GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces the Top 10 Nominees for the 2023 Spirited Awards

NEW ORLEANS, LA (June 1, 2023) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Top 10 Nominees for the 17th annual Spirited Awards^®. Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards^® have become one of the industry’s most sought-after awards, recognizing beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale. In partnership with Forbes, the Spirited Awards^® official media partner, TOTCF will honor recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail^® (TOTC) conference, which is celebrating its 21st-year in New Orleans, July 23-28, 2023.

The Spirited Awards are comprised of industry accolades, both domestic and international, writing and media awards, and overall awards that transcend regionality, including World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. 

“The Tales Spirited Awards shortlist shows that in spite of ongoing challenges, our industry is in incredible health, with bars and bartenders continuing to create extraordinary guest experiences and elevate their craft in so many ways,” said International Chair Jacob Briars. “I think it is also heartening to see the wide range of nominees from so many different towns and cities across the US and around the world. Great cocktails can now be found anywhere, and that is a wonderful opportunity for cocktail lovers across the globe.”

In that spirit, the Foundation is proud to announce the Top 10 Nominees, broken into U.S., International, Media & Writing, and Global categories.

2023 Spirited Awards^® Top 10 Nominees (in alphabetical order):

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

International Bartender of the Year presented by The Busker

• Gina Barbachano — Hanky Panky, Mexico City, Mexico
• Giorgio Bargiani — The Connaught Bar, London, UK
• Aaron Diaz — Carnaval, Lima, Peru
• Kate Boushel — Atwater Cocktail Club / Milky Way Cocktail Bar, Montréal, QC, Canada
• Giacomo Giannotti — Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
• Martin Hudak — Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
• Uno Jang — Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel, Singapore
• Alessandro Palazzi — DUKES at Dukes Hotel, London, UK
• Daniel Schofield — SCHOFIELD’S BAR, Manchester, UK
• Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia

Best International Bar Mentor* presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Lorenzo Antinori
• Simone Caporale
• Evelyn Chick
• Shingo Gokan
• Trevor Kallies
• Jose Luis Leon
• Dre Masso
• Iain McPherson
• Danil Nevsky
• Agostino Perrone
• Christina Veira

*denotes 11 nominees due to a tie

Best International Brand Ambassador* presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Jenna Ba — Diageo
• Jordan Bushell — Hennessy Cognac
• Dickie Cullimore — Bacardi Rum
• Caitlin Hill — Rémy Cointreau
• Daniyel Jones — House of Angostura®
• Ally Martin — Hendrick’s Gin
• Dave Mitton — Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s
• Léa Messier — Dandurand Spirits
• Tim Philips-Johansson — Johnnie Walker
• Nicola Riske — The Macallan
• Claudia Cabrera Rodriguez — Fernet Branca
• Charmaine Thio — Hendrick’s Gin

*denotes 12 nominees due to a tie

Best International Bar Team presented by Angostura Caribbean Rum

• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montreal, QC, Canada
• COA — Hong Kong, China
• Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
• Hanky Panky — Mexico City, Mexico
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• La Factoria — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patr​​ón Tequila

• 🔶🟥🔵 — London, UK
• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montreal, QC, Canada
• BYRDI — Melbourne, Australia
• COA — Hong Kong, China
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
• SIPS — Barcelona, Spain

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

• ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
• BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
• Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Bulgari Bar at the The Bvlgari Resort — Dubai, UAE
• Charles H. at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Dean & Nancy on 22 at the A by Adina hotel — Sydney, Australia
• Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, Mexico
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Analogue Initiative — Singapore
• ARCA Restaurant & Bar — Tulum, Mexico
• Bar Kismet — Halifax, NS, Canada
• COCHINCHINA — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Continental Deli Bar Bistro — Sydney, Australia
• COYA Dubai — Dubai, UAE
• Danico — Paris, France
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• No Sleep Club — Singapore
• Zuma Dubai — Dubai, UAE

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• Bar Planet — Sydney, Australia
• Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
• CATA Agave Bar – Tamarindo, Costa Rica
• Ergo Cocktail Bar & Restaurant — Dubai, UAE
• Gucci Giardino 25 — Florence, Italy
• Last Word — Singapore
• Line Athens — Athens, Greece
• Mahaniyom Cocktail Bar — Bangkok, Thailand
• Night Hawk — Singapore
• Seed Library at One Hundred Shoreditch hotel — London, UK

U.S. CATEGORIES

U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard USA

• Chris Elford — Navy Strength / Here Today Brewery & Kitchen, Seattle, WA
• Abigail Gullo — loa at the International House hotel, New Orleans, LA
• Caer Maiko Ferguson — DrinkWell / Daijoubu, Austin, TX
• Shauna O’Neil — Sweet Liberty, Miami, FL
• Jessi Pollak — Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis, MN
• Kapri Robinson — Allegory at the Eaton Hotel, Washington, DC
• Christian Suzuki-Orellana — Wildhawk, San Francisco, CA
• Masahiro Urushido — Katanna Kitten, New York, NY
• Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s, New York, NY
• Christine Wiseman — Marygold’s Brasserie / Broken Shaker, Miami, FL

Best U.S. Bar Mentor* presented BarSmarts

• Bridget Albert
• Anu Apte
• Colin Asare-Appiah
• Jason Asher
• Julio Cabrera
• Alex Day
• Touré Folkes
• Kate Gerwin
• Anne Louise Marquis
• Nectaly Mendoza
• Jeffrey Morgenthaler
• Chris Patino

*denotes 12 nominees due to a tie

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented Libbey

• Kiowa Bryan — Spiribam
• Chris Cabrera — Bacardi USA
• Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
• Cameron George — Ardbeg Single Malts
• A-K Hada — Bacardi Rum
• Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
• Benny Hurwitz — Wild Turkey
• Anna Mains — Monkey Shoulder
• Jenna Murray — The Glenlivet
• Mary Palac — Campari Mexican Spirits

Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, DC
• Attaboy Nashville — Nashville, TN
• Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
• Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
• Nickel City — Austin, TX
• Overstory — New York, NY
• Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
• Service Bar — Washington, DC
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• Yacht Club — Denver, CO

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

• Bar Goto — New York, NY
• Bitter & Twisted — Phoenix, AZ
• Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
• Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
• Manolito — New Orleans, LA
• Nickel City — Austin, TX
• Overstory — New York, NY
• Service Bar — Washington, DC
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
• Yacht Club — Denver, CO

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, DC
• Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz — New Orleans, LA
• Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami — Miami, FL
• Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NY
• Hey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, OR
• Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay — Las Vegas, NV
• Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZ
• Midnight Rambler at The Joule — Dallas, TX
• Raines Law Room at the William — New York, NY
• White Limozeen at The Graduate — Nashville, TN

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo

• Arnaud’s French 75 Bar — New Orleans, LA
• Bicyclette Bistro — Los Angeles, CA
• Bresca — Washington, DC
• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
• Crown Shy — New York, NY
• Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
• Manhatta — New York, NY
• Palomar — Portland, OR

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• Amazonia — Washington DC
• Chez Zou — New York, NY
• Khla — Phoenix, AZ
• Martiny’s — New York, NY
• Marygold’s Brasserie at the Arlo Wynwood — Miami, FL
• Milady’s — New York, NY
• Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland — Portland, OR
• Refuge — Houston, TX
• The Butterscotch Den — Sacramento, CA
• UnderTow — Gilbert, AZ

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Boothby
• CLASS Magazine
• Difford’s Guide
• Drinks International
• Guest Check by SPILL
• Liquor.com
• Punch
• The Cocktail Lovers Magazine
• The Mix With Robert Simonson
• The Spirits Business

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Agave Road Trip
• Black and Brown Podcast
• Freepour
• Japan Distilled Podcast
• Perspectives by Campari Academy
• Radio Imbibe
• Shōshin Art Club 
• The Modern Bar Cart Podcast
• The Sipping Point 
• The Speakeasy Podcast

