Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces Top 10 Nominees for the 2022 Spirited Awards

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Top 10 Nominees for the 16th annual Spirited Awards^®, as the foundation continues to recognize the depth of talent across our global spirits community. 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 returning for an in-person celebration in New Orleans from July 25-29, 2022.

The award categories spotlight a range of talent from bartenders, journalists, and brand ambassadors, to brands and media, to ensure each aspect of the industry is well represented and recognized for its contributions. 

“It’s been a challenging couple of years for bars and restaurants, but these nominees are a reflection of the strong spirit of our industry in spite of challenges – bold new openings, bars and bartenders who continue to strive for excellence, and a whole lot of hard-working staff who deserve amazing recognition and our support,” said Jacob Briars, Spirited Awards International Chair. “As our world opens up again, these nominees should be at the top of your list when deciding where to go next and what to drink there.”

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

2022 Spirited Awards^® Top 10 Nominees (in alphabetical order):

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón

• Moe Aljaff — Two Schmucks, Barcelona, Spain
• Lorenzo Antinori — ARGO / Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Hong Kong, China
• Giorgio Bargiani — The Connaught Bar, London, UK
• Kate Boushel — Atwater Cocktail Club / Milky Way Cocktail Bar, Montréal, Québec, Canada
• James Grant — Little HK, Edmonton, Canada
• Keith Motsi — Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul, South Korea
• Rémy Savage — 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK
• Daniel Schofield — SCHOFIELD’S BAR, Manchester, UK
• Ezra Star — Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong, China
• Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia
• Matt Whiley — RE, Sydney, Australia

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

• Monica Berg
• Arijit Bose
• Simone Caporale
• Renato “Tato” Giovannoni
• Tim Etherington Judge
• Trevor Kallies
• Dre Masso
• Lauren Mote
• Danil Nevsky
• Agostino Perrone
• Christina Veira
• Camille Vidal

*Includes 12 nominees due to a tie

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

• Jenna Ba — Diageo
• Claudia Cabrera — Fratelli Branca
• Irene Díaz — Ron Diplomático
• Martin Hudák — Mr Black Spirits
• Daniyel Jones — House of Angostura
• Ally Martin — Hendrick’s Gin
• Dave Mitton — Lot No. 40 / J.P. Wiser’s 
• Ricardo Nava — Bacardí Latin America
• Tim Phillips-Johansson — Johnnie Walker
• Nicola Riske — The Macallan

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montréal, Québec, Canada
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Salmon Guru — Madrid, Spain
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece
• Tres Monos — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

• ALQUIMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montréal, Québec, Canada
• Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar — Cape Town, South Africa
• COA — Hong Kong, China
• Florería Atlántico — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Salmon Guru — Madrid, Spain
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• Three Sheets — London, UK
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

*Includes 12 nominees due to a tie

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

• Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, BC, Canada
• Bulgari Bar at The Bvlgari Resort — Dubai, UAE
• Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, Mexico
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• MO BAR at the Mandarin Oriental — Singapore
• Origin Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
• The American Bar at The Stafford London — London, UK
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK

*Includes 11 nominees due to a tie

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Bar Kismet — Halifax, NS, Canada
• Caffe Fernet — Singapore
• Danico — Paris, France
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Locale Firenze — Florence, Italy
• LPM Restaurant & Bar — Dubai, UAE
• Pujol — Mexico City, Mexico
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• The Continental Deli — Newtown, Australia
• Tjoget — Stockholm, Sweden
• Zuma Dubai — Dubai, UAE

*Includes 11 nominees due to a tie

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

• 🔶🟥🔵 A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK
• Amaro Bar — London, UK
• ARGO — Hong Kong, China
• Dead End Paradise — Beirut, Lebanon
• DEAN & NANCY — Sydney, Australia
• RE — Sydney, Australia
• Schofield’s Bar — Manchester, UK
• Side Hustle at the NoMad — London, UK
• SIPS — Barcelona, Spain
• Wax On — Berlin, Germany

U.S. CATEGORIES

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

• Josh Davis — 16th Street Bar, Chicago, IL
• Chris Elford — Trade Winds Tavern, Navy Strength, Rob Roy, Here Today Brewing, Seattle, WA
• Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA
• Caer Maiko Ferguson — DrinkWell, Austin, TX
• Chris McMillian — Revel Bar & Cafe, New Orleans, LA
• Shauna O’Neil — Sweet Liberty, Miami, FL
• Kapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, DC
• Christian Suzuki-Orellana — Wildhawk, San Francisco, CA
• Masahiro “Masa” Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NY
• Christine Wiseman — BarLab Hospitality Group, Miami, FL

Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

• Colin Asare-Appiah
• Julio Cabrera
• Kevin Diedrich
• Meaghan Dorman
• Alba Huerta
• Alex Jump
• Sean Kenyon
• ms franky marshall
• Nectaly Mendoza
• Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey Glass

• Kiowa Bryan — Spiribam
• Chris Cabrera — Bacardí USA
• Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
• Cameron George — Ardbeg
• Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
• Lynn House — Heaven Hill
• Jenna Murray — The Glenlivet
• Natasha Sofia Velez — Davos Brands
• Ryan Wainwright — Bombay Sapphire
• Daniel Warrilow — Campari America

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

• Attaboy — New York, NY
• Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
• Half Step — Austin, TX
• Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• The Long Island Bar — Brooklyn, NY
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• The Snug — Sacramento, CA
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

• Bar Goto — New York, NY
• Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 — New Orleans, LA
• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour — Phoenix, AZ
• DrinkWell — Austin, TX
• Julep — Houston, TX
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• Occidental — Denver, CO
• Pearl Diver — Nashville, TN
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

• Bar Marilou at 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
• King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York — New York, NY
• 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
• Mountaineering Club at the Graduate Seattle Hotel — Seattle, WA
• Silver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC — Washington, DC

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
• Crown Shy — New York, NY
• Gramercy Tavern — New York, NY
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Kimball House — Decatur, GA
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
• L’Oursin — Seattle, WA
• Republique — Los Angeles, CA
• Spoon and Stable — Minneapolis, MN

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

• Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
• Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
• Kona’s Street Market — San Francisco, CA
• Law Bird — Columbus, OH
• Overstory — New York, NY
• Palmetto — Oakland, CA
• Temple Bar — New York, NY
• Tiki Tatsu-Ya — Austin, TX
• Trade Winds Tavern — Seattle, WA
• Yacht Club — Denver, CO

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• CLASS magazine
• Difford’s Guide
• Discard the Zine
• DRiNK Magazine Asia
• Drinks International
• Liquor.com
• The Cocktail Lovers magazine
• The Spirits Business
• VinePair
• Whisky Magazine

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

• A Life In Whisky: The Dennis Malcolm Story (A documentary by Whisky Magazine)
• Behind the Bar with Cara Devine
• El Club de los Cantineros (Documentary)
• Freepour™
• Happy Hour History
• “Hospitality Forward” Podcast by Hanna Lee Communications
• Radio Imbibe
• Shōshin Art Club 
• The Cocktail Lovers Podcast
• The Speakeasy Podcast

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
• “Getting high from a new supply: a revolutionary flavour extraction method for cocktails is being pioneered in South Africa” by Leah van Deventer, for TheWorlds50Best.com
• “Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Destroyed American Bar Culture?” by Jeffrey Morgenthaler, for Daily Beast
• “Making it Through: How a Bar’s Regulars Helped During a Pandemic,” by Rebecca Cate as told to Paul Clarke, Imbibe
• “Marc Farrell Wants to Change the Way You Think About Rum” by Yolanda Evans, for Food & Wine
• “Meet the Eco-Packaging Innovations Transforming the Drinks Industry” by Betsy Andrews, for SevenFifty Daily
• “Mexican Terroir” by Liza Weisstuch, for Whisky Magazine
• “The Greatest Drinking Contest in History” by David Wondrich, for Daily Beast
• “The Hard Reset – Creating a New Hospitality Culture” by Anna Sebastian, for CLASS
• “Turns Out Rye Whiskey Isn’t an American Creation After All” by Lew Bryson, for Daily Beast

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

• Claridge’s The Cocktail Book by Denis Broci and Nathan McCarley-O’Neill
• COCKTAIL DIVE BAR: Real Drinks, Fake History, and Questionable Advice from New Orleans’s Twelve Mile Limit by T. Cole Newton 
• Death & Co: Welcome Home by Alex Day, Nick Fauchald, and David Kaplan
• Difford’s Guide to Cocktails Sixteenth Edition by Simon Difford
• Mezcal and Tequila Cocktails by Robert Simonson
• The Cocktail Seminars by Brian D. Hoefling
• The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig
• The Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes by Julia Momosé with Emma Janzen
• Tokyo Cocktails by Nicholas Coldicott
• Zero Proof: 90 Non-Alcoholic Recipes for Mindful Drinking by Elva Ramirez

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

• A Good Drink: In Pursuit of Sustainable Spirits by Shanna Farrell
• Bourbon: The Story of Kentucky Whiskey by Clay Risen
• Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization by Edward Slingerland
• Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’Meara
• L’Ora dell’Americano by Mauro Mahjoub & Lucio Tucci
• Something & Tonic by Nick Kokonas
• The Big Book of Amaro by Matteo Zed
• The New Kindred Spirits by F. Paul Pacult
• The Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum
• The Spirit of Rye by Carlo DeVito

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

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

• Abasolo Ancestral Corn Whisky
• ANGOSTURA® cocoa bitters
• Citadelle Gin Jardin d’été
• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Vida de Muertos
• Equiano Light Rum
• Fever-Tree Sparkling Lime & Yuzu 
• Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit 
• Hendrick’s Lunar Gin
• Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange 
• Nixta Licor de Elote
• Lost Irish
• Ojo de Tigre Mezcal Artesanal
• SAVOIA Americano

*Includes 13 nominees due to a tie

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
• Dante NYC — New York, NY
• Himkok — Oslo, Norway
• Little Red Door — Paris, France
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Mace Bar — New York, NY
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London — London, UK
• Swift Soho — London, UK
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

• ATLA — New York, NY
• Brandy Library — New York, NY
• In-Situ Mezcaleria — Oaxaca City, Mexico
• Jack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, DC
• Origin Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
• Rumba — Seattle, WA
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• Swift Soho — London, UK
• The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash — Chicago, IL
• The Doctor’s Office — Seattle, WA

GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announces the Regional Top 10 Honorees for the 2022 Spirited Awards

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce the regional top 10 honorees for the 16th annual Spirited Awards^® in an effort to recognize the depth of talent across our global spirits community. 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 returning for an in-person celebration in New Orleans from July 25-29, 2022. 

“Returning to an in-person celebration for our 20-year anniversary means it’s more important than ever to support one another and celebrate our phenomenal industry,” said Tales of the Cocktail Foundation CEO Eileen Wayner. “We are honored to take this opportunity to thank all of our colleagues in the cocktail community for their contributions to the industry, and offer our congratulations to all of this year’s regional honorees.” 

This year, an exceptional number of Spirited Awards^® submissions were received across all categories, a testament to the hospitality industry’s continued participation in recognizing the hard work and achievements of our colleagues in the industry – even despite unprecedented hardships. In that spirit, the Foundation is proud to announce the Regional Top 10 honorees, broken into regions in the Asia Pacific (APAC), Canada, Europe, Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C), Middle East & Africa (MEA), U.S. Central, U.S. East, and U.S. West. 

