Spirited Awards

The "Spirited Awards"® are the global awards presented at Tales of the Cocktail each year to celebrate the bars, bartenders, authors, and individuals who have made a significant contribution to the industry.

2020 Award Winners

American Categories

Best American Bar Mentor

• Don Lee

American Bartender of the Year

• Kevin Diedrich – Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Robin Nance, Beam Suntory

Best American Bar Team

• Café La Trova – Miami, FL

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Pacific Cocktail Haven – San Francisco, CA

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• ABV – San Francisco, CA

Best American Hotel Bar

• The Spare Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Restaurant Bar

• The Silver Dollar – Louisville, KY

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Silver Lyan – Washington, D.C.

International Categories

Best International Bar Mentor

• Alex Kratena

International Bartender of the Year

• Kelsey Ramage – Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Camille Austin, Casa Lumbre Spirits

Best International Bar Team

• The Connaught Bar – London, UK

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Native – Singapore

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

Best International Hotel Bar

• Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood London – London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Sober Company – Shanghai, China

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Kwānt – London, UK

Global Categories

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• ATLAS Bar – Singapore

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• Amaro Y Amargo – New York, NY

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Tequila Fortaleza Winter Blend 2019

Writing & Media Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• Half Full

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing

• “JaNee: Where is She Now”, by Aaron Goldfarb for PUNCH

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

• The Martini Cocktail: A Meditation on the World’s Greatest Drink, with Recipes by Robert Simonson

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits

• Last Call: Bartenders on Their Final Drink and the Wisdom and Rituals of Closing Time by Brad Thomas Parsons

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series

• WhiskyCast

Additional Industry Awards

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Audrey Saunders

Pioneer Award

• Shannon Mustipher

Philanthropy Recognitions

• Hope & Sesame — Guangzhou, China
• Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation — New York, NY
• COVID19 Employee Assistance Directive — Melbourne, Australia

Timeless American

• Angel's Share – New York, NY

Timeless International

• Boadas Cocktails – Barcelona, Spain

2019 Award Winners

American Categories

American Bartender of the Year

• Julio Cabrera – Cafe La Trova, Miami, FL

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Tim Cooper, Fords Gin

Best American Bar Team

• Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Attaboy – New York, NY

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Herbs and Rye – Las Vegas, NV

Best American Hotel Bar

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

Best American Restaurant Bar

• Dante – New York, NY

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Katana Kitten – New York, NY

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year

• Monica Berg – Tayer and Elementary, London, UK

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Joe McCanta, Grey Goose

Best International Bar Team

• Licorería Limantour – Mexico City, Mexico

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Atlas Bar – Singapore

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Schumann’s Bar – Munich, Germany

Best International Hotel Bar

• Manhattan at Regent Singapore – Singapore

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Hawksmoor Spitalfields – London, UK

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• MAYBE SAMMY – Sydney, Australia

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor

• Ivy Mix and Lynnette Marrero

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Fords Gin Officers’ Reserve

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• Atlas Bar – Singapore

Writing and Media Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• SevenFifty Daily

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer

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

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

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

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits

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

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series

• Bartender at Large

Additional Industry Awards

World’s Best Bar

• Dante – New York, NY

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Javier De Las Muelas

Philanthropy Award

• Speed Rack

Timeless American Award

• Napoleon House – New Orleans, LA

Timeless International Award

• El Floridita – Havana, Cuba

2018 Award Winners

World’s Best Bar

• The American Bar at The Savoy – London

Lifetime Achievement

• John Lermayer

American Categories

American Bartender of the Year

• Yael Vengroff, Spare Room – Los Angeles, CA

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America

Best American Bar Team

• Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Lost Lake – Chicago, IL

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• The NoMad Bar – New York City, NY

Best American Hotel Bar

• The Broken Shaker at The Freehand – Miami, FL

Best American Restaurant Bar

• Clyde Common – Portland, OR

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Navy Strength – Seattle, WA

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year

• Joe Schofield, Tippling Club – Singapore

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador

Best International Bar Team

• The American Bar at The Savoy – London

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Happiness Forgets – London

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• The Clumsies – Athens

Best International Hotel Bar

• The American Bar at The Savoy – London

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Sager & Wilde – London

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Coupette – London

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• The Daily Beast Half Full Section

Best Cocktail and Spirits Writer

• M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post and more

Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book

• Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits

• By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler

Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series

• Life Behind Bars

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor

• Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions, INC

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Dandelyan – London

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• Sweet Liberty – Miami, FL

2017 Award Winners

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 (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

2016 Award Winners

American Categories

Best American Bar Team

• ABV, San Francisco

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Colin Asare-Appiah, Bacardi

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Herbs & Rye, Las Vegas

Best American Restaurant Bar

• Saxon + Parole, New York

American Bartender of the Year

• Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Clyde Common, Portland

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco

Best American Hotel Bar

• The Elephant Bar at The NoMad, New York

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Sweet Liberty, Miami Beach

International Categories

Best International Bar Team

• The American Bar at the Savoy, London

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Max Warner, Chivas Regal

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Callooh Callay, London

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Hawksmoor Spitalfields, London