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• “A Rum Deal” by Dave Broom for Club Oenologique
• “How Americans ruined tequila — and the true believers saving it” by Lilah Raptopoulos, for Financial Times
• “How the Four Seasons Became an Incubator for Asia’s Best Bars” by Jake Emen, for VinePair
• “The Drinks Industry Has an Ageism Problem” by Betsy Andrews, for SevenFifty Daily
• “The Good, the Bad & the Artificial: How Big Data & Tech Are Infiltrating the Alcohol Industry” by Jake Emen, for VinePair
• “The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
• “The Secrets to the Best Dry Martini You’ll Ever Have” by David Wondrich, for The Daily Beast
• “This Is What Decolonizing a Spirit Looks Like” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch
• “Untold Story” by Yolanda Evans, for Imbibe
• “What is a Bar Without a Backbar?” by Danny Chau, for Punch

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• A Bartender’s Guide to the World by Lauren Mote & James O. Fraioli
• Black Mixcellence: A Comprehensive Guide to Black Mixology by Tamika Hall with Colin Asare-Appiah
• Drink Lightly by Natasha David
• Mindful Mixology: A Comprehensive Guide to No- and Low-Alcohol Cocktails with 60 Recipes by Derek Brown
• Modern Classic Cocktails by Robert Simonson
• Mueble Bar by François Monti
• The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
• THE COCKTAIL CABINET: The art, science and pleasure of mixing the perfect drink by Zoe Burgess
• The Cocktail Edit: Everything You Need to Know About How to Make All the Drinks that Matter by Alice Lascelles
• The New York Times Essential Book of Cocktails – Elevated and Expanded, edited by Steven Reddicliffe

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• A SENSE OF PLACE: A journey around Scotland’s whisky by Dave Broom
• Brand Mysticism: Cultivate Creativity & Intoxicate Your Audience by Aaron Goldfarb and Steven Grasse
• Dicktales (or Thankyou and Sluggings) by Dick Bradsell
• Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails by Camper English
• Drink Like a Local New York: A Field Guide to New York’s Best Bars by Amanda Schuster
• Exploring the World of Japanese Craft Sake by Nancy Matsumoto and Michael Tremblay
• Gurú. Manual (multisensorial) de Coctelería by Diego Cabrera
• Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
• The Art of Whisky by Ernie Button
• Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

• Contraluz Cristalino Mezcal
• Drumshanbo Gunpowder Irish Gin California Orange Citrus
• Hendrick’s Neptunia
• Martini & Rossi Floreale Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
• Martini & Rossi Vibrante Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
• Mijenta Añejo Gran Reserva
• Nocheluna Sotol
• PATRÓN El Alto Tequila
• Saint Benevolence Aged Rum Clairin
• The Fords Gin Co. Sloe Gin

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, DC
• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Bitter and Twisted — Phoenix, AZ
• Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
• Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Licorería Limantour — Mexico City, Mexico
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Baba Au Rum — Athens, Greece
• Barro Negro — Athens, Greece
• In Situ Mezcalería — Oaxaca, Mexico
• KOL Mezcaleria — London, UK
• Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Salón de Agave at Casa Prunes — Mexico City, Mexico
• Sexy Fish London — London, UK
• Swift Soho — London, UK
• The Office — Chicago, IL

Spirited Awards^® 2023

Spirited Awards Top 4 Finalists and the recipients for the Helen David Lifetime Achievement, Visionary & International/U.S. Timeless Awards will be named on June 21, 2023. All winners will be celebrated on July 27, 2023 at the 17th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony at the Fillmore New Orleans. Spirited Awards Ceremony tickets will be available via the TOTCF website on June 8, 2023. 

Spirited Awards^® Judges

Below is a list of Spirited Awards^® Chairs, responsible for overseeing the judging process this year:

• Spirited Awards Overall Chair
  • Charlotte Voisey
• Spirited Awards International Chair
  • Jacob Briars
• Asia Pacific Co-Chairs
  • Lorenzo Antinori
  • Sam Bygrave
  • Pankaj Balachandran
  • Charmaine Thio
• Canada Co-Chairs
  • Kate Boushel
  • Sabrine Dhaliwal
• Europe Co-Chairs
  • Roberta Mariani
  • Nicola Riske
• Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs
  • Carlos Aguinsky
  • Jean Trinh
• Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs
  • Stephen “Kojo” Aidoo
  • Cassandra Eichhoff
  • Caitlin Hill
• U.S. Central Co-Chairs
  • Steva Casey
  • Lynn M. House
• U.S. East Co-Chairs
  • Jackson Cannon
  • Laura Cullen
• U.S. West Co-Chairs
  • Jason Asher
  • Mary Palac
• Writing & Media Co-Chairs
  • François Monti
  • Matthew Rowley
  • Sandrae Lawrence
• Timeless Co-Chair
  • Jared Brown
  • Anistatia Miller

Spirited Awards^® judges are a collection of respected bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe entrusted with this critical calling. Drawing on their years of experience and their knowledge of the current work being done locally, nationally, and internationally, together the judges can evaluate nominees from far and wide to ensure that the Spirited Awards^® represents the breadth and diversity of the global drinks industry. 

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards^® Committee is dedicated to valuing the inclusion of the communities we serve by ensuring that our judging panel reflects their incredible diversity in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. Recognizing that inclusion is key to a well-represented committee, TOTCF strives to ensure that we have an equitable representation of gender across the judging panel. The Spirited Awards^® are not based on popular vote and all nominations are evaluated by their respective judging committees. 

PDXCW 2023 Student Applications Are Live!

Apply to be a student at PDXCW! As a student, you will participate in educational tracks, attend classes and field trips, and go to all of the fantastic sponsored events (like those fun nighttime parties). Tickets, as always, are completely free to bartenders.

Would you like to go to learn the science behind smoky flavors? Maybe you’d love to learn how to shuck oysters and pair them with whiskey! Perhaps an in-depth tasting with a Master Distiller excites you! Experience five days of incredible food, drink, learning, and connection as a student at PDXCW 2023.

What is PDXCW?

Portland Cocktail Week is an educational program designed to help bartenders take the next step in their careers. Over 300 students will be accepted into the program, and of those, a small percentage will be given a scholarship that covers their accommodation at the host hotel. Portland Cocktail Week 2023: October 1-5.

Who can attend PDXCW?

Portland Cocktail Week is open to all people working in the hospitality industry, but Student spots are reserved for working bartenders.

How do I attend PDXCW?

You came to the right place! This application is the determining factor in selecting Portland Cocktail Week Students. Please CAREFULLY fill out this ENTIRE form to be considered.

By applying as a Student for PDXCW, you are automatically signed up for a Bartender Pass, which gets you into all of the events and the ability to audit classes on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications open through July 10, 2023.

Apply here.

 

GSN Alert: Q Mixers to the ResQ

This summer, Q Mixers is challenging people to not let the fear of the dreaded hosting hangover stop them from throwing their epic summer party. @QMixers is here to the “ResQ” by hooking lucky winners up with home cleaning services from Handy (total value of ~$429) and re-stocking their home bar with Q’s very best selection of summer mixers. All you have to do is post your party pic tagging #HostingResQ or simply enter at: www.qmixers.com! (Sweepstakes runs between 5/30 at 7am CST and 7/10 at 11:59 CST. Some terms and conditions apply, public profile, must be 21 and over, legal resident of the US)

Summer Cocktail Recipes from QMixers

Rum

Summer Hibiscus Cooler

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Rum, Passionfruit Rum, or Coconut Rum

½ oz Lime Juice

½ oz Simple Syrup (1 part sugar, 1 part water)

1 Can Q HIBISCUS GINGER BEER

1 Lime Wheel

METHOD

Shake all ingredients, except the Q HIBISCUS GINGER BEERand strain into a highball glass filled with ice then top with the Q HIBISCUS GINGER BEER and garnish with a lime wheel.