2022 Spirited Awards^® Regional Top 10 Honorees (in alphabetical order):

INTERNATIONAL ESTABLISHMENTS

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

Best International Bar Team – Asia Pacific (APAC)

• AHA Saloon — Taipei, Taiwan
• Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Havana Social — Bangkok, Thailand
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• MO BAR at the Mandarin Oriental — Singapore
• No Sleep Club — Singapore
• Tropic City Cocktail Bar— Bangkok, Thailand
• Union Trading Company — Shanghai, China
• Vesper Cocktail Bar — Bangkok, Thailand

Best International Bar Team – Canada

• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montreal, Canada
• Bar Kismet — Halifax, Canada
• Bar Raval — Toronto, Canada
• Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, Canada
• Mahjong Bar — Toronto, Canada
• Milky Way Cocktail Bar — Montreal, Canada
• Pourhouse — Vancouver, Canada
• The Cloakroom Bar — Montréal, Canada
• The Coldroom — Montreal, Canada
• The Keefer Bar — Vancouver, Canada

Best International Bar Team – Europe

• Le Calbar — Paris, France
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Parovoz SpeakEasy — Kyiv, Ukraine
• Salmon Guru — Madrid, Spain
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• The Cambridge Public House — Paris, France
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

Best International Bar Team – Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

• ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Bar Las Brujas — Mexico City, México
• El Gallo Altanero — Guadalajara, México
• Gitano Jungle — Tulum, México
• Hanky Panky — Mexico City, México
• Kaito del Valle — Mexico City, México
• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Mar y Zielo — Cartagena, Colombia
• Mulberry Project at La Zebra hotel — Tulum, México
• Tres Monos — Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best International Bar Team – Middle East & Africa (MEA)* 

• Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar — Cape Town, South Africa
• Front Back Accra — Accra, Ghana
• Galaxy Bar — Dubai, UAE
• Josephine Baker — Tel Aviv, Israel
• La Otra — Tel Aviv, Israel
• Lucky Shaker — Umhlanga, South Africa
• Sin + Tax — Johannesburg, South Africa
• Spicehaus — Tel Aviv, Israel
• The House of Machines — Cape Town, South Africa
• The MAINE Oyster Bar & Grill — JBR Dubai, UAE
• Tipamara — Tel Aviv, Israel

*Includes 11 honorees due to a tie

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

Best International Cocktail Bar – Asia Pacific (APAC)*

• Bar TRENCH — Tokyo, Japan
• BYRDI — Melbourne, Australia
• Clipper — Auckland, New Zealand
• COA — Hong Kong, China
• JungleBird — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Nutmeg & Clove — Singapore
• Old Mate’s Place — Sydney, Australia
• Sidecar — New Delhi, India
• Southside Parlor — Seoul, South Korea
• The Diplomat — Hong Kong, China
• The Pontiac — Hong Kong, China
• The SG Club — Tokyo, Japan

*Includes 13 honorees due to a tie

Best International Cocktail Bar – Canada

• Atwater Cocktail Club — Montreal, Canada
• Bar Mordecai — Toronto, Canada
• Civil Liberties — Toronto, Canada
• Cry Baby Gallery — Toronto, Canada
• Grapes & Soda — Vancouver, Canada
• Milk Tiger — Calgary, Canada
• Paper Lantern — Calgary, Canada
• Proof — Calgary, Canada
• The Cloakroom Bar — Montréal, Canada
• The Keefer Bar — Vancouver, Canada

Best International Cocktail Bar – Europe*

• A bar called Gemma — Stockholm, Sweden
• Cask — Cork City, Ireland
• Freni e Frizioni — Rome, Italy
• Laki Kane — London, UK
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Parovoz SpeakEasy — Kyiv, Ukraine
• Red Frog — Lisbon, Portugal
• Salmon Guru — Madrid, Spain
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• Three Sheets — London, UK
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

*Includes 12 honorees due to a tie

Best International Cocktail Bar – Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

• ALQUIMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
• Café Ocampo — Mexico City, México
• Carnaval Bar — Lima, Peru
• El Barón Cafe & Liquor Bar — Cartagena, Colombia
• Florería Atlántico — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Hanky Panky — Mexico City, México
• Kaito del Valle — Mexico City, México
• Selva Oaxaca — Oaxaca City, México
• Selvática — San José, Costa Rica
• Tres Monos — Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best International Cocktail Bar – Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• Bolero — Batroun, Lebanon
• Cause Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar — Cape Town, South Africa
• Double Standard — Tel Aviv, Israel
• Front Back Accra — Accra, Ghana
• Galaxy Bar — Dubai, UAE
• Revolver Cocktail Bar — Nairobi, Kenya
• Shinko — Cairo, Egypt
• Sin + Tax — Johannesburg, South Africa
• The Art of Duplicity — Cape Town, South Africa
• The Republic Bar & Grill — Accra, Ghana

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Best International Hotel Bar – Asia Pacific (APAC)

• Bar Trigona at the Four Seasons Hotel — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Flaggerdoot Cocktail Lounge at the Jackalope — Melbourne, Australia
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• MO BAR at the Mandarin Oriental — Singapore
• Origin Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
• Punch Room at The Shanghai EDITION — Shanghai, China
• The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental — Bangkok, Thailand
• The St Regis Bar HK — Hong Kong, China
• Writers Bar at the Raffles Hotel — Singapore

Best International Hotel Bar – Canada*

• 1608 Bar at the Fairmont Château Frontenac — Quebec City, Canada
• Bar Artéfact at Auberge Saint-Antoine Hotel — Québec, Canada
• Botanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, Canada
• Clive’s Classic Lounge — Victoria, Canada
• Clockwork Champagne & Cocktails at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel — Toronto, Canada
• Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel — Toronto, Canada
• Lobby Lounge at the Fairmont Pacific Rim — Vancouver, Canada
• Nacarat at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth — Montreal, Canada
• The Lounge at the Drake Hotel — Toronto, Canada
• The Raven Room at the Pan Pacific Whistler Village Centre — Whistler, Canada
• Wilks’ Bar at Langdon Hall — Cambridge, Canada

*Includes 11 honorees due to a tie

Best International Hotel Bar – Europe

• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Mandarin Bar & Bistrot at the Mandarin Oriental — Milan, Italy
• Pulitzer’s Bar at the Pulitzer Amsterdam — Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Punch Room at The Barcelona EDITION — Barcelona, Spain
• St Regis Bar at the St Regis hotel — Venice, Italy
• The American Bar at The Stafford London — London, UK
• The Coral Room at the Bloomsbury Hotel — London, UK
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK
• The Mezzanine at The Stratford hotel — London, UK
• Widder Bar at the Widder Hotel — Zürich, Switzerland

Best International Hotel Bar – Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

• ACRE Baja — San José del Cabo, México
• Apache at The Click Clack Hotel — Bogotá, Colombia
• Bekeb at the Hotel Casa Hoyos — San Miguel de Allende, México
• Celajes Lounge Bar — Monteverde, Costa Rica
• Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, México
• Hotel B Relais & Chateaux — Lima, Peru
• Mezcaleria Gota Gorda at the Soiree Boutique Hotel — Oaxaca, México
• Nobu Los Cabos at Nobu Hotel — Los Cabos, México
• Tigre at Hotel Casa Awolly — Mexico City, México
• Townhouse Rooftop at Townhouse Boutique Hotel and Rooftop — Cartagena, Colombia

Best International Hotel Bar – Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• Bulgari Bar at The Bvlgari Resort — Dubai, UAE
• Bushwick at the Atlas Hotel — Tel Aviv, Israel
• Gigi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar at the Gorgeous George Hotel — Cape Town, South Africa
• Imperial Craft Cocktail Bar in the Imperial Hotel — Tel Aviv, Israel
• Planet Bar at the Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel — Cape Town, South Africa
• Sky 28 at the Kenzi Tower Hotel — Casablanca, Morocco
• Tambourin Rooftop Lounge and Bar at the Villa Rosa Kempinski Hotel — Nairobi, Kenya
• The Willaston Bar at The Silo Hotel — Cape Town, South Africa

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Best International Restaurant Bar – Asia Pacific (APAC)*

• Bar Torino — Adelaide, Australia
• Caffe Fernet — Singapore
• Cork & Screw Country Club — Jakarta, Indonesia
• Happy Stan — Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• KOR Shanghai — Shanghai, China
• KOR Taipei — Taipei, Taiwan
• Shady Acres — Hong Kong, China
• Skye Manila — Taguig, Philippines
• The Continental Deli — Newtown, Australia
• The Dragon Chamber — Singapore
• The Reservoire — Bangalore, India
• Union Bar & Brasserie — Jakarta, Indonesia

*Includes 12 honorees due to a tie

Best International Restaurant Bar – Canada

• Aloette — Toronto, Canada
• Bar Kismet — Halifax, Canada
• Bar Koukla — Toronto, Canada
• Highwayman Restaurant & Bar — Halifax, Canada
• Kissa Tanto — Vancouver, Canada
• Le Majestique — Montreal, Canada
• Pourhouse — Vancouver, Canada
• Published on Main — Vancouver, Canada
• Restaurant Yarrow — Edmonton, Canada
• The Ostrich Club — Halifax, Canada

Best International Restaurant Bar – Europe

• Angelita Madrid — Madrid, Spain
• Bonhomie — Paris, France
• Carico Milano — Milan, Italy
• Ceresio 7 — Milan, Italy
• Danico — Paris, France
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Locale Firenze — Florence, Italy
• Odori Vermuteria Di Atene — Athens, Greece
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• Tjoget — Stockholm, Sweden

Best International Restaurant Bar – Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

• Arca Tulum — Tulum, Mexico
• CASA CAVIA — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Casa Oaxaca El Restaurante — Oaxaca, México
• Celele — Cartagena, Colombia
• El Destilado — Oaxaca City, México
• La Mariposario — Lima, Peru
• LEO — Bogota, Colombia
• Mar y Zielo — Cartagena, Colombia
• Mesa Franca — Bogotá, Colombia
• Pujol — Mexico City, México

Best International Restaurant Bar – Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• Amazonico Dubai — Dubai, UAE
• Elgr — South Africa, Cape Town
• Ferdinand — Beirut, Lebanon
• LPM Restaurant & Bar — Dubai, UAE
• Marble — Johannesburg, South Africa
• MASTI – Cocktails & Cuisine — Dubai, UAE
• Mawimbi Seafood & Cafe — Nairobi, Kenya
• Sachi Heliopolis — Cairo, Egypt
• The Athletic Club & Social — Cape Town, South Africa
• Zuma Dubai — Dubai, UAE

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

Best New International Cocktail Bar – Asia Pacific (APAC)

• Apollonia — Sydney, Australia
• ARGO — Hong Kong, China
• DEAN & NANCY — Sydney, Australia
• Pearl Diver Cocktails and Oysters — Melbourne, Australia
• Quality Goods Club — Hong Kong, China
• RE — Sydney, Australia
• Republic at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia — Singapore
• Sago House — Singapore
• Teresa Cocktail Bar — Napier, New Zealand
• The Bellwood — Tokyo, Japan

Best New International Cocktail Bar – Canada*

• Bar Pompette — Toronto, Canada
• Chez Ernest — Montreal, Canada
• Corsair — Toronto, Canada
• Dear Friend — Dartmouth, Canada
• Laowai — Vancouver, Canada
• Major Tom — Calgary, Canada
• The Chickadee Room — Vancouver, Canada

Best New International Cocktail Bar – Europe

• a bar with shapes for a name — London, UK
• Amaro Bar — London, UK
• Isa Gastrobar at the Four Seasons Hotel — Madrid, Spain
• Publiq. — London, UK
• Quattro Teste — Lisbon, Portugal
• Schofield’s Bar — Manchester, UK
• Side Hustle at the NoMad — London, UK
• SIPS — Barcelona, Spain
• The Pineapple Club — Birmingham, UK
• Wax On — Berlin, Germany

Best New International Cocktail Bar – Latin America & Caribbean (LATAM&C)

