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
American Bartender of the Year
- Kevin Diedrich – Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
Best American Brand Ambassador
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
International Bartender of the Year
- Kelsey Ramage – Supernova Ballroom, Toronto, Canada
Best International Brand Ambassador
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
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
Additional Industry Awards
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Pioneer Award
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
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
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
Additional Industry Awards
World’s Best Bar
- Dante – New York, NY
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Philanthropy Award
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
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
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits
Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
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
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
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
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
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
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
World’s Best Cocktail Bar
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
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
Best New Spirits Book
- Divided Spirits - Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production by Sarah Bowen
Global Categories
Best Bar Mentor
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
World’s Best Spirits Selection
- Tommy’s, San Francisco
Lifetime Achievement Award
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
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
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
Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
- Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold
Best New Spirits Book
Overall Categories
Best Bar Mentor
- Jim Meehan (Portland)
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
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
Sam Guarino Citation
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
Global Categories
Best Bar Mentor
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
Best Restaurant Bar
- Saxon + Parole Restaurant, New York, New York
Best Cocktail Writing – Author
Best Cocktail Writing – Publication
Best New Book (Cocktail/Bartending)
The Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
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
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
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
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
Best Bar Mentor
Best American Brand Ambassador
Best American Cocktail Bar
- Drink, Boston, Massachusetts
Best Cocktail Writing – Author
Best Cocktail Writing – Non Book
Best High Volume Cocktail Bar
- Rickhouse, San Francisco, California
Best International Brand Ambassador
Best New Cocktail /Bartending Book
Best New Product
- Bank’s 5 Island Rum
Best Restaurant Bar
- Eleven Madison Park, New York, New York
International Bartender of the Year
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
2010 Award Winners
American Bartender of the Year
Best American Brand Ambassador
- Charlotte Voisey, William Grant & Sons Portfolio
Best American Cocktail Bar
- Death & Co., New York, New York
Best Bar Mentor
Best Cocktail Writing
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
International Bartender of the Year
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
Best American Brand Ambassador
Best American Cocktail Bar
- Pegu Club, New York, New York
Best Cocktail Writing
Best Hotel Bar
- The Merchant Hotel, Belfast, Ireland
Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
- “The Essential Cocktail” by Dale DeGroff
Best New Product
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
International Bartender of the Year
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
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
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
