The programme for Como Lake Cocktail Week 2026 is one of its most ambitious yet. There are cocktails inspired by classic literature, a spotlight on two of today’s defining trends — low-ABV drinks and coffee mixology — and an international line-up featuring the team behind London’s acclaimed Tayēr + Elementary. These are just some of the highlights of the festival’s seventh edition, founded by Annalisa Testa and taking place from 1 to 5 July across some of Lake Como’s most prestigious hotels and venues.
Stories from a Book: Turning Literature into Cocktails
This year’s theme, Stories from a Book, invites bartenders to translate iconic literary works into signature cocktails. From Ernest Hemingway and Fyodor Dostoevsky to Alessandro Manzoni and Luigi Pirandello, each drink explores the atmosphere, characters or emotions of a different novel.
An introspective Martini draws inspiration from Crime and Punishment, while a Dry Martini references Hemingway‘s A Farewell to Arms. Pirandello’s The Late Mattia Pascal becomes Vivo, morto, nessuno, while J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series inspires reinterpretations of Butterbeer and Polyjuice Potion.
The literary journey also includes cocktails inspired by Hansel and Gretel, The Little Prince, Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, as well as Manzoni’s Sacred Hymns and The Fifth of May.
An Expanding Network, A Growing Festival
For founder Annalisa Testa, Cocktail Week has always been about more than drinks. “The project was created to build meaningful connections across each destination,” she explains, “bringing together hotels, cocktail bars, restaurants, chefs, bartenders, designers, artists and businesses operating within the broader worlds of hospitality and contemporary lifestyle. Beverage is the starting point for creating relationships, showcasing destinations and encouraging new collaborations between Italian and international partners.”
The festival’s continued growth reflects that ambition. Seven new venues — including luxury hotels, hotel bars and independent cocktail bars — join this year’s programme, alongside many returning participants from previous editions.
The Guest Line-Up at Como Lake Cocktail Week 2026
The seventh edition welcomes some of the most influential figures in contemporary bartending. Among the headline guests are Monica Berg and the team from Tayēr + Elementary, joined by Patrick Pistolesi, Max Venning, Alex Frezza, Davide Diaferia, Damiano Cappellini, Alberto Corvi, and the teams behind Lubna, Morgana and Yapa.
The programme also features Federico Valenti, winner of Taormina Cocktail Week 2025 — another event founded by Annalisa Testa, alongside the winter edition in St. Moritz. Meanwhile, the Lake Como Cocktail Competition 2026 will be judged by Luca Ardito, Carlo Carnevale and Davide Diaferia.
Coffee Culture and Low-ABV Drinks Take Centre Stage
Among this year’s most anticipated events is the Morning Coffee Club, held on Sunday morning in the secret garden of Piazzetta Lake Como.
Blending breakfast, music and conversation, the event reimagines the traditional morning ritual through low-alcohol cocktails and collaborations with professionals from the specialty coffee world, reflecting two of the industry’s fastest-growing areas of interest.
Further details, including the full programme and schedule, are available through the official Como Lake Cocktail Week 2026 website.
Images courtesy of Como Lake Cocktail Week