• Bête Noire FM — Ensenada, México
• Bootlegger Speakeasy Bar — Puebla, México
• COCHINCHINA — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• HiddenBar — Lima, Peru
• Lady Bee — Lima, Peru
• LaUat bar — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Matilde Mi Amor — Guadalajara, México
• Next Door — Georgetown, Cayman Islands
• Osten — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• Zapote Bar at the Rosewood Mayakoba — Playa del Carmen, México

Best New International Cocktail Bar – Middle East & Africa (MEA)

• Dead End Paradise — Beirut, Lebanon
• Fable — Cape Town, South Africa
• Mimi Kakushi — Dubai, UAE
• Roka Dubai — Dubai, UAE
• Sinnerman — Nairobi, Kenya
• The Drinkery — Cape Town, South Africa
• Tortuga Rum Bar — Nairobi, Kenya
• Zioux — Johannesburg, South Africa

U.S. ESTABLISHMENTS

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

Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. Central

• Half Step — Austin, TX
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Johnny’s Gold Brick — Houston, TX
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
• Manolito — New Orleans, LA
• Porco Lounge & Tiki Room — Cleveland, OH
• The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash — Chicago, IL
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• The Sugar House — Detroit, MI
• Three Dots and a Dash — Chicago, IL

Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. East*

• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
• Attaboy — New York, NY
• Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• Mace Bar — New York, NY
• Proof — Charleston, SC
• The Long Island Bar — Brooklyn, NY
• Service Bar DC — Washington, DC
• Silver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC — Washington, DC
• Sugar Monk — New York, NY
• Ticonderoga Club — Atlanta, GA

*Includes 11 honorees due to a tie

Best U.S. Bar Team – U.S. West

• Big Bar — Los Angeles, CA
• Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
• Death & Co. at the Ramble Hotel — Denver, CO
• Lady Jane — Denver, CO
• Paper Plane — San Jose, CA
• Rob Roy — Seattle, WA
• Rumba — Seattle, WA
• The Snug — Sacramento, CA
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
• True Laurel — San Francisco, CA

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central 

• Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 — New Orleans, LA
• DrinkWell — Austin, TX
• Julep — Houston, TX
• Longfellow’s Other Room — Cincinnati, OH
• Queen’s Park — Birmingham, AL
• The Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash — Chicago, IL
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• The Violet Hour — Chicago, IL
• The Whistler — Chicago, IL
• Vault — Fayetteville, AR

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East

• Bar Goto — New York, NY
• Bar Goto Niban — Brooklyn, NY
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• Mace Bar — New York, NY
• Pearl Diver — Nashville, TN
• Portland Hunt + Alpine Club — Portland, ME
• Proof — Charleston, SC
• Raines Law Room Chelsea — New York, NY
• Service Bar — Washington, DC
• The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club — Nashville, TN

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. West

• Bar Leather Apron — Honolulu, HI
• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour — Phoenix, AZ
• Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
• Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen — Las Vegas, NV
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
• Navy Strength — Seattle, WA
• Occidental — Denver, CO
• Teardrop Lounge — Portland, OR
• The Snug — Sacramento, CA
• Wildhawk — San Francisco, CA

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. Central 

• Bar Marilou at the Maison de la Luz — New Orleans, LA
• Bourbon “O” Jazz Bar at Bourbon Orleans Hotel — New Orleans, LA
• Evening Bar at the Shinola hotel — Detroit, MI
• Hot Tin at the Pontchartrain Hotel — New Orleans, LA
• Lazy Bird at The Hoxton — Chicago, IL
• Midnight Rambler at the Joule — Dallas, TX
• The Driskill Bar at The Driskill Hotel — Austin, TX
• The Elysian Bar at the Hotel Peter and Paul — New Orleans, LA
• The Library at the Detroit Club — Detroit, MI
• Vaso Dublin at AC Hotel Columbus Dublin — Dublin, OH

Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. East

• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
• Champagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami — Miami, FL
• Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NY
• El Quijote at Hotel Chelsea — New York, NY
• JIMMY at ModernHaus SoHo — New York, NY
• King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York — New York, NY
• L.A. Jackson at the Thompson Nashville — Nashville, TN
• Orilla Bar & Grill at the Urbanica the Euclid Hotel — Miami Beach, FL
• Silver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC — Washington, DC
• The Living Room at The Dewberry — Charleston, SC

Best U.S. Hotel Bar – U.S. West

• ARDOR at The West Hollywood EDITION — West Hollywood, CA
• 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
• Mayor’s Table at the Lido House Newport — Newport Beach, CA
• Mountaineering Club at the Graduate Seattle Hotel — Seattle, WA
• Stella. at Hotel Sorrento — Seattle, WA
• The Amigo Room at Ace Hotel & Swim Club — Palm Springs, CA
• The Manor Bar at Rosewood Miramar Beach — Montecito, California
• The Tap Room at the Langham Huntington— Los Angeles, CA

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. Central* 

• Automatic Seafood and Oysters — Birmingham, AL
• Coltivare — Houston, TX
• Copper Spoon — Fort Wayne, IN
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
• Monteverde — Chicago, IL
• Rosie Cannonball — Houston, TX
• Saba — New Orleans, LA
• Spoon and Stable — Minneapolis, MN
• Takoi — Detroit, MI
• Thyme X Table — Bay Village, OH
• Watershed Kitchen and Bar — Columbus, OH

*Includes 12 honorees due to a tie

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. East

• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Chickadee — Boston, MA
• Cosme — New York, NY
• Crown Shy — New York, NY
• Gramercy Tavern — New York, NY
• Jaguar Sun — Miami, FL
• Kimball House — Decatur, GA
• Llama San — New York, NY
• Macchialina — Miami, FL
• Sunny’s at Lot 6 — Miami, FL

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar – U.S. West

• Across the Pond — Phoenix, AZ
• Bavel — Los Angeles, CA
• Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
• L’Oursin — Seattle, WA
• Otium — Los Angeles, CA
• Redbird — Los Angeles, CA
• Republique — Los Angeles, CA
• Strong Water Anaheim — Anaheim, CA
• Sunday Vinyl — Denver, CO
• Tavernetta — Denver, CO

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

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. Central 

• Angel Share — Houston, TX
• Apothecary — Dallas, TX
• Bar Loretta — San Antonio, TX
• Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel — New Orleans, LA
• Dragonfly — Detroit, MI
• Law Bird — Columbus, OH
• Settle Down Tavern — Madison, WI
• Supergeil — Detroit, MI
• Tiki Tatsu-Ya — Austin, TX
• Trash Panda Drinking Club — Houston, TX

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. East

• Delbar — Atlanta, GA
• Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
• Hoja Taqueria — Miami, FL
• Last Saint — Charleston, SC
• Margot Natural Wine Bar — Miami, FL
• O.K.P.B. — Washington, DC
• Overstory — New York, NY
• Temple Bar — New York, NY
• The Bar at Audrey — Nashville, TN
• The Sunken Harbor Club — Brooklyn, NY

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar – U.S. West

• Bar Maze — Honolulu, HI
• Bicyclette — Los Angeles, CA
• Forget Me Not — Denver, CO
• Happy Accidents — Alburquerque, NM
• Highball Cocktail Bar — Phoenix, AZ
• Inside Passage — Seattle, WA
• Kona’s Street Market — San Francisco, CA
• Palmetto — Oakland, CA
• Trade Winds Tavern — Seattle, WA
• Yacht Club — Denver, CO

GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation opens nominations for the 2022 Spirited Awards

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce the opening of the 16th annual Spirited Awards^® nomination period from February 15-March 8, 2022. Founded in 2007 to celebrate excellence in the drinks industry, the Spirited Awards has become one of the most internationally revered accolades, recognizing beverage professionals, products, establishments, journalists, and media across every facet of the global spirits and cocktail industry. In partnership with Forbes, the Spirited Awards official media partner, TOTCF will honor recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail^® (TOTC) conference, which is returning for an in-person celebration in New Orleans from July 25-29, 2022.

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

“Each year it is our distinct privilege to recognize the ingenuity and excellence of the cocktail community by presenting the TOTCF Spirited Awards, and this year feels particularly poignant given how hard our industry has been working,” said TOTCF CEO Eileen Wayner. “We are so appreciative of the dedication and tenacity of the beverage community, and we are honored to continue shining a light on the achievements of our colleagues through this recognition of the Spirited Awards.”

2022 Spirited Awards Changes and Updates 

In an effort to continually evolve alongside the dynamic cocktail community, the Spirited Awards Committee has thoughtfully reviewed the awards program and has implemented a number of changes to the 2022 process. This year’s Spirited Awards nomination process will return to recognizing the previously accredited categories such as the “establishments,” “people,” “books,” and “writing and media” categories; however, taking into consideration the impacts of COVID-19 over the past two years, the Spirited Awards Co-Chairs have agreed to retire the “Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar” and “Best U.S. High Volume Cocktail Bar” awards. Moving forward, bars that were previously considered for this category will now fall under either the “Best International/U.S. Cocktail Bar,” “Best International/U.S. Hotel Bar,” or “Best International/U.S. Restaurant Bar.” Additionally, while the Philanthropy Award has honored many outstanding efforts, it will also be retired from the Spirited Awards. An overwhelming volume of remarkable people, organizations, brands and establishments have stepped up since the onset of the global pandemic to help the industry navigate this crisis; however, the TOTCF team recognizes that it’s so many more than could possibly be formally awarded. .

In August 2020, in the midst of nomination announcements, TOTCF made the decision to update its policy surrounding repeat winners. Recognizing that past Spirited Award winners have been honored for their achievements and will remain in the revered echelon of veteran winners, TOTCF decided to ensure that others who have not yet had this recognition would have the sole opportunity to be awarded for their work. Thus, previous Spirited Award winners are not eligible for a subsequent win for the same concept and category. Also, moving forward, if a bar has previously won “World’s Best Bar,” they are no longer eligible to win another Spirited Award, except for the “Timeless” award (which is selected through a different set of criteria).

As an additional change in 2022, the Timeless awards will now accept public nominations.

Nominations, Timeline, and Categories

The open-call nomination period for the “establishments”, “people”, and “writing & media” categories will run from February 15-March 8, 2022. The Regional Honoree list will be published in May, and the Top 10 lists will be announced in early June, with the Top 4 Finalists announced in late June.

The 16th annual Spirited Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in partnership with the Tales of the Cocktail 2022 host venue, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans. Additional details will follow.

2022 Spirited Awards Categories Open for Public Nomination:

• (International/U.S.) Bartender of the Year
• Best (International/U.S.) Bar Mentor
• Best (International/U.S.) Brand Ambassador
• Best (International/U.S.) Bar Team
• Best (International/U.S.) Cocktail Bar
• Best (International/U.S.) Hotel Bar
• Best (International/U.S.) Restaurant Bar
• Best New (International/U.S.) Cocktail Bar
• Timeless (International/U.S.) Award
• World’s Best Cocktail Menu
• World’s Best Spirits Selection
• Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
• Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
• Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
• Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
• Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
• Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
• Pioneer Award

The nomination form, which is also open for self-nominations, can be found on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website. It only takes one nomination to be considered for the 2022 Spirited Awards, and all nominations are accepted and encouraged. 

Spirited Awards Committee 

Spirited Awards® Committee Members are a collective of revered bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe entrusted with the meaningful decision of evaluating nominees based on a set of structured criteria. Drawing on their years of experience and their knowledge of the current work happening locally, nationally, and internationally, together the committee judges and evaluates nominees from far and wide to ensure that the Spirited Awards represent the range and magnitude of the global drinks industry. The Spirited Awards is not based on popular vote and all nominations are evaluated by their respective judging committees, even a single vote carries equal weight in the evaluation process.

“The Spirited Awards are supported by a broad pool of industry judges from across the globe,” said Spirited Awards Overall Chair Charlotte Voisey. “We are so grateful for their professional opinion and their objectivity, which are so crucial to the process of celebrating excellence in all of its forms throughout the cocktail world.”