Dark and Stormy

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz Goslings Dark Rum

5 oz Q GINGER BEER

½ oz Lime Juice

METHOD

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the Q GINGER BEER and squeeze in the lime. Top with the rum so it floats on the top, looking like a dark storm cloud that will force you to stay at the bar all afternoon. For a lighter but still delicious version, try our Q LIGHT GINGER BEER

Vodka

Spectacular Bloody Mary

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Premium Vodka

6 oz Q SPECTACULAR BLOODY MARY MIX

Garnish of your choice – we love it with a wedge of lemon & a crisp celery stalk

METHOD

Fill a glass with ice and add your favorite vodka. Pour in the Q SPECTACULAR BLOODY MARY MIX, gently stir and add your choice of garnish.

Q-Cumber Mule

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz Vodka

½ oz Lime Juice

4 Basil Leaves

4 ¼ inch Cucumber Slices

5 oz Q GINGER BEER

METHOD

Shake all ingredients except the Q GINGER BEER and strain into a mule mug filled with ice. Top with Q GINGER BEER and garnish with a cucumber slice.

For a lighter but still delicious version, try our Q LIGHT GINGER BEER

Sparkling Greyhound

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz your favorite vodka

5 oz Q SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT

1 Lime Wedge

Grapefruit Peel

METHOD

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the vodka and squeeze in the lime, leaving the lime wedge in the glass. Then pour in the Q SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT, garnish with the grapefruit peel and gently stir.

Whiskey

Summer Night Sipper

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Rye Whiskey

0.5 oz Aperol

5 oz Q SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT

1 Lemon Wheel

METHOD

Build in highball glass filled with ice and top with Q SPARKLING GRAPEFRUIT. Garnish with a lemon wheel.

Blackberry Fizz

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Rye Whiskey

1 oz Lemon Juice

4 tsp Honey

4 Blackberries

5 oz Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC

METHOD

Muddle blackberries in the bottom of mixing glass. Add all other ingredients and shake. Strain into a large champagne coupe or martini glass. Top with Q ELDERFLOWER TONIC.

Triple B Mary

INGREDIENTS

2 oz Bourbon

2 tsp BBQ Sauce

½ oz Lemon Juice

8 oz Q SPECTACULAR BLOODY MARY MIX

1 Bacon Slice Garnish

METHOD

Mix all ingredients in a highball glass and stir until the ingredients are incorporated. Garnish and serve.

Gin 

Easy Beesy

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Gin

0.5 oz Lemon Juice

0.5 oz Honey

4 oz Q GINGER BEER

1 Lavender or Thyme Sprig Garnish

METHOD

Dissolve the honey in the lemon juice, add the gin and shake. Strain into a highball glass filled with ice and top with Q GINGER BEER.

Over Thyme

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz Gin

1 oz Fresh Red Grapefruit Juice

½ oz Honey

4 oz Q SPECTACULAR TONIC WATER

Thyme Sprig

METHOD

Dissolve honey in grapefruit add gin and shake. Strain into a highball glass and top with Q SPECTACULAR TONIC WATER, garnish with thyme sprig.

Southside Royale

INGREDIENTS

1 ½ oz Premium Gin

¾ oz Lime Juice

¾ oz Simple Syrup

8 Mint Leaves

4 oz Q GINGER ALE

METHOD

Lightly muddle mint, lime juice and sugar syrup in bottom of a large highball glass. Add gin and ice then stir vigorously with long handled spoon. Top with Q GINGER ALE and garnish with a fresh mint sprig. 

Tequila/Mezcal

Smoke and Spice Margarita

INGREDIENTS

2 oz Mezcal

½ oz Ancho Reyes Liqueur

5 oz Q SPECTACULAR MARGARITA MIX

¼ Lime Juice

1 Fresh Jalapeno Slice

METHOD

Pour ingredients in the above order into an ice filled glass. Stir gently.

5 O’Clock Fizz

INGREDIENTS

1½ oz Blanco Tequila

¾ oz Campari

¾ oz Lime Juice

5 oz Q HIBISCUS GINGER BEER

METHOD

Shake all ingredients except the ginger beer and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Top with Q HIBISCUS GINGER BEER and garnish with an orange peel.

Ranch Water

INGREDIENTS

1 oz Your favorite tequila

1 can Q CLUB SODA

1 Lime Wedge

METHOD

Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in tequila and squeeze in a lime. Top with Q CLUB SODA and gently stir.

GSN Alert: North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023

The list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, sponsored by Perrier, was announced at a live awards ceremony on May 4, 2023 at Hacienda Los Picachos in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. This represents the first time the awards ceremony was staged in Mexico and salutes its presence on the global cocktail scene. The annual ranking features bars from across the North American continent, including the USA, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. New York City’s Double Chicken Please is crowned No.1 as The Best Bar in North America and The Best Bar in Northeast USA, sponsored by Perrier, with Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy ranking No.2 and claiming the title of The Best Bar in Mexico, followed by New York City’s Katana Kitten at No.3. 

Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.12) wins the title of The Best Bar in Canada for the second year in a row, while Puerto Rico’s La Factoría, at No.24, retains its title of The Best Bar in the Caribbean. Overall, the USA leads the list with 28 bars, with Mexico fielding 14, Canada boasting seven and the Caribbean celebrating one top bar.  

The full list of North America’s 50 Best Bars 2023 is at the bottom of this press release.  

The brainchild of GN Chan and Faye Chen, Double Chicken Please is a groundbreaking New York City bar with an ingenious cocktail program based on the concept of “hacking design.” Here, cocktails are deconstructed then reassembled in new, playful and creative ways. At Double Chicken Please, drinks are inspired by food and food is inspired by drinks, creating surprising, delightful and unexpected sensory experiences. Their mind-boggling cocktails, like the Key Lime Pie and Cold Pizza, leave their guests delighted and utterly perplexed as to how these unique flavors are so accurately transmogrified into liquid works of art. Last year, the bar burst on the global stage at The World’s 50 Best Bars, coming in at No.6 and earning the Disaronno Highest New Entry Award, as well as placing at No.17 on the inaugural list of North America’s 50 Best Bars. 

Mark Sansom, Content Director for 50 Best, says: “We commend Double Chicken Please and its visionary founders, GN Chan and Faye Chen, for reaching the peak of cocktail excellence on the North American continent. Double Chicken Please is truly pushing the boundaries of flavor in cocktails and doing so with staggering creativity and precision, not to mention a wonderful sense of humor, humility and always flawless hospitality. This remarkable achievement did not come overnight. The duo persevered through the very challenging days of the pandemic, never once compromising their original vision for cocktails inspired by food dishes, even though their dream bar’s very viability was at risk. They not only survived but thrived, sending joyful shockwaves through the New York City drinks community that have reverberated across North America and globally. We congratulate GN, Faye and the team at Double Chicken Please for this deserved accolade, as well as all the other fantastic bars on this year’s list.” 

Elisa Gregori, Perrier Global Business Unit Director, says: “Since its presence on the tables of the best bars and hotels in the 1800’s, Perrier has always had deep historic roots with the North American continent. Today, Perrier is proud to be the leading partner of North America’s 50 Best Bars and excited to be able to return for a second edition in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. It’s our honor to recognize the hard work, creativity and innovation of the talented bartenders, mixologists and professionals who continue to elevate the international bar scene daily. Having our roots in the French café society, we’re proud to commemorate and shine a spotlight on the exceptional talents behind the awarded North America’s 50 Best Bars. The entire Perrier team is grateful to the bar community for the hard work and dedication that goes into creating unforgettable experiences for all who enter your doors. We raise our glass to you, congratulations!”

