On 4 Aug 2025, I was invited to take part in the takeover of Moebius Milano at the majestic Castello di Casole. For Moebius Milano, this was the icing on the cake of a remarkable year in which they won Best International Restaurant Bar at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards 2025, placed 38th in World’s 50 Best Bars 2024, and were awarded a coveted Michelin Star.

Bar Visconti, the venue for the takeover was spectacular, overlooking the rolling Tuscan hills in the province of Siena. For Moebius Milano owner Lorenzo Querci, 69th on Bar World 100 in 2025, the event at Castello di Casole was a bit of a homecoming given that he grew up in Siena. Sponsored by Diageo, the Moebius cocktails included Leaf and Tonic, a summer reinterpretation of the gin and tonic with Tanqueray 10 gin, Venturo, fig leaf and tonic water.

We were also treated to Hortus Vitae, the new bar menu powered by Simone Moschini, who tends to the vegetables, fruits and botanicals growing in the gardens at Castello di Casole. Simone’s garden is home to edible flowers, oyster leaves and many other interesting plants, allowing Bar Visconti to source its ingredients only a few steps away, for a true farm to bar cocktail experience. The menu embraces the growing trend of a lighter drinking style, including 5 low ABV and 3 zero ABV signature cocktails. The menu was designed by Food and Beverage manager Tommaso Ondeggia in collaboration with Bar Manager Alessio Onida and the team at Bar Visconti.

The Hortus Vitae physical menu itself is environmentally concious, made with coffee grounds, citrus peels, and recycled paper. The menu is presented next to a mini-display greenhouse showcasing some of Simone’s protagonist ingredients featured in the cocktails. One such plant is chamomile, featured as a homemade liqueur in Flora’s Harmony alongside fresh elderflower syrup, lemon juice and Farmer’s gin.

Moebius Milano x Bar Visconti at Castello di Casole (Photo by Julie)

Hortus Vitae (photo courtesy of Belmond by Letizia Cigliutti)

Simone Moschini and Alessio Onida (photo by Shane Eaton)

Alessio Onida and Tommaso Ondeggia of Bar Visconti, Castello di Casole (photo by Shane Eaton)

Lorenzo Antinori’s Bar Leone Hong Kong takes the top position at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025 in Macao

Italy maintains its prominent position in the global bartending scene, with Lorenzo Antinori’s Bar Leone in Hong Kong securing the top spot at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2025, announced last evening at the Wynn Palace in Macau. Owned and operated by Antinori—whose past roles include Argo Hong Kong and Dandelyan (crowned World’s Best Bar in 2018)—Bar Leone is renowned for its ‘cocktail popolari.’ The menu showcases a thoughtfully curated selection of classic cocktails with subtle, intriguing twists, all while embracing its identity as a neighborhood bar. Drawing inspiration from Rome’s Trastevere district, where Antinori grew up, the bar’s wood-paneled walls are decorated with football memorabilia and vintage Italian posters, creating a nostalgic ambiance. Emphasizing simplicity and consistency, Bar Leone’s offerings include drinks like the Filthy Martini—made with smoked olive brine—and their signature mortadella focaccia. The bar also made an impressive debut on The World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2024, achieving the No.2 spot.

Securing the second position is Zest in Seoul, a bar renowned for its sustainability efforts, which maintains its position from 2024 as The Best Bar in Korea, sponsored by Tia Maria, for the third consecutive year. Singapore’s Jigger & Pony, a neighborhood hotel bar, remains in third place, earning the title of The Best Bar in Singapore, sponsored by Torres Brandy, for six straight years. The 2025 list includes bars from 20 cities across Asia, with an exciting 20 new entries. Bangkok has overtaken Singapore as Asia’s cocktail capital, boasting seven bars on the list, led by Bar Us at No.4, named The Best Bar in Thailand, sponsored by Amaro Lucano.

Italian bartenders continue to be well-represented, including Saverio Casella, Principal Bartender at No.3 Jigger & Pony Singapore; Federico Balzarini, Beverage Manager at No.11 Argo Hong Kong; Silvio Daniele, General Manager of No.38 Cosmo Pony Jakarta; Matteo Cadeddu, Bar Manager of No.43 Opium Bangkok; and Marco Dongi of No.48 Bar Sathorn Bangkok.

In addition to the ranking, the ceremony also celebrated venues such as Hanoi’s Workshop14 with the Campari One to Watch award and Kathmandu’s Barc with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality award. Bartenders receiving individual awards included Jay Khan from Coa Hong Kong who was honoured with the Roku Industry Icon Award while Andrew Ho from Guangzhou’s Hope & Sesame won the Altos Bartender’s Bartender award.

Emma Sleight, Head of Content for Asia’s 50 Best Bars, commented: “Asia’s bars are consistently redefining cocktail excellence through talent and creativity. With 20 new entries—the most in recent years—this list reflects the innovative spirit of Asia’s bartending scene, offering unforgettable drink experiences for enthusiasts. Congratulations to Lorenzo Antinori and the team at Bar Leone on retaining the No.1 position, and for delivering a consistently outstanding hospitality experience that brings a touch of Rome to Hong Kong.”

Asia will continue to be at the forefront when the next World’s 50 Best Bars are announced in Hong Kong on October 8, 2025.

Italian version of article available on Bargiornale.