International Bartender of the Year

• Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five, Tokyo

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Happiness Forgets, London

Best International Hotel Bar

• The Connaught Bar at The Connaught, London

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Oriole, London

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• Cocktail Lovers

Best New Cocktail & Bartending Book

• The Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual: Secret Recipes and Barroom Tales from Two Belfast Boys Who Conquered the Cocktail World by Sean Muldoon, Jack McGarry and Ben Schaffer

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer

• Jeffrey Morgenthaler

Best New Spirits Book

• Divided Spirits - Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production by Sarah Bowen

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor

• Angus Winchester

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Dandelyan, London

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• The Connaught Bar at the Connaught, London

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Stiggins’ Fancy Plantation Pineapple

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• Tommy’s, San Francisco

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Sasha Petraske

2015 Award Winners

American Categories

Best American Bar Team

• Employees Only (New York)

American Bartender of the Year

• Ivy Mix (New York)

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Brooke Arthur (House Spirits)

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Williams & Graham (Denver)

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Employees Only (New York)

Best American Hotel Bar

• The Broken Shaker (Miami Beach)

Best American Restaurant Bar

• Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks (Boston)

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• ABV (San Francisco)

International Categories

Best International Bar Team

• 28 Hong Kong Street (Singapore)

International Bartender of the Year

• Ryan Chetiyawardana (London)

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Claire Smith-Warner (Belvedere Vodka)

Best International Cocktail Bar

• Artesian (London)

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• The Black Pearl & The Attic (Melbourne)

Best International Hotel Bar

• Beaufort Bar, The Savoy (London)

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Blind Pig at Social Eating House (London)

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Dandelyan (London)

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• PUNCH

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer

• Dave Broom

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold

Best New Spirits Book

• Whisky: The Manual by Dave Broom

Overall Categories

Best Bar Mentor

• Jim Meehan (Portland)

Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient

• Amaro di Angostura

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• The Dead Rabbit (New York)

World’s Best Spirits Selection

• Canon (Seattle)

World’s Best Bar

• The Dead Rabbit (New York)

Special Recognitions

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Jonathan Downey

Sam Guarino Citation

• Steve Mannan

2014 Award Winners

American Categories

American Bartender of the Year

• Sean Kenyon, Denver

Best American Bar Team

• Trick Dog, San Francisco

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Neyah White, Suntory Japanese Whiskies

Best American Cocktail Bar

• The Dead Rabbit, New York

Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Polite Provisions, San Diego

Best American Hotel Bar

• Clyde Common, Portland

Best American Restaurant Bar

• The NoMad Bar, New York

Best New American Cocktail Bar

• Three Dots and A Dash, Chicago

International Categories

International Bartender of the Year

• Simone Caporale, London

Best International Bar Team

• The Artesian at The Langham, London

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Giuseppe Gallo, Martini

Best International Cocktail Bar

• 28 Hong Kong Street, Singapore

Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Schumann’s Bar, Munich

Best International Hotel Bar

• Artesian at The Langham, London

Best International Restaurant Bar

• The Bon Vivant, Edinburgh

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• White Lyan, London

Writing Categories

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication

• Imbibe Magazine, United States

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer

• Paul Clarke, United States

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• Beachbum Berry’s Potions of the Caribbean by Jeff Berry

Global Categories

Best Bar Mentor

• Dushan Zaric

Best New Product

• Del Maguey Ibérico mezcal

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• The Aviary, Chicago

World’s Best Drinks Selection

• The Dead Rabbit, New York

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• The Artesian at The Langham, London

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Julio Bermejo, San Francisco

2013 Award Winners

American Bartender of the Year

• Charles Joly, The Aviary, Chicago, Illinois

International Bartender of the Year

• Jack McGarry, The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Todd Richman, Sidney Frank Portfolio

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Jacob Briars, Bacardi Portfolio

Best Bar Mentor

• Julie Reiner, Brooklyn, New York

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Clover Club, Brooklyn, New York

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• Drink, Boston, Massachusetts

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York

World’s Best Drink Selection

• canon: whiskey and bitters emporium, Seattle, Washington

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• The NoMad Hotel, New York, New York

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Clover Club, Brooklyn, New York

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• The Dead Rabbit, New York, New York

Best New Product

• Fords Gin

Best Restaurant Bar

• Saxon + Parole Restaurant, New York, New York

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

• Gary Regan

Best Cocktail Writing – Publication

• DiffordsGuide.com

Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending)

• Drinks by Tony Conigliaro

The Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Salvatore Calabrese

2012 Award Winners

American Bartender of the Year

• Joaquín Simó of New York, New York

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Jim Ryan of New York, New York

