Hospitality runs in Giorgio Bargiani’s blood. Coming from Pisa, Italy, the place he received his begin at his household’s restaurant, Bargiani joined the lauded Connaught Bar in London in 2014. At this time, he serves because the Assistant Director of Mixology, together with his creativity and affect extending to the worldwide bar scene, evidenced by his award for Worldwide Bartender of the 12 months in 2023 on the Tales of the Cocktail’s Spirited Awards. The latest manifestation of his ardour for the career is his personal glassware line, Bar/Giani, created in collaboration with world design model NUDE. We related with Bargiani to speak in regards to the assortment, his strategy to hospitality, and the plain affect of a stupendous cocktail glass.

Imbibe: Your popularity behind the bar precedes you. Are you able to inform us the way you strategy mixology, and what hospitality means to you?

Giorgio Bargiani: I consider mixology relates primarily to the artistic facet of our career that—as a bartender—retains me excited and motivated day by day to analysis and uncover new flavors, strategies, and vessels to at all times ship one thing new for our visitors. However hospitality, to me, means giving time to folks—personalizing every interplay to be able to go away particular and optimistic recollections to every person who takes the time to go to us.

How did the chance for the collaboration with NUDE come about? Had you ever considered designing your personal glassware line?

We received in contact with NUDE virtually two years in the past. And for the reason that first assembly we found alignment and shared imaginative and prescient to create a chic but versatile glassware vary to interact with the bartender neighborhood. I had dreamt to have my very own glassware assortment, although typically I assumed truly having one would by no means ever occurred. However at the moment I contemplate this an enormous milestone in my profession, particularly with a associate like NUDE.

Why did you select these 4 particular glassware varieties (plus mixing glass) for this line? What was your inspiration for the type?  

I selected to design one thing that will stand out, that may elevate every creation no matter setting. Martini glasses and mixing glasses are an enormous a part of what I do, so these have been a should. Outdated Usual and highball glasses, these days, are all very comparable in capability and form, so mine with the stem and smooth curves shall be completely different from what is usually used lately. The spritz glass embraces one of many greatest tendencies globally, and which normally makes use of extra of a wine glass. We reside in an period of cocktail minimalism, so the “all stemware” type of this assortment already provides that additional ingredient to every cocktail.

How do you suppose a stupendous glass impacts the general cocktail expertise?

With meals, we get excited with our eyes earlier than consuming one thing, and the identical applies to cocktails—a stupendous glass invitations us to drink. The act of lifting and dealing with the glass may very well be both meditative or make us really feel like a part of an event. The time period “cocktail costume” for instance mainly defines a way of life occasion.  

In case you might solely have one cocktail for the remainder of your life, which one wouldn’t it be and why?

The Piña Colada, as a result of life should be enjoyable! And ultimately I’ll be having fun with it in a tropical place.