Winners will be selected by a panel of over 100 industry experts, led by the following Chairs and Co-Chairs:

• Spirited Awards Overall Chair
  • Charlotte Voisey
• Spirited Awards International Chair
  • Jacob Briars
• Timeless Co-Chair
  • Christine Sismondo
  • Colin Asare-Appiah
• 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

To learn more about the Spirited Awards Committee and awards criteria, please visit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards page.

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Spirited Awards^® and Forbes 

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to share that Forbes is returning as the official media partner for the 2022 Spirited Awards and currenly partners with the organization on editorial exploration of the interactive Spirited Awards Directory, as well as key themes and industry trends for the year.

TOTC 2022: Join Us in New Orleans for a Celebration of “Progress”

To toast the momentous 20-year anniversary of TOTC, the conference will return with a curated lineup of seminars, events, and, of course, imbibing all in the name of “progress” — the festival’s official 2022 theme. Chosen for its recognition of the nimble and adaptive development of the drinks industry, “Progress” showcases the transformative atmosphere and nature of the resilient cocktail community.

As a gracious offering to guests who want to join in celebrating 20 years of cocktail education and networking, Tales of the Cocktail’s 2022 official host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans has provided a room block and special rate for attendees. The online reservation platform can be accessed via the Marriott website, here.

Please follow along for additional information on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.

GSN Alert: 2021 Spirited Awards® Winners

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the 2021 Spirited Awards^® winners for the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Pioneer Award, Timeless U.S. Award, Timeless International Award, and the five Writing and Media awards. Founded in 2007 to celebrate excellence in the drinks industry, the Spirited Awards have become one of the most globally revered accolades, recognizing beverage professionals, brands, media, journalists, and establishments across all areas of the cocktail industry. This year, the 15th annual Spirited Awards ceremony was broadcast LIVE from Jewel of the South in New Orleans on Thursday, September 23 at 4pm CST. The ceremony is available for global viewing on the Tales of the Cocktail^® 2021 digital platform. As the Spirited Awards official media partner, Forbes will continue to share additional coverage on key themes and industry trends for 2021 on Forbes.com.

 

2021 Spirited Awards^®  Winners:  

• Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
  • Douglas Ankrah
  • Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller

• Pioneer Award presented by The Blend
  • Chris Cabrera
• Timeless International Award presented by Perrier
  • DUKES Bar at Dukes London, London UK
• Timeless U.S. Award presented by Q Mixers
  • Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant, San Francisco, CA

2021 Writing and Media Spirited Awards^® Winners:

• ​​Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy
  • Imbibe 
• Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy
  • Life Behind Bars with Noah Rothbaum & David Wondrich
• Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
  • “The Myth of the Peaceful Plantation” by Wayne Curtis, Half Full
• Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Diageo Bar Academy
  • Drinking French: The Iconic Cocktails, Apéritifs, and Café Traditions of France, with 160 Recipes by David Lebovitz
• Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy
  • Spirits of Latin America by Ivy Mix with James Carpenter

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces Dame Hall of Fame® Inductees and the Final Round of 2020 Spirited Awards® Winners

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to share the final round of winners for the 14th annual Spirited Awards^®. Founded in 2007, the Spirited Awards recognize beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the global spirits and cocktail community. The award categories celebrate a range of talent ㄧ from bartenders, brands and ambassadors to journalists and media ㄧ to ensure each aspect of the industry is well represented and recognized for their contributions.

For the first time in history, the Spirited Awards occured in an exclusively digital format as part of Tales of the Cocktail^®’s free global conference. This year’s conference bears the theme “catalyst,” meaning “to spark change,” and this year’s winners represent a global class of changemakers. The first round of winners were announced by Overall Chair Charlotte Voisey on Monday, September 21 at 9:30AM CT on the Foundation’s digital platform. The Raise a Glass: 2020 Spirited Awards Preshow was hosted today, September 24, at 3PM CT, featuring engaging discussions and live Q&As with nearly all of the Spirited Award winners, hosted by Ian Burrell and Lynnette Marrero.

The Spirited Awards ceremony was hosted at 4PM CT today and those recognitions and winners are featured in full below.

Philanthropy Recognitions presented by Santa Teresa 1796 Rum

Hope & Sesame — Guangzhou, China

Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation — New York, NY

COVID19 Employee Assistance Directive — Melbourne, Australia

Best American Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

Don Lee 

American Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard

Kevin Diedrich — Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Alex Kratena 

International Bartender of the Year presented by Martini & Rossi

Kelsey Ramage —  Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada

Pioneer Award presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Shannon Mustipher

Timeless American presented by Q Mixers

Angel’s Share — New York, NY

Timeless International presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Boadas Cocktails — Barcelona, Spain

Helen David Lifetime Achievement presented by William Grant & Sons

Audrey Saunders

The Dame Hall of Fame ceremony, in partnership with Spirit Forward by Bacardi Womxn in Leadership, was hosted at 12PM CT today and those recognitions and winners are featured in full below.

Dame Hall of Fame 2020 InducteesAmerican Inductee

Tiffanie Barriere

International Inductee

Tess Posthumus

“Congratulations to this year’s winners,” shared Caroline Rosen, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation President. “In a year that has caused us to all contemplate so much, there is no question that these individuals and establishments are worthy of celebration on a global stage. Their contributions are advancing this industry forward at a much needed time for change and we are honored to have the opportunity to recognize them.”

A number of changes were applied to this year’s Spirited Awards. For the first time in Tales history, the Pioneer Award Winner and the Dame Hall of Fame American and International inductees, historically part of Dame Hall of Fame®, were announced during the Spirited Awards. Dame Hall of Fame is a celebration of leaders who have made unique and lasting contributions to the global hospitality industry. Established in 2012, it serves to acknowledge and encourage mentorship throughout the beverage and hospitality industries. In an effort to make the Dame Hall of Fame more inclusive to the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalized groups within the global drinks community, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has chosen to move towards use of the word individual as opposed to woman. In 2020, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation® and Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails (LUPEC) made the decision to elevate the awards on the mainstage by naming one American Inductee, one International Inductee, and one Pioneer Award Winner who has positively impacted the hospitality industry through this unprecedented time on the main stage during the annual Spirited Awards.

Separately, the Foundation updated its Spirited Awards eligibility rules to no longer allow repeat winners. This means that if an individual has won a specific Spirited Award in the past, they are no longer eligible to win that same award in the future. The goal in enacting this change is to acknowledge that past Spirited Award winners have received honor and recognition for their achievement, and at the same time, provide more opportunities for others to be awarded for their work. This policy went into effect after this year’s Top 10 announcement; therefore,any Top 10 nominees who had previously won in that category became ineligible for the Top 4 list. This new rule does not apply in the same way to media and writing categories, which focus on specific bodies of work versus individuals.

In addition, the Foundation made the decision not to name a winner this year for the Spirited Awards World’s Best Bar category. Lockdowns and travel restrictions during the pandemic presented challenges for judges who were less able to visit the finalists in the running for this award. This decision supports the Foundation’s commitment to ensuring that the Spirited Awards are equitable and fair this year and beyond.

“The winners announced today represent such talent and hard work in our industry.  Today we celebrate their excellence as well as the opportunities to spread their knowledge further, through mentorship, to more communities within the bar world,” added Overall Spirited Awards Chair, Charlotte Voisey.

The Foundation’s Digital Playbill articulates changes to this year’s awards, provides highlights on this year’s nominees and provides insight on the judging process from Spirited Awards Co-Chairs. For more information, please visit www.talesofthecocktail.org

GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Announces Top 4 Finalists for the 2020 Spirited Awards®

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (August 24, 2020) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to debut this year’s Top 4 Finalists for the 14th annual Spirited Awards^®. Founded in 2007, the Spirited Awards celebrate beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the global spirits and cocktail community. The award categories spotlight a range of talent from bartenders, journalists, and brand ambassadors, to brands and media, to ensure each aspect of the industry is well represented and recognized for its contributions.

This year the Foundation and its Co-Chairs have made some changes to champion this community more thoughtfully. The Best Bar Mentor category was expanded in order to recognize additional mentors worldwide who continue to nurture and inspire others. Previously, one mentor was selected annually, and now there are American and International recipients. Further, the Pioneer Award (which since its inception in 2012 has lived within the annual “Dame Hall of Fame,” program) has now been folded into the Spirited Awards. This decision was made in order to amplify the accomplishments of individuals who have made unique and lasting contributions to the accessibility and intersectionality of the global drinks community over their careers. Additionally, the “Philanthropy Award,” which was first introduced as a single award in 2019, will be used as a platform to highlight examples of the altruistic work that so many organizations and individuals are undertaking in the wake of the COVID-19 global health crisis.

After much consideration and discussion with the Spirited Awards Committee, the Foundation has made the decision to update its policy around repeat winners. Its goal in doing so is to acknowledge that past Spirited Award winners have received honor and recognition for their achievements, and the Foundation wants to ensure that others who have not yet had this recognition have the opportunity to be awarded for their work in 2019 and beyond. This policy went into effect after this year’s Top 10 announcement, which means that this year’s Top 10 nominees who had previously won the category they were again nominated for were determined ineligible for the Top Four Finalist list. Moreover, moving forward, if a bar has previously won “World’s Best Bar,” they are no longer eligible to win another Spirited Award, except for “Timeless” or “Philanthropy” (which are selected through a different set of criteria).

These new rules affected a handful of Top 10 nominees this year. As such, the Spirited Awards judges had to re-cast their votes for those categories in order to determine the new Top 4 Finalists. Mandating this change in the middle of the judging process was not easy. The Foundation believes it is imperative to ensure the Spirited Awards process is more transparent, equitable and fair. In the coming months, the Foundation will announce additional changes to the submission and judging process, designed to make the Spirited Awards more inclusive and accessible for all.

“For many months now, we debated whether an awards ceremony is what the world needs right now,” shared Caroline Rosen, President of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Ultimately, we decided yes, we do need to continue to celebrate the resilience of our peers. Doubling down on philanthropic recognition and introducing categories that more accurately depict the range of voices contributing to the progress of our industry in meaningful ways — these are just a few of many steps forward we’re looking to make as an organization. Changing policies mid-awards cycle and recasting votes was a very difficult decision that we do not take lightly, but our hope is that it will create a more equitable and fair structure for all nominees.”

For the first time in history, the Spirited Awards will exist in an entirely digital format with a robust digital playbill spotlighting changes to this year’s awards, information on the nominees and insight into the process employed by Spirited Awards Co-Chairs. TOTCF will leverage its social media and digital platforms to celebrate global excellence. This will occur in two phases: a September 21 rollout of specific category winners via Tales’ website and a pre-recorded digital ceremony for select categories on September 24 (categories and dates denoted below). Given the volume of categories, spreading winner announcements out over the course of the Tales of the Cocktail^® 2020 week will enable the organization to more thoroughly spotlight the winners and their work on the organization’s channels.

The Raise a Glass: 2020 Spirited Awards Preshow will be hosted on September 24th at 3pm CST and the awards presentation will begin at 4pm CST. For more information, visit www.talesofthecocktail.org.