Best American Cocktail Bar

• The Varnish of Los Angeles, California

Best Bar Mentor

• Steve Olson of New York, New York

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

• David Wondrich of New York, New York for his writing on Liquor.com

Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book

• Liquor.com

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Eastern Standard of Boston, Massachusetts

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Angus Winchester of London, United Kingdom

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• PDT Cocktail Book by Jim Meehan & Chris Gall

Best New Product

• Cognac Pierre Ferrand 1840 Formula of Bonbonnet, France

Best Restaurant Bar

• Slanted Door of San Francisco, California

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Gary Regan

International Bartender of the Year

• Alex Kratena of London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• The Connaught Bar of London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Callooh Callay of London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Drinks Selection

• Salvatore’s at The Playboy of London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• Artesian at The Langham of London, United Kingdom

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• The Zetter Townhouse of London, United Kingdom

2011 Award Winners

American Bartender of the Year

• Kenta Goto & Sam Ross

Best Bar Mentor

• Audrey Saunders

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Jacques Bezuidenhout

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Drink, Boston, Massachusetts

Best Cocktail Writing – Author

• Camper English

Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book

• Imbibe

Best High Volume Cocktail Bar

• Rickhouse, San Francisco, California

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Dan Warner

Best New Cocktail /Bartending Book

• Punch by David Wondrich

Best New Product

• Bank’s 5 Island Rum

Best Restaurant Bar

• Eleven Madison Park, New York, New York

International Bartender of the Year

• Erik Lorincz

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• Employees Only, New York, New York

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Artesian at The Langham Hotel, London, United Kingdom

World’s Best Drinks Selection

• Employees Only, New York, New York

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• The Savoy, London, United Kingdom

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• Eau de Vie, Kirketon Hotel, Australia

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dick Bradsell

2010 Award Winners

American Bartender of the Year

• Murray Stenson

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Charlotte Voisey, William Grant & Sons Portfolio

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Death & Co., New York, New York

Best Bar Mentor

• Dale DeGroff

Best Cocktail Writing

• CLASS magazine

Best International Brand Ambassador

• John Gakurur, Sagatiba

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• “Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails” by Ted Haigh

Best New Product

• Celery Bitters, The Bitter Truth

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Brian Rea

International Bartender of the Year

• Agostino Perrone

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• The Cocktail Bar at The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, Ireland

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• Death & Co., New York, New York

World’s Best Drink Selection

• Bar Lebensstern in Cafe Einstein, Berlin, Germany

World’s Best Hotel Bar

• The Connaught Bar, the Connaught Hotel, London, United Kingdom

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• Mayahuel, New York, New York

2009 Award Winners

American Bartender of the Year

• Jim Meehan, PDT

Best American Brand Ambassador

• Simon Ford, Plymouth Gin and Pernod Ricard

Best American Cocktail Bar

• Pegu Club, New York, New York

Best Cocktail Writing

• David Wondrich

Best Hotel Bar

• The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, Ireland

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• “The Essential Cocktail” by Dale DeGroff

Best New Product

• Bols Genever

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Peter Dorelli

International Bartender of the Year

• Tony Conigliaro

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• PDT, New York, New York

World’s Best Cocktail Menu

• The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, Ireland

World’s Best Drinks Selection

• The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, Ireland

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• Clover Club, Brooklyn, New York

2008 Award Winners

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• Milk & Honey, New York, New York

World’s Best New Cocktail Bar

• Le Lion – Bar de Paris, Hamburg, Germany

Mixologist/Bartender of the Year

• Nick Strangeway, Hawksmoor, London, United Kingdom

Best Drinks Brand Representative/Brand Ambassador

• Xavier Padovani, Hendrick’s Gin

Best Classic Cocktail Bar

• Milk & Honey, New York, New York

Best New Product

• Fever Tree Mixers

Best Drinks Selection

• Salvatore at Fifty, London, United Kingdom

Best Cocktail Menu

• 1806 Bar in Melbourne, Australia

Best Cocktail Writing

• Gary Regan, San Francisco Chronicle

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• “Imbibe” by David Wondrich

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award

• Dale DeGroff, King Cocktail

2007 Award Winners

World’s Best Cocktail Bar

• Pegu Club, New York, New York

Best Classic Cocktail Bar

• Zig Zag Cafe, Seattle, Washington

Mixologist/Bartender of the Year

• Audrey Saunders, Pegu Club, New York, New York

Best Drinks Brand Representatives/Brand Ambassador

• Simon Ford, Plymouth Gin

Best New Cocktail Bar

• Bourbon & Branch, San Francisco, California

Best New Product

• St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur

Best Drinks Selection

• Zig Zag Cafe, Seattle, Washington

Best Cocktail Menu

• Papparazzi, Bratislava, Slovakia

Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book

• “The Art of the Bar: Cocktails Inspired by the Classics,” by Jeff Hollinger and Rob Schwartz of Absinthe

External Links

Official Archive of Past Award Winners