ART OF ZERO: crafting the Future of Non-Alcoholic Mixology

Dry January can be fun. That was not just a statement — it was the creative spark behind the very first ADRIATICO ART OF ZERO Mocktail Competition, held in Copenhagen in January 2026.

With the launch of ADRIATICO Zero, the non-alcoholic version of our roasted and salted almonds amaretto, we set out to push the boundaries of mindful drinking and redefine what zero-proof mixology can truly be. Copenhagen — a city globally celebrated for its culinary innovation, design culture, and forward-thinking hospitality scene — was the natural stage for this challenge.

The competition was open to Danish-based bartenders, including talents from Malmö, Sweden. Their mission? To create a non-alcoholic cocktail that embodied the ADRIATICO philosophy: innovation, craftsmanship, and local terroir.

Participants were asked to showcase creativity using ADRIATICO Zero , encouraging homemade ingredients, fermentation techniques, and storytelling-driven presentations. From cordials to house ferments, every detail had to reflect both Italian know-how and Nordic identity.

Out of numerous submissions, ten finalists were selected for the Grand Finale hosted at the stunning Hotel Sanders – Green House Rooftop in Copenhagen on January 26th, 2026. There, they presented their creations live in front of the jury, transforming Dry January into a celebration of flavor, texture, and imagination. The competition was closely followed and supported by our Nordic Brand Ambassador, Erwan Le Bonniec, who guided and inspired the regional bartending community throughout the journey, reinforcing ADRIATICO’s commitment to meaningful connections within the Nordic hospitality scene.

And the Winner Is… Alok Bohara

The 2026 ART OF ZERO winner is Alok Bohara, from Donda Khana Restaurant in Copenhagen.His creation, Natsukashii, is a poetic tribute to childhood nostalgia — a flavorful and effervescent non-alcoholic serve inspired by dessert traditions and cultural memory.

NATSUKASHII

• 40ml Adriatico
• 15ml Raspberry
• Hibiscus Cordial
• 70ml Kheer Probiotic Soda
• Steel highball
• Garnish: hibiscus & raspberry dust, salted milk skin chips
• Method: Build

The concept draws inspiration from tiramisu — the very dessert memory that originally inspired ADRIATICO’s creation — reinterpreted through the lens of kheer, a beloved milk-based dessert. Creamy, floral, tangy, lightly fermented and sparkling, Natsukashii perfectly captured the spirit of the competition: innovation rooted in tradition.

By combining Italian Amaretto heritage with Nordic technique and personal storytelling, Alok delivered a serve that was both technical and emotional — a drink that proves zero alcohol does not mean zero.The winner received a fine dining experience for two at one of Copenhagen’s top restaurants, while guests also celebrated the People’s Choice cocktail with ADRIATICO goodies. But beyond the prizes, ART OF ZERO was about something deeper: shaping the future of non-alcoholic mixology. It was about empowering bartenders to explore texture, fermentation, terroir, and creativity without relying on alcohol as the primary structure. 

The ART OF ZERO 2026 in Copenhagen marked the beginning of a new generation non alcoholic Amaretto.

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