USA: The Big Apple Accounts for a Lion’s Share of Top U.S. Bars
A stalwart of the craft cocktail movement, New York City continues to field a lion’s share, 12 of the 28 U.S. drinks listees, including the continent’s highest achievers. They include Double Chicken Please (No.1), Katana Kitten (No.3), Dante (No.6) and Overstory, winner of the Nikka Highest Climber that jumped 27 spots to No.7. These notable watering holes are joined by last year’s No.1 winner, Attaboy, now at No.13, Employees Only (No.14), Mace (No.18), new to the list Martiny’s (No.29) and Maison Premiere (No.39), The Dead Rabbit (No.44), Clover Club (No.46) and new listee Milady’s (No.50). 

Other mixological hotbeds across the U.S. include New Orleans’ Jewel of the South, which bounced up 24 spots from last year to rank No.5 and earn The Best Bar in South USA,with Cure ranking No.36. In the Windy City, Chicago’s Kumiko (No.8) was named The Best Bar in Midwest USA, with new entry Milk Room ensconcedat No.38. 

Los Angeles’ Thunderbolt landsat No.10 and again wins the title of The Best Bar in West USA. Also representing the West are Las Vegas’ Herbs & Rye at No.27, San Francisco’s new listee Pacific Cocktail Haven at No.28, Los Angeles’ Death & Co at No.30, Phoenix’s new-to-the-list Platform 18 at No.48 and San Diego’s new entry, Youngblood, at No.49.

In Washington, D.C., Service Bar (No.33) is joined by Allegory (No.45), a new entry that garnered the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu title. Other U.S. bars on the list include Miami’s Sweet Liberty (No.34), Honolulu’s Bar Leather Apron (No.41), as well as Denver’s Yacht Club (No.42), a new listee that also earned the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award. 

Mexico: Mexico City Continues Its Leadership, Fielding 8 Bars of Mexico’s 14
Now firmly established as a global cocktail destination, Mexico City accounted for more than half of the best bars in Mexico. Handshake Speakeasy (No.2) retains its position and is again named The Best Bar in Mexico, with Licorería Limantour at No.4. They are joined by Baltra Bar (No.16), list newcomer Rayo (No.17), Hanky Panky (No.20), Café de Nadie (No.25), Kaito del Valle (No.26) and new listee Brujas (No.47). 

That being said, cocktail excellence is rippling through the bar scene across the formidable Latin American nation. Playa del Carmen’s Zapote Bar places No.11, Guadalajara’s El Gallo Altanero comes in at No.21, Oaxaca’s Sabina Sabe secures No.22, Tulum’s Arca finishes at No.23, Oaxaca’s Selva ranks No.31 and Tijuana’s new listee, Aruba Day Drink, arrives at No.40.

Canada: The Most Northerly Nation on the Continent Boasts 7 Bars, Including 3 Newcomers
Toronto’s Civil Liberties (No.12) earns The Best Bar in Canada for the second year in a row. It is followed by list newcomers Bar Pompette (No.15), also in Toronto, Botanist Bar (No.19) in Vancouver, B.C. and Atwater Cocktail Club (No.32) in Montreal. These bars surged ahead of list veterans Cloakroom (No.35) in Montreal, as well as Toronto’s Mother (No.37) and Bar Mordecai (No.43).  

The Caribbean: All Eyes on Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s La Factoría (No.24) is once again crowned The Best Bar in the Caribbean as the sprawling complex of six drinking dens celebrates its 10th anniversary.

Special Awards 
Among the glamorous evening’s highlights, New York City’s Manhatta was presented the Campari One To Watch, an accolade given to a bar outside the main list that the 50 Best team believes has the ability to break into the ranking in future editions.  

Allegory (No.45) in Washington, D.C., earns the Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award. The pioneering menu allegorically tells the story of Civil Rights Activist Ruby Bridges as seen through the lens of Alice in Wonderland. Any bar on the North American continent was eligible to enter this award, which is graded by a panel of Academy Chairs. The Siete Misterios Best Cocktail Menu Award was introduced in 2021 and rewards innovation, design, drinks craft and idea communication. 

Julio Cabrera of Miami’s Café La Trova (No.9) receives the laurels as Roku Industry Icon. For this award, all 260 members of the voting Academy are asked to name the person who has done more for the progress of the bar industry than any other individual. The Cuban-born bartending legend is credited with transplanting the island nation’s proud cantinero-style to the U.S., where it has taken root and flourishes at Café La Trova in a high energy, modern guise.

Mexico City’s Rayo earns the London Essence Best New Opening title at No.17, as the bar that enters the list in the highest position of any that have opened during the voting period. Rayo celebrates Mexican and global spirits in cocktails that tell stories. Its name is inspired by the legend of the goddess Mayahuel, who took the form of an agave plant. When struck by a lightning bolt (rayo), it released a liquid that, when fermented, became pulque. 

Denver’s Yacht Club, owned by Mary Allison Wright and McLain Hedges, nabs the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award, which is bestowed on a bar that demonstrates the strongest commitment to sustainability. The Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award is independently adjudicated by 50 Best’s audit partner, the Sustainable Restaurant Association. 

Additional special award winners announced in the run-up to the May 4 event included Vancouver’s Botanist Bar, which was feted with the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award and Christine Wiseman of Bar Lab Hospitality in New York, Miami, Chicago and Los Angeles, was celebrated as the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award.  

1-50 LIST
 

Position	Bar	Town
1	Double Chicken Please	New York City
2	Handshake Speakeasy	Mexico City
3	Katana Kitten	New York City
4	Licorería Limantour	Mexico City
5	Jewel of the South	New Orleans
6	Dante	New York City
7	Overstory	New York City
8	Kumiko	Chicago
9	Café La Trova	Miami
10	Thunderbolt	Los Angeles
11	Zapote Bar	Playa del Carmen
12	Civil Liberties	Toronto
13	Attaboy	New York City
14	Employees Only	New York City
15	Bar Pompette	Toronto
16	Baltra Bar	Mexico City
17	Rayo	Mexico City
18	Mace	New York City
19	Botanist Bar	Vancouver
20	Hanky Panky	Mexico City
21	El Gallo Altanero	Guadalajara
22	Sabina Sabe	Oaxaca
23	Arca	Tulum
24	La Factoría	San Juan
25	Café de Nadie	Mexico City
26	Kaito del Valle	Mexico City
27	Herbs & Rye	Las Vegas
28	Pacific Cocktail Haven	San Francisco
29	Martiny’s	New York City
30	Death & Co (Los Angeles)	Los Angeles
31	Selva	Oaxaca
32	Atwater Cocktail Club	Montreal
33	Service Bar	Washington, D.C.
34	Sweet Liberty	Miami
35	Cloakroom	Montreal
36	Cure	New Orleans
37	Mother	Toronto
38	Milk Room	Chicago
39	Maison Premiere	New York City
40	Aruba Day Drink	Tijuana
41	Bar Leather Apron	Honolulu
42	Yacht Club	Denver
43	Bar Mordecai	Toronto
44	The Dead Rabbit	New York City
45	Allegory	Washington, D.C.
46	Clover Club	New York City
47	Brujas	Mexico City
48	Platform 18	Phoenix
49	Youngblood	San Diego
50	Milady’s	New York City

GSN Alert: The World’s 50 Best Bars Announces The Bareksten Best Bar Design Award

25 April 2023 – The World’s 50 Best Bars has today unveiled a brand-new award that will celebrate the very best in bar design – The Bareksten Best Bar Design Award. Judged by an esteemed panel of hospitality design experts, bars from anywhere in the world are invited to submit their venues for consideration from today. Entries will close in June and the winner will be announced at The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony in Singapore on Tuesday 17 October 2023. Bars can nominate themselves on the 50 Best website.

The Bareksten Best Bar Design Award was created to reward bars across the globe for thoughtful and appropriate design and will go beyond style and taste to hit touchpoints of accessibility, sustainability and appropriateness for its market. Each entry will be judged on six key pillars, including innovation, aesthetics, accessibility, ergonomics, ecological compatibility and emotional quotient.

