The story behind Aquazzura Bar is a mosaic of elegant pieces. A fashion house (Aquazzura), a historic Roman hotel (Hotel de Russie), a beloved Mexican spirit (tequila), and two seasoned bartenders—Federico Pavan and Mattia Capezzuoli. Not to mention a celebrated chef, Fulvio Pierangelini.
Aquazzura Bar at Hotel de Russie
Let’s start at the beginning. We’re in the heart of Rome, steps from Villa Borghese and Piazza del Popolo. Here stands Palazzo Lucernari, home to the ultra-luxury Hotel de Russie, part of the Rocco Forte Hotels collection. In the same world of refined elegance is Aquazzura, the footwear, handbag, and tableware maison founded by creative director Edgardo Osorio—who happens to be a passionate tequila lover.
Lydia Forte shares that passion for Mexican spirits. As Group Director of Food & Beverage for Rocco Forte Hotels, her influence on bar concepts runs deep. One day, she and Edgardo dreamed up the idea of opening a bar dedicated to tequila—and giving mezcal its rightful place too.
Within Hotel de Russie’s lush garden—originally designed by architect Giuseppe Valadier in the early 19th century—there was a private event space tucked into one corner. Lydia and Edgardo decided to open it to the public, transforming the setting with new furnishings and a dedicated bar counter. That’s when Aquazzura Bar finally took shape.
Crafted by Federico Pavan and Mattia Capezzuoli
Vision needs execution. Enter Federico Pavan—right-hand man to Salvatore Calabrese and bar director at The Donovan Bar—who now oversees mixology for the Rocco Forte Hotels. He designed the Aquazzura Bar drink list, shining a spotlight on tequila, the spirit closest to Edgardo Osorio and Lydia Forte’s hearts.
Running the bar day-to-day is Bar Manager Mattia Capezzuoli. “Federico and I worked closely together on the recipes, the glassware, the ice, every last detail.” Adding a touch of artistry is Aquazzura’s own porcelain line, Secret Garden, adorned with botanical motifs and perfect for presenting the tapas curated by chef Fulvio Pierangelini, Rocco Forte Hotels’ creative food director.
The Cocktail List at Aquazzura Bar
Naturally, the menu offers a thoughtful selection of tequila and mezcal by the glass—but the stars of the show are the cocktails. First up: the Margarita of the Month. “We make it with seasonal fruit,” says Capezzuoli. “Strawberries, red berries, then we move into mango, pineapple, white peach, grapefruit, pomelo—each month brings a new twist.” Each Margarita can be served two ways: shaken and strained into a coupe, or frozen—blended with fruit purée and ice, in a tumbler.
A Cocktail for Every Occasion
Capezzuoli offers some pairing suggestions. “For a relaxed evening, I’d go with the Margarita—it’s light and refreshing, and we offer several versions: Tommy’s, classic, frozen. Plus, with the variety of tequila and mezcal brands available, guests can experiment with different bases.”
For a romantic date? “Kiss by Fire, hands down. It’s essentially a Tommy’s Margarita made with tamarind-infused tequila. Slightly spicy, fruity, playful and fresh—with a little kick that’s perfect for an intimate night.” And for a business meeting, where you only need one drink: “I’d recommend the Negroni Sfumato. It’s more structured, a bit stronger, and more of a sipping cocktail. We replace the gin with mezcal, which gives it a smoky profile and deeper body.”
A Pop-Up Until October
Aquazzura is a seasonal pop-up, scheduled to close by late October. Could it return? “I can’t say for sure,” Capezzuoli admits. “But we’ve invested in this space, and we’d definitely love to keep using it.”
Lydia Forte reflects: “Edgardo and I envisioned Aquazzura Bar while on vacation in Greece—relaxed, smiling, surrounded by friends—and we wanted to capture that mood. At the heart of our craft is bringing joy to people: welcoming each guest with a touch of magic. The secret is in the little things—the bartender’s warm greeting, the graceful shape of the glass, the chime of ice, the balanced flavour of the cocktail, the sounds and scents of the garden. But what truly lingers is the feeling—that moment transformed into a beautiful memory.”
Images courtesy of Hotel de Russie, Rocco Forte