2020 Spirited Awards Top 4 Finalists (listed in alphabetical order)*:

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Winner announced on September 21

• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Nickel City — Austin, TX
• Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA

Best American Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on September 24

• Bridget Albert
• Alex Day
• Lynn House
• Don Lee

American Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard

Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on September 24

• Kevin Diedrich — Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
• Mary Palac — Paper Plane, San Jose, CA
• Masahiro Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NY
• Christine Wiseman — Broken Shaker, Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Winner announced on September 21

• Tad Carducci — Amaro Montenegro
• Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
• Robin Nance — Beam Suntory
• Dominic Venegas — Pernod Ricard USA

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

Winner announced on September 21

• Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Winner announced on September 21

• ABV — San Francisco, CA
• Anvil Bar & Refuge — Houston, TX
• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Nickel City — Austin, TX

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy

Winner announced on September 21

• Death & Co at the Ramble Hotel — Denver, CO
• Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino — Las Vegas, NV
• Mr. COCO at the Palms Casino Resort — Las Vegas, NV
• The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel — Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve 

Winner announced on September 21

• Cleaver — Las Vegas, NV
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Jimmy’s — Aspen, CO
• The Silver Dollar — Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Elijah Craig

Winner announced on September 21

• Bar Goto Niban — Brooklyn, NY
• Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
• Silver Lyan — Washington, D.C.
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura 

Winner announced on September 21

• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece
• The Connaught Bar — London, UK

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on September 24

• Simone Caporale
• Alex Kratena
• Lauren Mote
• Agostino Perrone

International Bartender of the Year presented by Martini & Rossi

Winner announced at the Spirited Awards Ceremony on September 24

• Bannie Kang — MU, Taipei, Taiwan
• Kelsey Ramage —  Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada
• Rémy Savage — Le Syndicat, Paris, France
• Kaitlyn Stewart — Royal Dinette, Vancouver, Canada

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Winner announced on September 21

• Camille Austin — Casa Lumbre Spirits
• Martin Hudák — Mr Black Spirits
• Daniyel Jones — The House of Angostura
• Dave Mitton — Lot No. 40 & J.P. Wiser’s Canadian Whisky

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

Winner announced on September 21

• Floreria Atlántico — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Native — Singapore
• Swift — London, UK

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Beam Suntory

Winner announced on September 21

• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Licorería Limantour — Mexico City, Mexico
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• The Baxter Inn — Sydney, Australia

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation 

Winner announced on September 21

• Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, Mexico
• Punch Room at The London EDITION — London, UK
• Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood Hotel — London, UK
• The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental — Bangkok, Thailand

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Winner announced on September 21

• ámaZ — Lima, Peru
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• Sober Company — Shanghai, China

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Perrier

Winner announced on September 21

• BYRDI — Melbourne, Australia
• Kwānt — London, UK
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• Tres Monos — Buenos Aires, Argentina

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

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

Winner announced on September 21

• DRiNK Magazine Asia
• Half Full
• The Spirits Business
• VinePair

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

Winner announced on September 21

• “Mixopedia: Under Foot” by Wayne Curtis for Imbibe
• “JaNee: Where is She Now” by Aaron Goldfarb for PUNCH
• “Can There Be Terroir in Spirits?” by Kara Newman for Wine Enthusiast
• “The Case for Drinking Scotch in Tiki Cocktails” by Becky Paskin for The Daily Beast

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

Winner announced on September 21

• Cocktails with a Twist by Kara Newman
• The NoMad Cocktail Book by Leo Robitschek
• The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes by Robert Simonson
• Minimalist Tiki: A Cocktail Wonk Look at Classic Libations and the Modern Tiki Vanguard by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith

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

Winner announced on September 21

• Drunk in China: Baijiu and the World’s Oldest Drinking Culture by Derek Sandhaus
• Last Call: Bartenders on Their Final Drink and the Wisdom and Rituals of Closing Time by Brad Thomas Parsons
• Understanding Spirits: Explaining Style and Quality by Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
• Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World by Derek Brown and Robert Yule

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

Winner announced on September 21

• Difford’s Guide
• Happy Hour History
• The Speakeasy
• WhiskyCast

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

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

Winner announced on September 21

• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Las Milpas
• Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled-in-Bond
• Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice
• Tequila Fortaleza Winter Blend 2019

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Perrier

Winner announced on September 21

• ATLAS Bar — Singapore
• Little Red Door — Paris, France
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

Winner announced on September 21

• Amor y Amargo – New York, NY
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• The Office — Chicago, IL

Timeless American Award presented by Q Mixers

• Angel’s Share — New York, NY

Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Boadas Cocktails — Barcelona, Spain

*By the time of the Awards, some bars may have closed temporarily or permanently in the wake of the pandemic. Some individuals listed might be furloughed or laid off at the time of the Awards, changing their bar or brand affiliation. The Spirited Awards assess the body of work from the year prior and represents how the individuals, establishments and brands were originally nominated.

The following Awards will be announced on September 24, 2020, during the digital Spirited Awards ceremony: Helen David Lifetime Achievement, presented by William Grant & Sons; Philanthropy, presented by Santa Teresa 1796 Rum; World’s Best Bar, presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation;  and the Pioneer Award, presented by Diageo Bar Academy.

“In this very difficult time in the global industry, it is some rare good news to be able to celebrate the hard work of bartenders and bars around the world,” said Jacob Briars, Spirited Awards International Chair. “My hope is that the Awards this year shine a light on this amazing, resilient community, as well as inspiring the public to visit these great nominees.”

Spirited Awards 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

Central U.S. Co-Chairs —  Bridget Albert, Shaun Traxler

West U.S. Co-Chairs — Kiowa Bryan, Mary Palac

East U.S. Co-Chairs — Laura Cullen, Andy Seymour

Europe Co-Chairs — Guiseppe Gallo, Claire Warner

Canada Co-Chairs — Evelyn Chick, Lauren Mote

Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs — Richard Irwin, Stephanie Simbo

Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs — Camille Austin, Tato Giovannini

Asia Pacific Co-Chair — Hayley Morison

Writing & Media Co-Chairs — Paul Clarke, Sandrea Lawrence, Francois Monti, Matthew Rowley

“The Spirited Awards not only unite hospitality at a time when we need it the most, they have allowed us to shine a bright light on the talent, passion and dedication of more incredible parts of the world. Although we may not be able to visit many of these vibrant establishments at the moment, the Awards are a reminder that no matter the distance, we are all united through a love of people, culture, food and drink,” shared Latin American & Carribean Spirited Awards Co-Chair Camille Austin.

JUDGES:

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. Over the past year, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation worked with the regional chairs to ensure this year’s judging panel would be more geographically diverse and focused on recruiting more judges from mid-sized markets to better represent the range of the industry on a global scale. This is especially evident in the addition of three new Writing & Media Co-Chairs who span the globe for 2020. The Spirited Awards® are not based on popular vote and all nominations will be evaluated by their respective judging committees.

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ABOUT TALES OF THE COCKTAIL FOUNDATION:

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization that educates, advances and supports the global hospitality industry and creates lasting impact in our host communities. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make a lasting impact in communities that host our events. Tales of the Cocktail^® 2020 will be held digitally from September 21 – 24, 2020. For more information on Tales of the Cocktail, please visit www.talesofthecocktail.org

GSN Alert: Top 10 nominees for this year’s Spirited Awards

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Top 10 nominees for this year’s Spirited Awards^®. The Foundation remains committed to keeping our industry connected during COVID-19 and will host its annual festival and the 14th annual Spirited Awards^®  in a primarily digital format this year. The organization is hopeful that come July 21, 2020, the scheduled start of Tales, there will be smaller, in-person events hosted wherever it is safe and advisable to do so in accordance with the CDC and state and local guidance.

Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards^® have become one of the most sought-after awards, recognizing beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale. The award categories spotlight a range of talent from bartenders, journalists, and brand ambassadors, to brands and media, to ensure each aspect of the industry is well represented and recognized for its contributions.

This year, a record number of Spirited Awards^® submissions were received across all categories with more geographic diversity than we’ve ever seen before — a testament to the hospitality industry’s continued participation in recognizing the incredible hard work and achievements of our colleagues.

2020 Spirited Awards^®  Top 10 Nominees (listed in alphabetical order):

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

Best American Bar Team* presented by William Grant & Sons

• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Existing Conditions — New York, NY
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Lost Lake — Chicago, IL
• Navy Strength — Seattle, WA
• Nickel City — Austin, TX
• Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
• Paper Plane — San Jose, CA
• Sweet Liberty — Miami, FL
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX
• Williams & Graham — Denver, CO

*Includes 11 nominees due to a tie

Best American Bar Mentor presented by BARSMARTS 

• Tony Abou-Ganim
• Bridget Albert
• Erick Casto
• Laura Cullen
• Alex Day
• Anu Elford
• Lynn House
• Don Lee
• Paul McGee
• Nectaly Mendoza

American Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard

• Kevin Diedrich — Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
• Marco Dionysos — ABV, San Francisco, CA
• Ricky Gomez — Palomar, Portland, OR
• Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA
• Alex Jump — Death & Co, Denver, CO
• Julia Momose — Kumiko, Chicago, IL
• Mary Palac — Paper Plane, San Jose, CA
• Ezra Star — Drink, Boston, MA
• Masahiro Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NY
• Christine Wiseman — Broken Shaker, Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Kiowa Bryan — Spiribam Fine R(h)um Specialists
• Tad Carducci — Amaro Montenegro
• Tracie Franklin — Glenfiddich
• Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
• Misty Kalkofen — Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal
• Robin Nance — Beam Suntory
• Trevor Schneider — Reyka Vodka
• Willy Shine — MAST – Jagermeister USA
• Dominic Venegas — Pernod Ricard USA
• Daniel Warrilow — Campari America Italian Portfolio

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

• Bar Goto — New York, NY
• Beachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 — New Orleans, LA
• Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
• Drink — Boston, MA
• Katana Kitten — New York, NY
• Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
• Pearl Diver — Nashville, TN
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Rob Roy — Seattle, WA
• Trick Dog — San Francisco, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Grey Goose

• ABV — San Francisco, CA
• Anvil — Houston, TX
• Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour — Phoenix, AZ
• Café La Trova — Miami, FL
• Ghost Donkey — New York, NY
• Nickel City — Austin, TX
• Sweet Liberty — Miami, FL
• The Dead Rabbit — New York, NY
• The NoMad Bar — New York, NY
• The Roosevelt Room — Austin, TX

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Broken Shaker at Freehand Hotel — Los Angeles, CA
• Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NY
• Death & Co at the Ramble Hotel — Denver, CO
• Elephant Bar at the NoMad Hotel — New York, NY
• Hey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, OR
• Le Sirenuse Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons Hotel at the Surf Club — Miami, FL
• Libertine Social at the Mandalay Bay — Las Vegas, NV
• Mr. COCO at the Palms Casino Resort — Las Vegas, NV
• Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel — Louisville, KY
• The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt — Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Bad Hunter — Chicago, IL
• Better Luck Tomorrow — Houston, TX
• Cleaver — Las Vegas, NV
• Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
• Gramercy Tavern — New York, NY
• Grey Ghost — Detroit, MI
• Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
• Jimmy’s — Aspen, CO
• Otium — Los Angeles, CA
• The Silver Dollar — Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Heaven Hill

• Bar Goto Niban — Brooklyn, NY
• Bar Marilou — New Orleans, LA
• Belle Époque — New Orleans, LA
• Boat Drinks — St. Augustine, FL
• Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
• Crown Shy — New York, NY
• Elda — San Francisco, CA
• Scotch Lodge — Portland, OR
• Silver Lyan — Washington, D.C.
• Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

Best International Bar Team* presented by House of Angostura

• Alquímico — Cartagena, Colombia
• El Copitas Bar — St. Petersburg, Russia
• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Manhattan at Regent Singapore — Singapore
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Sober Company — Shanghai, China
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece
• The Connaught Bar — London, UK
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

*Includes 11 nominees due to a tie

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Simone Caporale
• Aaron Diaz Olivos
• Renato Giovannoni
• Shingo Gokan
• Alex Kratena
• Chris Lowder
• Dre Masso
• Lauren Mote
• Agostino Perrone
• Carina Soto Velasquez