Mark Sansom, Content Director for The World’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Each year, we try to grow The World’s 50 Best Bars ecosystem. In 2023 we have chosen to launch the Bareksten Best Bar Design Award, which is the 50 Best brand’s first foray into design. To help us do this, we have consulted with six of the greatest minds in global bar design, who will be our judges for this award. As it is open to any bar, anywhere in the world, we hope to see some brilliantly designed bars that we’re not yet familiar with thrust into the global spotlight.”

The six internationally renowned judges from the world of hospitality design are:

Alia Akkam – A native New Yorker, experienced drinks and design journalist and self-confessed Europhile, Alia Akkam has called Budapest home since 2015. She is a contributing editor at Beverage Media and Hospitality Design and contributes regularly to Architectural Digest‘s AD PRO vertical as well as ICON, OnOffice and Barron’s PENTA publications. Akkam has an affinity for writing about cocktails and bars, as well as interiors, travel, food and culture. In 2020 she published Behind the Bar: 50 Cocktail Recipes from the World’s Most Iconic Hotels and has followed that up with the 2022 release Behind the Bar: Gin. She is also an Academy Chair for The World’s 50 Best Bars.

Anirudh Singhal – After helping launch numerous trend-setting restaurants and bars, Singhal is now the man behind Speedx, a firm built to design hospitality venues from the ground up on the principles of ergonomics and comfort. Now, Speedx has built over 500 bars across India, including all of the country’s entries on The World’s 50 Best Bars and Asia’s 50 Best Bars rankings; they are the largest bar design and build company in the country. He has recently launched Haus of Bars by Speedx, an online store giving the public access to professional-grade equipment to create the ultimate home bar.

Bethan Ryder – With over 25 years’ experience in design, interiors and travel journalism, Ryder is an expert in what makes a great bar. Now the executive editorial director at the leading global trend forecasting agency WGSN since 2020, she has previously held senior editorial positions at Elle Decoration, Wallpaper* and Telegraph Luxury and has contributed to numerous titles including Sunday Times Style, The Guardian, Interior Design and the Evening Standard. She has also edited four books on bar, restaurant and club interiors for Laurence King Publishing, regularly chairs talks on design and hosted the House of Tales podcast series.

Paul Semple – Semple is one of two masterminds behind the hospitality-focused interior design studio MSDO, founded in 2020 alongside his lifelong collaborator Matthew Shang. With over 20 years of experience working around the world, including over five years leading the global hospitality team at multinational architecture firm Hassell, Semple has been based in Singapore since 2004. He has overseen and led design projects ranging from opulent retail spaces to large-scale hospitality venues, city hotels, small resort properties and award-winning bar projects. Semple’s client-focused, intimate and joyful creations cement his position as an industry leader in hospitality design.

Scott Baird – Baird is a San Francisco Bay Area native and a hospitality veteran of the region. After years behind the bars of a trio of lauded venues in the US, he founded the creative agency Rococo Cantaloupe, which is built from the ground up to “make drinks, throw parties and create fun”. His company has been behind the successful design revamp of many bars across the US, such as Zeppelin and Moonshot in Nashville. Since 2021, he has owned two bars in the US, with his sights now firmly set on designing and opening a third bar in Mexico City in the future.

Shaun Clarkson – Clarkson has headed up his own eponymous London-based design agency for over 32 years, working exclusively in hospitality, across the spectrum. Known for his diversity of projects and for his vivid colour palette, Clarkson has been involved in brand development for the drinks industry, most notably working with vodka and Champagne brands, creating events around luxury launches. He also has a wealth of experience as an operator, owning bars, cafés and ‘home-tels’ (some of the UK’s most iconic fantasy holiday homes).

Stig Bareksten, Founder and Master Distiller of Oss Craft Distillery, makers of Bareksten Spirits, says: “We are pleased to sponsor this award since design has always been an important element for Bareksten: when I launched my brand, my aim was not only to put all our efforts into enhancing the drinking experience of our customers, but also to impact them visually with our design. Creativity is essential in our work and the more you manage to include it in all elements that are part of it, the higher effect you generate. In the same way, I consider that a bar should not only focus its creativity to the drink proposal but to the whole environment that hosts the experience, indeed the bar design. This is the reason why I believe that Bar Design should also be recognised.”

Any bar can self-nominate for the award and there is no restriction on how long the bar has been open. All entries will be judged anonymously. Entries open on Tuesday 25 April and will close in June. Bars can enter for the award here.

The winner will be announced at a live ceremony in Singapore on Tuesday 17 October alongside the countdown of the list of The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, sponsored by Perrier. The ceremony will be broadcast live to a global audience who are not able to attend in person. Bar and cocktail lovers are invited to join through The World’s 50 Best Bars Facebook page and 50 Best Bars TV channel on YouTube.

GSN Alert: Registration Now Open For Bar Convent Brooklyn 2023

NEW YORK (March 1, 2023) – Bar Convent Brooklyn (BCB Brooklyn), one of the leading international trade events for the bar and beverage industry, announces the official opening of registration for the 2023 show today. Returning to Brooklyn’s Industry City on Tuesday, June 13 and Wednesday, June 14, this year’s event marks the fifth in-person show and will have increased space with more exhibitors, demonstrations, and seminars. 

Since the inaugural show in 2018, Bar Convent Brooklyn provides a welcoming and collaborative environment in which industry professionals discuss and celebrate liquid culture through education, networking, and more. The event has seen solid growth each year in the number of attendees, exhibitors, and education sessions, with 2022 reaching record breaking numbers in all three categories. 

“The continued growth of Bar Convent Brooklyn has been absolutely incredible,” Jackie Williams, Bar Convent Brooklyn’s Event Director. “Last year, we reached pre-pandemic numbers, and we know this year will be even more successful. We have really compelling programming and educational sessions that will be sure to delight and inspire attendees. Bar Convent Brooklyn has been and always will be a place for industry friends to come together to learn about the newest trends, try the newest spirits or rediscover some old favorites, network and much more, and I’m excited to welcome everyone to this year’s show.”

What’s New for 2023:

• Education
  • Bar Convent Brooklyn 2023 will feature 14 additional seminars, making for more than 50 educational sessions. 
  • The education committee has carefully curated the Main Stage educational sessions and is comprised by leading industry experts, including:
    • Lynnette Marrero, Co-Founder of Speed Rack and Beverage Consultant
    • Samantha Casuga, Head Bartender at Temple Bar
    • John deBary, Author of Saved By The Bellini
    • Touré Folkes, Founder and Program Director of Turning Tables
    • Chelsea Gregoire, Founder and Hospitality Director of Church Bar and Owner/Consultant of Drinkable Genius
    • Caer Maiko, Co-Creator of Daijoubu Pop-Up and General Manager at DrinkWell
    • Sarah Troxell, Bar Director at Daiquiri Time Out
• And More to Come!
  • Bar Convent Brooklyn will announce additional initiatives, exhibiting brands and the final education program soon. Stay tuned for details. 

Tickets can now be purchased here on the Bar Convent Brooklyn website, starting at an Early Bird Rate of $60 for one-day and $100 for two-days available until April 9. From April 10 – June 10, pre-purchased tickets online will be priced at $80 for one-day and $130 for both days. Upon availability, tickets at the door will be $100 for one day and $160 for two days, starting on June 11. Throughout the two-day event, attendees will be able to take advantage of a myriad of new taste forums, demonstrations, and panel discussions with leading industry experts. 

For more information about attending or exhibiting at Bar Convent Brooklyn, visit BarConventBrooklyn.com. To learn about sponsorship, partnership, and exhibition opportunities, contact Jackie Williams at Jacqueline.Williams@rxglobal.com.

GSN Alert: Craft Beverage Expo Selected Pittsburgh for its 2023 Conference

The 2023 Craft Beverage Expo is being held in Pittsburgh for the first time and will feature a weeklong festival of events throughout Allegheny County, March 27-April 2, 2023. For small-batch brands, the Craft Beverage Expo provides attendees with access to an exciting lineup of industry experts. Educational classes teach how to create a strong brand from professionals in the industry. Last year, CBX was held in Louisville and was a tremendous success. The organizer chose Pittsburgh for its 2023 conference due to the area’s fast-growing craft beverage scene. 

