Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Winners of the 17th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards® have become one of the industry’s most revered 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 honored recipients during the Spirited Awards Ceremony which took place at the Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) conference in New Orleans on July 27, 2023.
The Spirited Awards are comprised of domestic and international industry accolades, writing and media awards, and overall awards that transcend regionality, including World’s Best Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu. Today, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is proud to announce the Winners of each International, U.S., and Global category. The evening’s award recipients were carefully considered by a panel of over 250 industry experts, led by Charlotte Voisey, the Spirited Awards Overall Chair.
“Congratulations to all of the Spirited Awards 2023 Winners! I am delighted to see even more patches of magic and corners of excellence shining brightly at the Spirited Awards this year,” said Overall Chair, Charlotte Voisey. “Thank you to everyone involved in pulling together such a meaningful celebration.”
Recognized through the lens of the 2023 conference theme, “Vitalize” – winners were chosen who encapsulate the hospitality community’s vibrancy and adaptability, as well as its unmatched kinetic energy that brings so much life to our shared experience. The winners of this year’s Spirited Awards have made an indelible contribution to invigorating and elevating the collective cocktail community.
2023 Spirited Awards® Winners:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year presented by The Busker
- Giorgio Bargiani — Connaught Bar, London, UK
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Agostino Perrone
Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Nicola Riske — The Macallan
Best International Bar Team presented by Angostura Caribbean Rum
- ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patrón Tequila
- SIPS — Barcelona, Spain
Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier
- Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Analogue Initiative — Singapore
Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Line Athens — Athens, Greece
U.S. CATEGORIES
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard USA
- Christine Wiseman — Marygold’s Brasserie / Broken Shaker, Miami, FL
Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented BarSmarts
- Chris Patino
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented Libbey
- Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
- Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka
- Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose
- Hey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, OR
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo
- Café La Trova — Miami, FL
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Martiny’s — New York, NY
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Punch
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- The Speakeasy Podcast
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- “The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
GLOBAL CATEGORIES
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic
- Martini & Rossi Floreale Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy
- Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
- Desmond Payne MBE
Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Singapore — Singapore
Timeless U.S. Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- Tiki-Ti — Los Angeles, CA
Tales Visionary Award Presented by Johnnie Walker
- Tiffanie Barriere
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
- SIPS – Barcelona, Spain
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