International Bartender of the Year presented by Martini & Rossi

• Claudia Cabrera — Kaito de Valle, Mexico City, Mexico
• Andrea Gualdi — Maybe Sammy, Sydney, Australia
• Bannie Kang — MU, Taipei, Taiwan
• José Luis León — Ritual H Bars, Mexico City, Mexico
• Kelsey Ramage —  Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada
• Remy Savage — Le Syndicat, Paris, France
• Marcio Silva — Guilhotina Bar, São Paulo, Brazil
• Kaitlyn Stewart — Royal Dinette, Vancouver, Canada
• Luke Whearty — Byrdi, Melbourne, Australia
• Matt Whiley — Scout London & Sydney, UK

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Camille Austin — Casa Lumbre
• Dickie Cullimore — Bacardi Limited
• Diego Ferrari — Matusalem Rum
• Paulo Figueiredo — Ketel One
• Audrey Hands — Havana Club
• Martin Hudak — Mr Black Spirits
• Daniyel Jones — The House of Angostura
• Dave Mitton — Lot No. 40 & J.P. Wiser’s Canadian Whisky
• Luca Missaglia — Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto
• Nicola Riske — The Macallan & Edrington Malts

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

• CARNAVAL — Lima, Peru
• Floreria Atlántico — Buenos Aires, Argentina
• MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia
• Native — Singapore
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Speak Low — Shanghai, China
• Swift — London, UK
• The Old Man — Hong Kong, China
• Three Sheets — London, UK
• Two Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Beam Suntory

• Alquímico — Cartagena, Colombia
• Employees Only — Singapore
• Freni e Frizioni — Rome, Italy
• HIMKOK — Oslo, Norway
• La Factoría — San Juan, Puerto Rico
• Licorería Limantour — Mexico City, Mexico
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• The Baxter Inn — Sydney, Australia
• The Clumsies — Athens, Greece
• Trailer Happiness — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• Artesian at The Langham — London, UK
• Fifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, Mexico
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Punch Room at The London EDITION — London, UK
• Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood Hotel — London, UK
• The American Bar at The Savoy Hotel — London, UK
• The Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental — Bangkok, Thailand
• The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel — London, UK
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

• ámaZ — Lima, Peru
• Bar Kismet — Halifax, Canada
• Continental Deli Bar Bistro — Newtown, Australia
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Restaurant Hubert — Sydney, Australia
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• Sober Company — Shanghai, China
• SubAstor – São Paulo, Brazil
• Tippling Club — Singapore
• Zuma Dubai — Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons

• Bar Margaux — Melbourne, Australia
• Byrdi — Melbourne, Australia
• Café Ocampo — Mexico City, Mexico
• Kwānt — London, UK
• Mother Cocktail Bar — Toronto, Canada
• No Sleep Club — Singapore
• Stillife — Montreal, Canada
• Supernova Ballroom — Toronto, Canada
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• Tres Monos — Buenos Aires, Argentina

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

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

• Class Magazine
• Cocktail Lovers
• Cocktail Wonk
• Difford’s Guide
• DRiNK Magazine Asia
• Half Full
• Liquor.com
• The Daily Expo
• The Spirits Business
• VinePair

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

• M. Carrie Allan, “Chartreuse liqueur’s popularity has soared. But how do you market the elixir without offending the monks who make it?” The Washington Post
• Céline Bossart, “Sexism in the Bartending World is Real. Here Are Some Ways to Handle It,” Liquor.com
• Wayne Curtis, “Mixopedia: Under Foot,” Imbibe
• Philip Duff, “Duff Said: Unwise Investments,” Drinks International
• Aaron Goldfarb, “JaNee: Where is She Now,” PUNCH
• Kara Newman, “Can There Be Terroir in Spirits?” Wine Enthusiast
• Becky Paskin, “The Case for Drinking Scotch in Tiki Cocktails,” The Daily Beast
• Matt Pietrek, “Can the U.S Recognize Rum Regulations?” Cocktail Wonk
• Clay Risen, “Yes, African-Americans Drink Bourbon. You’d Never Know It From the Marketing,” The New York Times 
• Hamish Smith, “New Yawk Boyz!” Class Magazine

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

• Bar Chef: Handcrafted Cocktails By Christiaan Rollich and Carolynn Carreño
• Cocktails with a Twist by Kara Newman
• Great Northern Cocktails by Shawn Soole
• Miami Cocktails: An Elegant Collection of over 100 Recipes Inspired by the Magic City by Gabriel Urrutia
• Minimalist Tiki: A Cocktail Wonk Look at Classic Libations and the Modern Tiki Vanguard by Matt Pietrek
• Schofield’s Fine and Classic Cocktails: Celebrated Libations & Other Fancy Drinks by Daniel Schofield and Joe Schofield
• Sip: 100 Gin Cocktails with Only Three Ingredients by Sipsmith
• The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes by Robert Simonson
• The NoMad Cocktail Book by Leo Robitschek
• Tiki: Modern Tropical Cocktails by Shannon Mustipher

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

• Amaro Italiano by Matteo Zed
• Drunk in China: Baijiu and the World’s Oldest Drinking Culture by Derek Sandhaus
• Last Call: Bartenders on Their Final Drink and the Wisdom and Rituals of Closing Time by Brad Thomas Parsons
• Spirits, Sugar, Water, Bitters: How the Cocktail Conquered the World by Derek Brown and Robert Yule
• The Complete Whiskey Course: A Comprehensive Tasting School in Ten Classes by Robin Robinson
• The Tequila Dictionary: An A–Z of All Things Tequila, Mezcal and Agave Spirits by Eric Zandona
• The World Atlas of Gin: Explore the Gins of More Than 50 Countries by Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley
• Understanding Spirits: Explaining Style and Quality by WSET

*Due to a limited number of submissions, this category includes less than 10 nominees

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

• Difford’s Guide
• Happy Hour History
• Life Behind Bars
• Living Proof: Conversations for Bartenders
• Post Shift Podcast with Shawn Soole
• Shift Drink
• That Boutique-y Broadcasting Company’s Uncorked: Whisky Sessions
• The Speakeasy
• What We’re Drinking with Dan Dunn
• WhiskyCast

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

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

• Avallen Calvados
• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Las Milpas
• Empirical Spirits Ayuuk
• Fever-Tree Refreshingly Light Cucumber Tonic Water
• Heaven Hill 7 Year Bottled in Bond
• Hendrick’s Midsummer Solstice
• iichiko Saiten Shochu
• Mr Black Single Origin Colombia
• SCHOFIELDS Dry Vermouth
• Tequila Fortaleza Winter Blend 2019

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Perrier

• ATLAS Bar — Singapore
• Dante — New York, NY
• Little Red Door — Paris, France
• Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
• The American Bar at The Savoy Hotel — London, UK
• The Connaught Bar — London, UK

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

• Amor Y Amargo – New York, NY
• Cantina OK! — Sydney, Australia
• Coupette — London, UK
• Old Lightning — Los Angeles, CA
• Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
• Rumba — Seattle, WA
• Sexy Fish — London, UK
• Speak Low — Shanghai, China
• The Beaufort Bar at The Savoy Hotel — London, UK
• The Office — Chicago, IL

GSN Alert: Tales of the Cocktail 2019 Spirited Award Winners

Congratulations to this year’s winners! Cheers!

 

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

American Bartender of the Year presented by Amaro Montenegro

Julio Cabrera – Cafe La Trova, Miami, FL

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tim Cooper, Fords Gin

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Monica Berg – Tayer and Elementary, London, UK

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Select Aperitivo

Attaboy – New York, NY

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Grey Goose Vodka

Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Altos Tequila

Compére Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve

Dante – New York, NY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Elijah Craig Bourbon

Katana Kitten – New York, NY

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

International Bartender of the Year presented by BACARDÍ RUM

Monica Berg – Tayer and Elementary, London, UK

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Joe McCanta, Grey Goose

Best International Bar Team presented by The House of Angostura

Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

Atlas Bar – Singapore

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Beam Suntory

Schumann’s Bar – Munich, Germany

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier

Manhattan at Regent Singapore – Singapore

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Peroni Nastro Azzurro

Hawksmoor Spitalfields – London, UK

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

MAYBE SAMMY – Sydney, Australia

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Best Bar Mentor presented by BARSMARTS

Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by TABASCO® Brand

Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Wine & Spirit Education Trust

Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

Atlas Bar – Singapore

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

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

SevenFifty Daily

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

Robert Simonson, The New York Times, Imbibe Magazine, PUNCH

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

Cocktail Codex: Fundamentals, Formulas, Evolutions by Alex Day, David Kaplan, and Nick Fauchald

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

A Drinkable Feast: A Cocktail Companion to 1920s Paris by Philip Greene

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

Bartender at Large

 

ADDITIONAL INDUSTRY AWARDS

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

Dante – New York, NY

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons

Javier De Las Muelas

Philanthropy Award presented by Santa Teresa 1796 Rum

Speed Rack

Timeless American Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Napoleon House – New Orleans, LA

Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

El Floridita – Havana, Cuba

GSN Alert: Tales on Tour in Puerto Rico, March 10-13, 2019

NEW ORLEANS, LA – October 2, 2018 – Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is honored to announce a special edition of Tales on Tour 2019 will occur in Puerto Rico, in an effort to help the territory rebuild through supporting the region’s spirits community and hospitality industry. The four-day festival will occur from March 10 – 13, 2019. Old San Juan will be the host city for Tales on Tour with Hotel El Convento serving as the host hotel.

Tales on Tour is an annual initiative that partners Tales of the Cocktail Foundation with a domestic or international host city outside of New Orleans to further the foundation’s mission to educate, advance, and support the industry on a global scale.

“As New Orleanians, we live in a city rebuilt on hospitality in the wake of a natural disaster,” shared Gary Solomon, Jr., Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “New Orleans’ culinary scene was instrumental in New Orleans’ long road to rebuilding and financial recovery. That shared sentiment really drew us to help a sister city through a genuine lens of hospitality.”

The Foundation’s Executive Board, Gary Solomon Jr. and Neal Bodenheimer, along with Executive Director, Caroline Rosen, recently conducted a trip to Puerto Rico to meet with bar owners, spirits professionals, and organizations, like Discover Puerto Rico, firsthand earlier this year. In doing so, they found there is a robust and beloved cocktail scene that, given support and resources, could prove impactful in the territory’s ongoing efforts to rebuild.

One of those bars that solidified the Foundation’s decision to venture to Puerto Rico was La Factoria, a 2018 finalist for a Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award. La Factoria’s team will be a close partner for Tales on Tour 2019, working alongside the Executive Team to host a special takeover event during the festival. Co-founder, Roberto Berdecia shared, “It has been a very tough year and it has been incredible to see all of the support from the outside. Bringing Tales on Tour to Puerto Rico is going to make us feel part of something bigger. Those who come here will feel what we call ‘calor caribeño,’ meaning, make them part of the family!”

Similar to Tales of the Cocktail 2018, Tales on Tour will include a Day of Service, a Day of Education, Beyond the Bar programming centered on mental health and wellness programming, Spirited Dinners, and the organization’s signature Cocktail Apprentice Program.

“We are delighted that Puerto Rico has been chosen to host Tales of The Cocktail on Tour in 2019. There is no better place than Puerto Rico, the rum capital of the world, to bring together thousands of hospitality professionals from around the world and give them the opportunity to discover Puerto Rico, immerse themselves in the culinary and mixology scene while also learning about our culture and heritage,” said Brad Dean, CEO Discover Puerto Rico. “Aside from having a significant impact in the visitor economy of Puerto Rico, it will also offer the local industry a vehicle for continued education. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

More details will be released in the weeks to come as programming is announced.