“Our region has been fighting for craft beverage since 1794, dating back to the infamous Whiskey Rebellion. In contemporary times, our craft beverage scene has continued to build in scope, reach, and momentum, making Pittsburgh the perfect destination for a major expo like CBX,” said Jerad Bachar, President & CEO of VisitPITTSBURGH.

Local brewers and distillers are encouraged to come and learn from industry experts, network with their peers, and discover new ways to grow their businesses. Sessions cover topics that include: empowering women in the industry, navigating markets, consumer experience insights, financing, inclusivity, modern sales strategies, sustainable packaging, and much, much more.

“Those looking for new ways to streamline production will be able to speak with companies that offer turnkey solutions,” said Kellie Shevlin, Executive Director of Craft Beverage Expo, and Distribution.  ”There are so many companies out there that cater specifically to independent producers and they would love your business.”

“You can learn about new technology that will help you source fresh ingredients, manage labels and shipping, and optimize your finances,” added Shevlin. “Whether you operate as an on-premise, off-premise, or third-party organization, the expo is a great way to discover new turn-key solutions for branding, packaging, creative distribution, retail marketing, and other areas that are specific to production and distribution of craft beverages.”  

CBX 2023 highlights every element of craft beverage making, including beer, wine, spirits, cider, sake, mead, and more. CBX is a country-wide celebration, offering education and experiences exploring the craft beverage ecosystem through the Craft Beverage Expo, Craft Beverage Excellence, and Craft Beverage Experience.

CBX will kick off with the industry/tradeshow component, Craft Beverage Expo, taking place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center March 30-31. The Expo focuses on independent beverages and the issues that producers face, from finding the right technology and equipment for their operations to getting their beverages onto stores’ shelves. The tradeshow features vendors looking to partner with craft beverage makers, and the conference features industry-leading speakers discussing topics that range from financing to packaging to distribution.

CBX Experience is a consumer-tasting event inviting small-batch vendors from across Allegheny County to showcase their products to industry partners and the general public. The 2023 inaugural event will take place on March 31, and a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase.

Ongoing throughout CBX, CBX Excellence will engage and activate Allegheny County businesses from hotels, restaurants, culture, and other attractions throughout the region to participate in CBX by offering specials, discounts, events, and more.  

About VisitPITTSBURGH: VisitPITTSBURGH is the official tourism marketing and promotion agency of the Pittsburgh region. The organization is dedicated to generating business events, sports events, and leisure travel. For more information, visit visitpittsburgh.com

About the Craft Beverage Expo (CBX) and Distribution Conference: CBX is the leading trade exposition and conference for the entire craft beverage industry, with the primary goal of bringing various vertical beverage markets together to exchange ideas and foster a community of collaboration based on common goals. Whether it is beer, wine, spirits, mead, or cider, Craft Beverage Expo and Distribution Conference focuses on small-batch beverages and the issues that producers face, from finding the right technology and equipment for their operations to getting their beverages onto stores’ shelves. For more information, visit craftbeverageexpo.com

#CraftBeverageExpo

GSN Alert: Convite Bartender Residency trips February-April, 2023

Convite, Oaxaca’s best-selling local brand of Mezcal, is launching a bartender exchange program designed to bring American bartenders to Oaxaca to live, work, and learn how to make Mezcal. You will be able to live and work from Casa Convite in downtown Oaxaca as part of their immersive Bartender Residency. In exchange for room, board, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make Mezcal, you will be asked to work short shifts at Convite’s bar and teach one master class for Oaxacan bartenders. This experience is like no other in the industry! So, what does a week at Convite look like? Day 1: Travel into Oaxaca and Meet the Team Day 2: Visit the Market, Try Oaxacan Food, and Guest Bartend (7-11 PM) Day 3: Visit the Palenque, Make Mezcal and Dinner at a Local Favorite Day 4: Museo Gran Cochinilla Tour, Master Class Session, Mezcal Master Class with Jorge Vera with Special Tasting and One More Guest Bartending Shift Day 5: Monte Albán Tour, Sporting Event Day 6: Tour Agave Fields, Make Mezcal with the Experts Day 7: Travel Home How do I apply? Easy! Fill out this form, upload your proof of vaccination, and let us know what you want to share with Oaxaca. Apply by January 10th, 2023, at Midnight PST for Convite Bartender Residency trips taking place February-April, 2023. If you’ve already applied, you’re still being considered, but you can submit an updated application if you’d like!

Cultural Architects: Film Makers and the Queer Bar Community

The Lesbian Bar Project is a documentary film series created and directed by Erica Rose and Elina Street. Hosted and produced by Lea Delaria along with The Katz Company and Jägermeister, the project highlights the “critical need to support the LGBTQIA+ community and spaces.” Originally released as a twenty-minute documentary in 2021, Rose and Street have now released an expanded three episode series on the Roku channel that brings viewers into the lesbian and queer bars of Houston, Phoenix, and New York City. Good Spirits News had the opportunity to speak with Rose and Street about the impact of filming in these safe spaces and how the queer community has affected the bar industry.

GSN: Does a business need to brand themselves as a “Lesbian Bar” or a “Queer Bar” to be considered a safe space? What are the benefits of branding a bar in this way?

Erica: I think that you don’t have to brand yourself a certain way in order to be a safe space. I think that if you are actually a lesbian in a queer space and you brand yourself that way, the community is smart and savvy enough that if it is inauthentic then that will be evident very fast. I think that the benefit is that you are welcoming a wide swath of people who are searching for community and space. […] the fact that there were only, at the time, 16 lesbian bars was completely disproportionate to the community that would [frequent] them. So I think the benefit of having a lesbian-identified or queer-identified space is that there are people waiting for that.

Elina: We have a dear friend that is one of the owners of the Stonewall Inn, and she started this program called the Safe Spaces Program with the Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative [that] offers training for certain spaces that can become “Certified Safe Spaces”. Meaning, understanding what consent means at the door and how do you guide your patrons into a safe environment from the beginning. And one thing we really pride ourselves in our community is that there is a lot of discussion about safety and consent. We’re lucky in that, but that should be in any space you enter.

GSN: Has your perception of a Queer Bar shifted since meeting with Julie Mabry, Audrey Corley, and Lisa Cannistraci? If so, how?

Elina: One thing we really wanted to highlight by documenting these three locations is that they serve very different populations. A Lesbian bar in New York City is not the same as a lesbian bar in Arizona. For us, it was just amazing exposure and an understanding of what these spaces represented. And it was an honor to enter those worlds and discover who was entering those bars. […] A lot of patrons come from families that aren’t accepting of their orientation, and they’re coming to Boycott seeking refuge, and Audrey is giving them that space.

Erica: In the process of making these episodes, it doubled down our intent to showcase how these are more than just bars. And I think we’ve proven that with these three stories, […] that was our vision: Here are the human stories behind the statistics, and here’s how the community gathers, is resilient and creates a space that is safe and affirming to the individuals in the community.

GSN: Going forward, how do you feel that “queer culture” will make an impact on mainstream “bar culture”?

Erica: Queer culture is mainstream culture. I think that what’s happening is that there’s more integration than ever before. One thing is that a lot of queer bars talk openly about consent, political organizing, and servicing those in the community that are less fortunate than others. People ten or twenty years ago questioned “why do you have to be so political?” [to which Lisa Cannistraci replied in episode 3] “I’ve been really fortunate that Henrietta Hudson has been a platform for social change from day one. What’s political is personal to me, and it’s personal to this community. You know, because look what we’ve had to do, to fight for a little bit of decency to be paid to us.”

