More than beaches: Sardinia’s spirited side
Born from the vision of writer Manolo Orgiana and photographer Roberto Satta—longtime champions of Italy’s culinary and cocktail culture—Sardinia Cocktail Week was created to tell a different story about the island. One that goes beyond sea and sand, and shines a light on a more unexpected Sardinia: one of world-class bartending, sophisticated food pairings, and compelling local talent waiting to be discovered and savoured.
What to expect in Cagliari
The week-long event unfolds across a rich tapestry of happenings: talks, tastings, pop-up bars, guest shifts and ten curated masterclasses led by both Sardinian and international distillers. Throughout the festival, participating bars will offer signature drinks crafted specifically for the occasion—an open invitation to explore local flavour, creative daring, and global influences in every sip.
Food, of course, has its rightful place. From pizza to gelato, from pastries to full-course menus, a lineup of restaurants and bars will propose drink pairings for all palates, including zero-proof options. A feast of taste, in every sense.
The bars and names behind the debut of Sardinia Cocktail Week
Most of the venues involved are Cagliari-based: Tailor’s, Matilde Cocktail Emporium, Ricicla Riduci Riusa, Sensus, Spirits Boutique, Gemini American Bar, the T Hotel Bar, and Cielo at Palazzo Tirso. Others hail from across the island, including The Duke Cocktail Lounge Bar (La Maddalena), Quetzal Cocktail Bar (San Gavino Monreale), Mint Julep Cocktail Bar (Olbia) and Monkey Bar (Porto Torres).
As for the guest roster, it’s long and impressive. Among the featured names: Giulia Caffiero (Geranium), Fabio Fanni (Locale Firenze), Elon Soddu (Amaro), Cristiana Pirinu (Donovan Bar), Matteo Cadeddu (Opium Bar), Riccardo Soncini (Disco), Claudia Bortolotti (Two Schmucks), Gian Matteo Mariano and Daniele Ambu (Spirits). And that’s just the beginning—Mario Farulla, Riccardo Pennacchia, Michele Filip, Simone Onorati, Carlo Simbula and many more will join in.
What’s in the glass
Tempted? Here are just a few of the signature creations that await. At Ricicla Riduci Riusa, the cocktail lineup includes: Flower Field (barley, peach, lemon, oregano, whole milk), Stay Fico! (rum, bitter, fig leaves, coconut milk), Fresh Bowl (white vermouth, blanco rum, ginger, apricot, lemon, egg white) and Freezed Peak (blanco tequila, artichoke liqueur, amaro, pimento honey, orange, lemon).
At Gemini American Bar, guests can sample a Drink and Drive with red berries, mint and CO₂; Bitter Sweet Symphony (bitter, vermouth, orange, saffron, CO₂); Espressione (rum, coffee liqueur, amaro, passion fruit); and Justin Bananini (banana-infused rye, banana water, banana bitters, fig leaf).
A toast to a new culture with Sardinia Cocktail Week
As Orgiana and Satta explain: “Sardinia Cocktail Week aims to become a cultural landmark for quality drinking on the island. It’s an opportunity to explore the art of mixology in all its nuance—elevating creativity, quality, and conscious enjoyment. With each edition, our goal is to build a growing community of curious and passionate drinkers, united by a more mindful approach to what we pour and why.”
Images courtesy of Sardinia Cocktail Week