For more information go to: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

GSN Alert: Winners of the 2018 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards

2018 Spirited Award Recipients

American Categories

Best American Bar Team
Presented by William Grant & Sons
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL

American Bartender of the Year
Presented by Bacardi USA
Yael Vengroff, The Spare Room, Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador
Presented by VinePair
Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America

Best American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pernod Ricard USA
Lost Lake, Chicago, IL

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar 
Presented by William Grant & Sons
The NoMad Bar, New York City, NY

Best American Hotel Bar
Presented by Bacardi USA
The Broken Shaker Miami at The Freehand, Miami, FL

Best American Restaurant Bar
Presented by Woodford Reserve
Clyde Common, Portland, OR

Best New American Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pierre Ferrand Cognac
Navy Strength, Seattle, WA

International Categories

Best International Bar Team
Presented by The House of Angostura
The American Bar, The Savoy, London

International Bartender of the Year 
Presented by Bacardi USA
Joe Schofield, Tippling Club, Singapore

Best International Brand Ambassador
Presented by G.H. Mumm
Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador

Best International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pernod Ricard USA
Happiness Forgets, London

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
Presented by Rutte
The Clumsies, Athens

Best International Hotel Bar
Presented by Japan Sake and Shochu Makers Association
The American Bar, The Savoy, London

Best International Restaurant Bar 
Presented by Mandarine Napoléon
Sager & Wilde, London

Best New International Cocktail Bar
Presented by Pierre Ferrand Cognac
Coupette, London

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication 
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
The Daily Beast, Half Full Section

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
Presented by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post, Imbibe, and more

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Presented by Gra’it Grappa
Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits
Presented by Cocktail Kingdom
By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Life Behind Bars

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor
Presented by BarSmarts
Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient 
Presented by Maverick Drinks
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Presented by Peroni
Dandelyan, London

World’s Best Spirit Selection
Presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami, FL

World’s Best Bar 
Presented by Italicus
The American Bar at The Savoy, London

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award 
Presented by William Grant & Sons
John Lermayer

Congratulations to this year’s winners!

GSN Alert: The Top Four Finalists 12th Annual Spirited Awards®

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

American Bartender of the Year presented by Bacardi USA

Kevin Diedrich, Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Marcovaldo Dionysos, ABV – San Francisco, CA

Yael Vengroff, Spare Room – Los Angeles, CA

Jillian Vose, Dead Rabbit – New York, NY

Best American Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tim Cooper, 86 Co.

Lynn House, Heaven Hill

Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America

Robin Nance, Beam Suntory

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Columbia Room – Washington D.C.

Drink – Boston, MA

Herbs & Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

Anvil – Houston, TX

Bar Goto – New York City, NY

Lost Lake – Chicago, IL

PDT – New York City, NY

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by William Grant & Sons

Drink – Boston, MA

Polite Provisions – San Diego, CA

Harvard & Stone – Los Angeles, CA

The NoMad Bar – New York City, NY

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Bacardi USA

Compère Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA

Midnight Rambler at The Joule – Dallas, TX

The Broken Shaker at The Freehand – Miami, FL

The Spare Room at The Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve

Clyde Common – Portland, OR

Gramercy Tavern – New York City, NY

Nopa – San Francisco, CA

Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Maison Ferrand USA

Attaboy Nashville – Nashville, TN

Broken Shaker LA – Los Angeles, CA

Navy Strength – Seattle, WA

The Aviary NYC – New York City, NY

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

International Bartender of the Year presented by Bacardi USA

Roman Foltan, ATLAS – Singapore

Tess Posthumus, Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – Amsterdam

Remy Savage, Artesian – London

Joe Schofield, Tippling Club – Singapore

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by G.H. Mumm

Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador

Dickie Cullimore, Bacardi

Joe McCanta, Grey Goose

Nicola Riske, Macallan & Edrington Malts

Best International Bar Team presented by The House of Angostura

Licoreria Limantour – Mexico City

The American Bar, The Savoy – London

The Clumsies – Athens

The Connaught Bar – London

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

ATLAS – Singapore

Happiness Forgets – London

Le Syndicat – Paris

Licoreria Limantour – Mexico City

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by Rutte Gin

The Baxter Inn – Sydney

Callooh Callay – London

La Factoria – San Juan

The Clumsies – Athens

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Japan Shochu and Sake Maker Association

Fifty Mils at Four Seasons Hotel – Mexico City

Manhattan Bar at Regent – Singapore

Punch Room at London Edition – London

The American Bar at The Savoy – London

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Mandarine Napoléon

Danico – Paris

Hawksmoor Spitalfields – London

Sager & Wilde – London

Sexy Fish – London

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Maison Ferrand USA

Coupette – London

Scout – London

The Mint Gun Club – London

Two Schmucks – Barcelona

WRITING CATEGORIES

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

1806 Magazine

Neat Pour

The Daily Beast Half Full Section

Whisky Advocate

Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer presented by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post and more

Matt Pietrek, Cocktail Wonk

Noah Rothbaum, The Daily Beast

Robert Simonson, The New York Times

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Gra’it Grappa

Gin Tonica by David T. Smith

One-Bottle Cocktail by Maggie Hoffman

Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

3 Ingredient Cocktails by Robert Simonson

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

Beachbum Berry’s Sippin Safari by Jeff Berry

By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler

Mezcal by Emma Janzen

The Way of Whisky: A Journey Around Japanese Whisky by Dave Broom, Photography by Kohei Take

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

Bartender At Large

Life Behind Bars

The Speakeasy

WhiskyCast

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Best Bar Mentor presented by Barsmarts

Bridget Albert, Southern Wine and Spirits

Ryan Chetiyawardana, Mr Lyan

Alex Kratena, Pour

Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions, INC

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Maverick Drinks

Creme de Banane, Tempus Fugit Spirits

Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali

MARTINI Riserva Speciale Bitter

Old Duff Single Malt Genever

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Peroni

BlackTail – New York City, NY

Dandelyan – London

Dante – New York City, NY

The American Bar, The Savoy – Every Moment Tells a Story – London

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

ATLAS – Singapore

Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

The Office – Chicago, IL

Whitechapel – San Francisco, CA

World’s Best Bar presented by Italicus

World’s Best Bar is awarded to one of the winners in the bar categories: Best American and International Cocktail Bar, Best American and International Restaurant Bar, Best American and International Hotel Bar and Best American and International High Volume Bar. The winner will be announced at the 2018 Spirited Awards.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY WILLIAM GRANT & SONS

The recipient of the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award will be announced soon.

 

GSN Alert: Top 10 Nominees for the 12th Annual Spirited Awards

American Categories

American Bartender of the Year presented by Bacardi USA

Tyson Buehler, Death & Co – Denver, CO

Kevin Diedrich, Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Marcovaldo Dionysos, ABV – San Francisco, CA

Abigail Gullo, Compère Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA

Franky Marshall, Le Boudoir – New York, NY

Micah Melton, The Aviary – Chicago, IL

Ezra Star, Drink – Boston, MA

Kellie Thorn, Empire State South – Atlanta, GA

Yael Vengroff, Spare Room – Los Angeles, CA

Jillian Vose, Dead Rabbit – New York, NY

Christine Wiseman, Broken Shaker – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador

Kiowa Bryan, Spiribam

Tim Cooper, 86 Co.

Gardner Dunn, Suntory Whiskies

Erin Hayes, House Spirits

Vance Henderson, Monkey Shoulder

Lynn House, Heaven Hill

Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America

Jessamine McLellan, Irish Whiskey, Pernod Ricard

Robin Nance, Beam Suntory

Trevor Schneider, Reyka

Best American Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons

Clover Club – Brooklyn, NY

Columbia Room – Washington D.C.

Dante – New York City, NY

Drink – Boston, MA

Herbs & Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Leyenda – Brooklyn, NY

Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Sportsman’s Club – Chicago, IL

Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

Williams & Graham – Denver, CO

Best American Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

ABV – San Francisco, CA

Amor Y Amargo – New York City, NY

Anvil – Houston, TX

Bar Goto – New York City, NY

BarMini by Jose Andres – Washington, D.C.

Lost Lake – Chicago, IL

Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

PDT – New York City, NY

Pouring Ribbons – New York City, NY

Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar presented by William Grant & Sons

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – Phoenix, AZ

Drink – Boston, MA

Harvard and Stone – Los Angeles, CA

Occidental – Denver, CO

Pagan Idol – San Francisco, CA

Polite Provisions – San Diego, CA

Roosevelt Room – Austin, TX

Sportsman’s Club – Chicago, IL

The Anderson – Miami, FL

The NoMad Bar – New York City, NY

Best American Hotel Bar presented by Bacardi USA

Brother’s and Sister’s at The Line Hotel – Washington D.C.

Charmaine’s at The Proper Hotel – San Francisco, CA

Compère Lapin at The Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery – New Orleans, LA

Covina at Park South – New York City, NY

Libertine Social at The Mandalay – Las Vegas, NV

Midnight Rambler at The Joule – Dallas, TX

Sable Kitchen & Bar at The Palomar – Chicago, IL

The Broken Shaker at The Freehand – Miami, FL

The Living Room at The Dewberry Hotel – Charleston, SC

The Roof at Park South – New York City, NY

The Spare Room at The Roosevelt Hotel – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar presented by Woodford Reserve

Bad Hunter – Chicago, IL

Bar Agricole – San Francisco, CA

Cherry Circle Room – Chicago, IL

Clyde Common – Portland, OR

Gramercy Tavern – New York City, NY

Kimball House – Decatur, GA

LihoLiho Yacht Club – San Francisco, CA

No. 9 Park – Boston, MA

Nopa – San Francisco, CA

Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar presented by Maison Ferrand USA

Attaboy Nashville – Nashville, TN

Broken Shaker LA – Los Angeles, CA

Death or Glory – Delray Beach, FL

Diamond Reef – Brooklyn, NY

Navy Strength – Seattle, WA

Nickel City – Austin, TX

NoMad LA Giannini Bar – Los Angeles, CA

Prairie School – Chicago, IL

The Aviary NYC – New York City, NY

The Pool Lounge – New York, NY

International Bartender of the Year presented by Bacardi USA

Sullivan Doh, La Commune – Paris

Marcis Dzelzainis, Sager and Wilde – London

Roman Foltan, ATLAS – Singapore

Chris Hysted-Adams, Black Pearl – Melbourne

Chris Moore, Coupette – London

Tess Posthumus, Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – Amsterdam

Remy Savage, Artesian – London

Joe Schofield, Tippling Club – Singapore

Kaitlyn Stewart, Royal Dinette – Vancouver

Luke Whearty, Operation Dagger – Singapore

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by G.H. Mumm

Georgie Bell, Malts – Bacardi

Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador

Dickie Cullimore, Bacardi

Gareth Evans, Absolut Elyx

Daniyel Jones, Angostura

Roberta Mariani, Martini

Joe McCanta, Grey Goose

Raj Nagra, Bombay Sapphire

George Nemec, Becherovka

Nicola Riske, Macallan & Edrington Malts

Meimi Sanchez, Havana Club International

Best International Bar Team presented by The House of Angostura

Baxters Inn – Sydney

Black Pearl – Melbourne

Licoreria Limantour – Mexico City

Lost & Found Drinkery – Cyprus

Manhattan Bar – Singapore

Swift – London

The American Bar, The Savoy – London

The Clumsies – Athens

The Connaught Bar – London

Tippling Club – Singapore

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard

ATLAS – Singapore

Bulletin Place – Sydney

Happiness Forgets – London

Le Syndicat – Paris

Licoreria Limantour – Mexico City

Lost and Found Drinkery – Cyprus

Native – Singapore

Operation Dagger – Singapore

Speak Low – Shanghai

The Gibson – London

Three Sheets – London

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

Baba Au Rum – Athens

Baxters Inn – Sydney

Callooh Callay – London

Central Station – Beirut

Dirty Dick – Paris

Eau-de-Vie – Melbourne

HIMKOK – Oslo, Norway

La Factoria – San Juan

Oriole Bar – London

Panda and Sons – Edinburgh

Super Lyan – London

The Barber Shop – Sydney

The Clumsies – Athens

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Japan Shochu and Sake Maker Association