One thing heteronormative spaces can take from this is to talk about and embrace these conversations that queer bars were forced to [have]. Any progress that has been made in society is susceptible to being taken away from us, and if we’re not active and using our voice we are vulnerable to that.

GSN: What advice would you give to bartenders hoping to make their mark on the ever growing industry?

Elina: In a way, it’s similar to our work as filmmakers where we have to know our audience and understand that everyone has their own story. One thing we hear from these patrons is that they’re coming to these spaces in hopes of celebrating or breathing. You just never know who comes through these doors; it’s a very empowering position to be in that observer point of view. One thing that Lisa Cannistraci says is that she keeps her ear to the ground, she’s alway very in the know with what the younger generation wants, and working to bridge all the generations together. And I think that would be a bartender’s goal, to understand that.

GSN: What are your thoughts on the Negroni Sbagliato with Prosecco craze sparked by Emma D’Arcy? And how has pop-culture affected the bar scene as a whole?

Elina: I love Negronis! I think it’s really funny that there are trendy cocktails. When I moved to New York City ten years ago I wanted to be Carrie Bradshaw so I would order a cosmo everytime I sat down. Then after a few months I thought I would change it up. You go through phases, but I’m European and I love a good bitter drink.

Erica: I don’t drink anymore but I’ve been really into the phony negronis. We are filmmakers who are highlighting people that really know what they’re doing. We call them cultural architects because they’re able to create an environment that is reflective of pop culture and reflective of what’s going on in society. There’s crossover with what we do and what they do, we’re here to tell stories and listen to stories. And I think that’s what a good bartender should do.

St. Agrestis Non-Alcoholic Phony Negroni

GSN: Finally, what is your drink of choice, alcoholic or otherwise?

Erica: Right now I’m really into the phony negroni. Hands down it tastes like a negroni, I highly recommend it.

Elina: It’s not that hard to make cocktails! [*laugh*] That’s the other thing I’ve discovered with this project because we’re learning how to make the cocktails at the bars as we’re filming them. I took a liking to the espresso martini craze, so that’s been fun. We’ve been making it with our cold brew Jagermeister and it’s actually delicious because it is a liqueur and it lends itself well to the cold brew coffee flavor and it brings this herbal sweetness which is just really great.

GSN: Do you have a final message you would like to share?

Elina: I think a big thing is that there are not many representations about lesbian bars in the streaming world right now, and I think that this is really an amazing opportunity to have this show on Roku accessible, and visible and available for free. Our biggest message is to please watch the show, spread the news and show up to the bars. We have to keep those spaces alive, there’s still work to be done, and our storytelling mission is not going to end here.

Erica: There’s unfortunately a dearth of queer stories about queer woman made by queer woman for queer woman. So watch our show so we can keep doing this. You’ll cry, you’ll learn something, maybe both!

The three episode docuseries launched October 11th and is available free on the Roku channel. To learn more about the Lesbian Bar Project, visit: Lesbian Bar Project 

Interview done by Autumn Ellen Rose for Good Spirits News

GSN Alert: Casa Convite Bartender Residency Deadline is Sept 12th!

Casa Convite, Oaxaca’s most popular local brand of Mezcal, is launching a bartender exchange program designed to bring American bartenders to Oaxaca to live, work, and learn how to make Mezcal. 

You will get the opportunity to live and work from Casa Convite in downtown Oaxaca as part of their immersive Bartender Residency. In exchange for room, board, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make Mezcal, you will be asked to work short shifts at Convite’s bar and teach one master class for Oaxacan bartenders. This experience is like no other in the industry!

Day 1: Travel into Oaxaca and Meet the Team

Day 2: Visit the Market, Try Oaxacan Food, and Guest Bartending Shift (7-11 pm)

Day 3: Visit the Palenque, Make Mezcal and Dinner at a Local Favorite

Day 4: Museo Gran Cochinilla Tour, Master Class Session, Mezcal Master Class with Jorge Vera with Special Tasting and One More Guest Bartending Shift

Day 5: Monte Albán Tour, Sporting Event

Day 6: Tour Agave Fields, Make Mezcal with the Experts

Day 7: Travel Home

Complete this form to apply!

GSN Alert: Garrison Brothers Distillery Announces 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America

Garrison Brothers Distillery, the award-winning first-legal whiskey distillery in Texas, is proud to announce the 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America kicks off on September 1, 2022. The nationwide creative celebration of all things bourbon, will run for the entire month of September, National Bourbon Heritage Month, at participating bars and restaurants.  

From September 1^st to September 30^th Garrison Brothers Distillery is partnering with America’s best bartenders and chefs, coast to coast, to make the nationwide phenomenon bigger and better than ever. Welcoming anyone of drinking age to toast and taste bourbon-inspired cocktails and bites, tastemakers will showcase their culinary and mixology love for Garrison Brothers bourbon by incorporating the distillery’s bourbon expressions into a unique, limited-time dish and/or cocktail special at their establishment.  

The 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America will take place across the nation across numerous states including but not limited to: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, New York, Oklahoma, and Texas.  

Enthusiasts and newcomers alike are encouraged to download the Garrison Brothers Bourbon Takeover Passport App to find the participating locations nearest them and “check-in”. By checking in and sharing one of the listed locations’ cocktail and/or dish features, participants will be entered to win a prize at the conclusion of the takeover – a custom Garrison Brothers branded barrel head serving tray, mixing glass, stirring spoon and jigger, for the ideal at-home Old Fashioned set up. The more one checks-in, the more chances they have to win. Ten participants with the most check-ins across the country will be selected to win the coveted prize package.  

Notable participants in this year’s Bourbon Takeover of American include: Phoenix Bourbon Room in Phoenix, AZ; The Beehive in San Francisco, CA; The Blind Pig Kitchen & Bar in Rancho Santa Margarita and Yorba Linda, CA; Porta Via in Los Angeles and Palm Desert, CA; Whiskey Star Smokehouse in Breckenridge, CO; Brick House Tavern & Tap in Tampa, FL; Crazy Uncle Mike’s in West Palm Beach, FL; Rosebud Steakhouse in Chicago, IL; Dive Bar in New York, NY; Blue Corn Harvest in Austin, TX; CBD Provisions in Dallas, TX; Pinkerton’s BBQ in Houston, TX; The Hoppy Monk in San Antonio, TX. The full list of participating locations can be found on the Bourbon Takeover of America official website.  

“Bourbon Takeover of America is one of my favorite times of the year! Nothing brings me more joy than seeing folks from all over the country enjoying our fine nectar of the gods while supporting their local establishments and bartenders. It is such fun for us to see how each establishment across the country puts their own spin on our Garrison Brothers Texas straight bourbon whiskey,” shares Robert Cordes, Chief Marketing Dude, Garrison Brothers.  

In 2021, Bourbon Takeover of America garnered over 5 million impressions across digital and social media platforms resulting in tens of thousands of total clicks. Over 75 bars and restaurants participated and there were over 400 check-ins on the app.  

The 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America media partners include: 7×7; Creative Loafing Tampa Bay; CS Magazine; Culture Map Texas; Gotham Magazine; LA Weekly; Orange Coast Magazine; Palm Beach Illustrated; Palm Springs Life; Phoenix Magazine. 

The Garrison Brothers Bourbon Takeover Passport App is available for download in the Apple App and Google Play stores. All 21 years of age and older are welcome to participate. 

To find out more about 2022 Bourbon Takeover of America, go to www.bourbontakeover.com.  

For more information about Garrison Brothers’ award-wining ultra-premium bourbon whiskey go to www.garrisonbros.com 

GSN Alert: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana Raffling a Coveted Flight of 5 Pappy Van Winkle Bourbons

Back by popular demand, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) is raffling five Pappy bottles packaged as a flight. The raffle, which typically sells out quickly, kicks-off Aug. 1.

Each ticket will be sold for $100 each and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit families who stay at the House when they travel to Louisville for medical care for their children. All programs and services are free of charge to families.

