Person of the month: Maurizio Arberi

Person of the month: Maurizio Arberi

Oct 21, 2021Donatella Mulvoni

Our person of the month is Maurizio Arberi.

Maurizio has been an Italian bartender in the Hospitality industry for over 20 years. Born in Turin, he grew up in Sardinia, where he began his professional experience in magnificent Costa Smeralda. Then he moved to England, where he had the pleasure to serve many celebrities, including members of the Royal Family, Madonna, Mark Knopfler, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Sting, Alanis Morissette, Natalie Imbruglia, Duran Duran, Lionel Ritchie, Gwen Stefani, and many others. Back in Italy, he worked in Tuscany in the Chianti Classico area, where he studied at A.I.S., the Italian Sommelier Association, the most prominent sommelier school in Italy. He spent 10 years around hills, wineries, and castles, fully immersed in the wine world. Maurizio then moved to the Alps, in Aosta Valley, Courmayeur, and the Mountain Paradise. Finally, he moved to the United States, in Washington DC. He works at Imperfecto, one of the trendiest restaurants in town. On October 6, 2021 Maurizio was featured on the cover of The Washington Post Magazine.

 

When did your passion for cocktails begin?

My passion for cocktails began through my passion for food. I have always had a passion for combining and experimenting with flavors like an alchemist does.

 

As a professional, what were your first cocktails?

I still remember when in school our teacher taught us how to make Negroni. Since then, it has been my favorite cocktail.

 

Why you chose to live in Washington DC?

This is the capital! D.C. is very different from all other cities in the U.S. As you probably know, because of politics, every four years the city completely changes, due to turnover. It is fascinating. Also, Washington is not too big as a city, and the nature around it is beautiful. The truth is that it makes me feel at home.

 

What is the Italian drink that Americans love the most, and why?

Wine! Americans love our culture, and wine is the most authentic Italian cultural icon that they consume. As for cocktails, instead, the most loved is Spritz, for sure, followed by Negroni.

 

What are this fall's trends in the American bars?

In the fall, the perfect drinks are whiskey, cognac, and rum. With the arrival of cold weather, the drinks to prefer are those that go well with spices and seasonal fruits. A special note deserve hot drinks such as mulled.

 

What's your favorite drink for this fall?

When the summer is gone, I love the comfort of dark liquor in my drinks, think about Old Fashioned and Manhattan. For example, at Seven Reasons, our Old Fashioned is made with Maker's Mark cognac, Cocchi Dopo Teatro, and truffle honey.

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