Bamboo Bar at the Mandarin Oriental- Bangkok

Charles H at the Four Seasons- Seoul

Dukes Bar at Dukes – London

Fifty Mils at Four Seasons Hotel- Mexico City

Lobster Bar at Island Shangri-La- Hong Kong

Manhattan Bar at Regent – Singapore

Punch Room at London Edition – London

Scarfes Bar at Rosewood – London

The American Bar at The Savoy – London

The Lobby Bar at The London EDITION

Best International Restaurant Bar

Blind Pig – London

Cub – London

Danico – Paris

Hawksmoor Spitalfields – London

Maybe Frank – Sydney

Sager & Wilde – London

Sexy Fish – London

Sober Company – Shanghai

The Clove Club – London

Tjoget/Linje Tio – Stockholm

Zuma Dubai – Dubai

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Maison Ferrand USA

Botanist – Vancouver, Canada

Coupette – London

Flying Dutchmen Cocktails – Amsterdam

Les Grands Verres – Paris

MOOTEE – Johannesburg

Scout – London

The Mint Gun Club – London

The Old Man – Hong Kong

The Strangers Club – Panamá

Two Schmucks – Barcelona

Waeska Bar at the Mandrake – London

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

1806 Magazine

Difford’s Guide

Fine Drinking Magazine

Liquor.com

Neat Pour

Rumporter Magazine

The Daily Beast Half Full Section

The Spirits Business

VinePair

Whisky Advocate

Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer presented by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts

Carrie Allan, The Washington Post and more

Simon Difford, Difford’s Guide

Aaron Goldfarb, PUNCH

Pableaux Johnson, New York Times, Imbibe, and more

Matt Pietrek, Cocktail Wonk

Clay Risen, New York Times

Noah Rothbaum, The Daily Beast

Robert Simonson, The New York Times

Hamish Smith, Class Magazine, Drinks International

Max Watman, The Daily Beast

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Gra’it Grappa

Cocktail Chameleon by Mark Addison

FEVER-TREE The Art of Mixing Simple Long Drinks & Cocktails From The World’s Leading Bars by Charles Rolls and Tim Warrillow

Gin Tonica by David T. Smith

L’Heure du Cocktail / The Cocktail Hour by Marcel Requien & Lucien Farnoux-Reynaud

One-Bottle Cocktail by Maggie Hoffman

Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

The Imbible by Micah LeMon

3 Ingredient Cocktails by Robert Simonson

The Cocktail Competition Handbook by Andy Ives

The Cocktail Guy’ by Rich Woods

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits

Barrel Strength Bourbon: The Explosive Growth of America’s Whiskey by Carla Harris Carlton

Beachbum Berry’s Sippin Safari by Jeff Berry

By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler

Distillery Cats by Brad Thomas Parsons

Masters of Craft: Old Jobs in the New Urban Economy by Richard E. Ocejo

Mezcal by Emma Janzen

Rum Curious: The Indispensable Tasting Guide to the World’s Spirit by Fred Minnick

STRAIGHT UP The insiders’ guide to the world’s most interesting bars and drinking experiences by Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley

The Curious Bartender’s Rum Revolution by Joel Harrison

The Way of Whisky: A Journey Around Japanese Whisky by Dave Broom, Photography by Kohei Take

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series

Bar None Podcast

BarChick Media Ltd.

Bartender At Large

Cocktails For You

Difford’s Guide

Gin Foundry

Life Behind Bars

Liquor.com

Shift Drink podcast with Ed Rudisell and Arthur Black

The Speakeasy

WhiskyCast

Best Bar Mentor presented by Barsmarts

Tony Abou-Ganim, The Modern Mixologist

Bridget Albert, Southern Wine and Spirits

Ryan Chetiyawardana, Mr Lyan

Alex Kratena, Pour

Francesco Lafranconi, Bar consultant

Christopher Lowder, Proof & Company, China

Dre Masso, Mentor

Nectaly Mendoza, Herbs & Rye

Mike Ryan, Kimpton Hotels

Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions, INC

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

Creme de Banane, Tempus Fugit Spirits

Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali

Rieger & Co. Monogram Whiskey 2018 Sherry Bota

Laird’s Straight Applejack 86

MARTINI Riserva Speciale Bitter

Old Duff Single Malt Genever

Paranubes Oaxacan Rum

Privateer Rum Pot Stilled Overproof Rum- Tres Aromatique

Tequila Siembra Valles Blanco Ancestral

The Bitter Truth Bogart’s Bitters

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Peroni

American Bar, The Savoy – Every Moment Tells a Story – London

Bitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour – Phoenix, AZ

BlackTail – New York City, NY

Canon – Seattle, WA

Charles H, Four Seasons Hotel – Seoul

Dandelyan – London

Dante – New York City, NY

MACE bar – New York City, NY

The Aviary – Chicago, IL

Tippling Club – Singapore

World’s Best Spirits Selection

Amor y Amargo – New York, NY

ATLAS – Singapore

Mabel – Paris, France

Old Crow – Zürich, Switzerland

Rumba – Seattle, WA

Sexy Fish – London

Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

The Baxter Inn – Sydney, Australia

The Office – Chicago, Illinois

Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA

Whitechapel – San Francisco, CA

GSN Alert: Winners of the 2017 Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards

Congratulations to all!  Well deserved!

American Categories

Best American Bar Team
The NoMad Bar (New York, NY)

American Bartender of the Year
Jeff Bell of PDT (New York, NY)

Best American Brand Ambassador
Misty Kalkofen (Del Maguey)

Best American Cocktail Bar
Columbia Room (Washington, DC)

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company (Miami, FL)

Best American Hotel Bar
The Hawthorne at The Commonwealth Hotel (Boston, MA)

Best American Restaurant Bar
Dante NYC (New York, NY)

Best New American Cocktail Bar
BlackTail (New York, NY)

International Categories

Best International Bar Team
Dandelyan (London, UK)

International Bartender of the Year
Shingo Gokan of Speak Low (Shanghai, China)

Best International Brand Ambassador
Camille Ralph Vidal (St-Germain)

Best International Cocktail Bar
Black Pearl (Melbourne, Australia)

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
Trailer Happiness (London, UK)

Best International Hotel Bar
Dandelyan at The Mondrian (London, UK)

Best International Restaurant Bar
Tippling Club (Singapore)

Best New International Cocktail Bar
Swift (London, UK)

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Hot Rum Cow

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
Wayne Curtis

Best New Cocktail & Bartending Book
Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki by Martin & Rebecca Cate

Best New Spirits Book
Bourbon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of An American Whiskey by Fred Minnick

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor
David Wondrich

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto (Italy)

World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Trick Dog (San Francisco, United States)

World’s Best Spirits Selection
canon: whiskey and bitters emporium (Seattle, WA)

Lifetime Achievement Award
Charles Schumann

World’s Best Cocktail Bar
Dandelyan

Tales of the Cocktail® Announces the Top 4 Finalists for the 2017 Spirited Awards®

2017 Spirited Awards® Top Four Finalists

AMERICAN CATEGORIES

Best American Bar Team

• Herbs and Rye (Las Vegas, NV)
• Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company (Miami, FL)
• The NoMad Bar (New York, NY)
• Williams & Graham (Denver, CO)

American Bartender of the Year

• Jeff Bell of PDT (New York, NY)
• John Lermayer of Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company (Miami, FL)
• Kevin Diedrich of Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco, CA)
• Yael Vengroff of The Spare Room (Los Angeles, CA)

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Anne Louise Marquis (Campari USA)
• Lynn House (Heaven Hill)
• Misty Kalkofen (Del Maguey)
• Robin Nance (Auchentoshan)

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Anvil Bar and Refuge (Houston, TX)
• Attaboy (New York, NY)
• Columbia Room (Washington, DC)
• Trick Dog (San Francisco, CA)

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Harvard & Stone (Los Angeles, CA)
• Honeycut (Los Angeles, CA)
• Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Company (Miami, FL)
• The NoMad Bar (New York, NY)

Best American Hotel Bar

• Compère Lapin at Old No. 44 Hotel (New Orleans, LA)
• Proof on Main at 21c Museum Hotel (Louisville, KY)
• The Hawthorne at The Commonwealth Hotel (Boston, MA)
• The Spare Room at The Roosevelt Hotel (Los Angeles, CA)

Best American Restaurant Bar

• Cane & Table (New Orleans, LA)
• Dante NYC (New York, NY)
• Gramercy Tavern (New York, NY)
• Spoon and Stable (Minneapolis, MN)

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Bar Clacson (Los Angeles, CA)
• BlackTail (New York, NY)
• Jupiter Disco (Brooklyn, NY)
• Wildhawk (San Francisco, CA)

INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES

Best International Bar Team

• Black Pearl (Melbourne, Australia)
• Dandelyan (London, UK)
• Lost + Found Drinkery (Nicosia, Cyprus)
• The Connaught Bar (London, UK)

International Bartender of the Year

• Erik Lorincz of The American Bar (London, UK)
• Iain Griffiths of Dandelyan (London, UK)
• Nico de Soto of Danico (Paris, France)
• Shingo Gokan of Speak Low (Shanghai, China)

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Camille Ralph Vidal (St-Germain)
• Ian Burrell (Rum Ambassador)
• Joe McCanta (Grey Goose)
• Raj Nagra (Bombay Gins)

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Black Pearl (Melbourne, Australia)
• Bramble (Edinburgh, UK)
• Le Syndicat (Paris, France)
• Little Red Door (Paris, France)

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Oriole (London, UK)
• Panda & Sons (Edinburgh, Scotland)
• The Baxter Inn (Sydney, Australia)
• Trailer Happiness (London, UK)

Best International Hotel Bar

• Dandelyan at The Mondrian (London, UK)
• Manhattan Bar at The Regent Singapore (Singapore)
• Punch Room at The Edition (London, UK)
• The American Bar at The Savoy (London, UK)

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Le Mary Celeste (Paris, France)
• Sager + Wilde (London, UK)
• The Blind Pig (London, UK)
• Tippling Club (Singapore)

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• ATLAS (Singapore)
• Danico (Paris, France)
• Swift (London, UK)
• Three Sheets (London, UK)

WRITING CATEGORIES

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• Class Magazine
• Difford’s Guide (diffordsguide.com)
• Hot Rum Cow
• The Daily Beast Drink + Food

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer

• Alyson Sheppard
• Kara Newman
• Robert Simonson
• Wayne Curtis

Best New Cocktail & Bartending Book

• A Proper Drink by Robert Simonson
• Regarding Cocktails by Sasha Petraske with Georgette Moger-Petraske
• Shake.Stir.Sip. by Kara Newman
• Smuggler’s Cove: Exotic Cocktails, Rum, and the Cult of Tiki by Martin & Rebecca Cate

Best New Spirits Book

• Amaro by Brad Thomas Parsons
• Bourbon: The Rise, Fall and Rebirth of An American Whiskey by Fred Minnick
• Colonial Spirits: A Toast to our Drunken History by Steven Grasse
• Whiskey: A Spirited Story with 75 Classic and Original Cocktails by Michael Dietsch

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

Best Bar Mentor

• David Wondrich
• Don Lee
• Ivy Mix & Lynnette Marrero
• Paul McGee

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Ancho Reyes Verde (Mexico)
• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal PUEBLA, San Pablo Ameyaltepec Wild Papalote (Mexico)
• ITALICUS – Rosolio di Bergamotto (Italy)
• Plantation O.F.T.D. (France)

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Beaufort Bar (London, UK)
• BlackTail (New York, United States)
• The Dead Rabbit (New York, United States)
• Trick Dog (San Francisco, United States)

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• ATLAS (Singapore)
• canon: whiskey and bitters emporium (Seattle, WA)
• Old Lightning (Los Angeles, United States)
• The Office (Chicago, United States)