“These five coveted bottles offered as a group directly support sick children and their families,” said Marc Abrams, a well-known bourbon expert based in Louisville. Abrams personally authenticated each bottle and recently appraised this raffle at $17,000. “This raffle has gained a cult following around the nation and I’m thrilled to help,” he said.

The rmhck.org flight includes one bottle each of Pappy Van Winkle 23 Year (2020); Pappy Van Winkle 20 Year (2021); Pappy Van Winkle 15 Year (2021); Van Winkle Special Reserve 12 Year, lot b (2019); Old Rip Van Winkle 10 Year (2020).

“We’ve chosen to sell 1,984 tickets to commemorate the year 1984, when Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana first opened its doors to families,” said Hal Hedley, the organization’s CEO.

Through the years, this raffle has made an enormous impact on the organization. RMHCK’s Pappy raffle efforts have directly raised $825,000 for the organization since 2019, providing 7,638 nights of comfort for families who travel to Louisville for medical treatment for their children.

“When we sell 1,750 tickets, we will hit $1 million raised through our Pappy Raffle,” said Hedley.

The flight will be raffled at 11am, EDT, Sept. 29. Winner does not have to be present. To purchase tickets: https://bit.ly/3AYMdCU

More details can be found at PappyRaffle.org.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana

Founded in 1984, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) is a Louisville, KY nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation that provides the home and support that allows families to stay together while they focus on the healing of their sick children at a critical time. In partnership with area medical facilities, RMHCK also operates Ronald McDonald Family Room Programs at Norton Children’s Hospital, Frazier Rehab Institute and Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital where local families can seek respite. All programs and services are free of charge to families.

In 2021, RMHCK served 992 families for a total of 11,860 nights lodging. For more information, visit rmhck.org or connect with us at @RMHCKentuckiana on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces 2022 Spirited Awards® Winners

Lauren Mote

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the winners of the 2022 Spirited Awards^®. Since its inception in 2007, the Spirited Awards have become one of the most globally recognized accolades, recognizing beverage professionals, brands, media, journalists, and establishments across all areas of the cocktail industry. In partnership with Forbes, the Spirited Awards^® official media partner, TOTCF honored the Spirited Awards recipients during an in-person celebration at the conference’s 2022 host venue, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans.

Recognized through the lens of this year’s conference theme, “Progress” — chosen for its appreciation of the nimble and adaptive development of the drinks community, the winners of the 2022 Spirited Awards have made strides in progressing the beverage industry forward. Honoring writers and brand ambassadors alongside bartenders and bars, the Spirited Awards showcase talent on a global stage. The evening’s award recipients were carefully considered by a panel of over 200 industry experts, led by Charlotte Voisey, the Spirited Awards Overall Chair. 

“The Spirited Awards celebrates excellence in our industry and this year’s winners embody that standard so well,” says Charlotte Voisey, Spirited Awards Overall Chair. “After a difficult few years, it is truly inspiring to gather together once more and see what these recognitions really mean to everyone nominated.”

In celebrating the growth and achievements of the drinks industry, the Foundation is pleased to announce this year’s winners, broken into International, U.S., Media & Writing, and Global categories, along with announcing the winner of the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award and World’s Best Bar. 

2022 Spirited Awards^® Winners:

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón Tequila

• Remy Savage — 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic 

• Lauren Mote

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic

• Martin Hudak — Mr Black Spirits

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo

• Sexy Fish — London, UK

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

• 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK

U.S. CATEGORIES

U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Del Maguey

• Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA

Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

• Sean Kenyon

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey

• Lynn House — Heaven Hill

Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

• Katana Kitten — New York, NY

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

• Katana Kitten — New York, NY

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

• Silver Lyan at the Riggs — Washington, DC

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Aviation Gin

• Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• VinePair 

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• The Cocktail Lovers 

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• “Get Real: The bar world looks beyond feel-good measures on sustainability and climate change” by Max Falkowitz for Imbibe Magazine

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic 

• The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange 

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• Little Red Door — Paris, France

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

• Jack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, DC

Pioneer Award Presented by The Blend

• Amanda Gunderson – CEO & Co-Founder, Another Round Another Rally

Timeless International Award presented by Jägermeister

• Harry’s New York Bar — Paris, France

Timeless U.S. Award presented by Johnnie Walker

• Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel — New York, NY

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons

• Julie Reiner — Co-Founder Clover Club, Leyenda, Social Hour Cocktails, & Mixtress Consulting

World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK

Spirited Awards Directory

Tales of the Cocktail is excited to share the Spirited Awards® Directory in partnership with marquee sponsor Diageo Bar Academy with support from Angostura, Bacardi Limited, CAMPARI, Elijah Craig, Hendricks Gin, Tequila Fortaleza, and The Blend. Giving discerning imbibers a comprehensive compendium of all 900+ Spirited Awards winners and nominees from the past 16 years, the Directory is an interactive, global map created to easily guide guests to officially recognized Spirited Awards establishments.

This resource will be updated year over year, making it an easy-to-use tool to plan which bars to visit at home or when traveling. Use the Spirited Awards® Directory today to explore award-winning bars, including 183 bars added this year.

The Spirited Awards Chairs and Co-Chairs

Below is a list of Spirited Awards^® Chairs, responsible for overseeing the judging process this year:

• Spirited Awards Overall Chair
  • Charlotte Voisey
• Spirited Awards International Chair
  • Jacob Briars
• Asia Pacific Co-Chairs
  • Lorenzo Antinori
  • Pankaj Balachandran
  • Hayley Morison
  • Charmaine Thio
• Canada Co-Chairs
  • Evelyn Chick
  • Sabrine Dhaliwal
• Europe Co-Chairs
  • Guiseppe Gallo
  • Nicola Riske
• Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs
  • Camille Austin
  • Jean Trinh
  • Tato Giovannini
• Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs
  • Cassandra Eichhoff
  • Richard Irwin
• U.S. Central Co-Chairs
  • Bridget Albert
  • Steva Casey
• U.S. East Co-Chairs
  • Laura Cullen
  • Andy Seymour
• U.S. West Co-Chairs
  • Kiowa Bryan
  • Mary Palac
• Writing & Media Co-Chairs
  • François Monti
  • Paul Clarke
  • Matthew Rowley
  • Sandrae Lawrence
• Timeless Co-Chair
  • Christine Sismondo
  • Colin Asare-Appiah

GSN Alert: Seagram’s 7 Gives Back to America’s Dive Bars

Seagram’s 7 Whiskey is partnering with actor and comedian, Iliza Shlesinger, to celebrate Dive Bar Regulars across the Country by picking up their bar tab and giving back to Main Street Alliance with the NEW “Regulars’ Rules” sweepstakes.

As part of the platform, adults (21+) across the US can visit https://www.seagrams7.com/regularsrules to submit their dive bar do’s and don’t’s for a chance to win $700, for the next 700 hours. About every 100 hours, Seagram’s 7 will select a new winner along with a new prompt for the next round–for 7 chances to win.

To help support these small businesses, which include dive bars that have been impacted over the past few years, Seagram’s 7 will donate $7 for every entry (up to $10,000) to Main Street Alliance, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting small businesses including dive bars.

Starting today, the Seagram’s 7 “Regulars’ Rules” National Dive Bar Day Sweepstakes is available for entry on https://www.seagrams7.com/regularsrules until August 5, 2022 (full terms and regulations are available for reference on the Seagram’s website). Until then, fans 21+ can celebrate National Dive Bar Day by entering the sweepstakes before they head on over to their favorite local dive bar.

Seagram’s 7&7 Cocktail Recipe: 

• 1.5 oz Seagram’s 7 Crown Blended Whiskey
• 5 oz. 7UP
• Slice of lime

How to Make:

• Add Seagram’s 7 Crown Blended Whiskey and 7UP soda to a highball glass with ice
• Stir Well
• Garnish with a Lime Slice