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The 16th Annual Spirited Awards celebrates global excellence in the drinks industry and recognizes professionals, organizations, and establishments shaping the cocktail community.

NEW ORLEANS, LA (June 2, 2022) — 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, SpainLorenzo Antinori — ARGO / Four Seasons Hotel & Resorts, Hong Kong, ChinaGiorgio Bargiani — The Connaught Bar, London, UKKate Boushel — Atwater Cocktail Club / Milky Way Cocktail Bar, Montréal, Québec, CanadaJames Grant — Little HK, Edmonton, CanadaKeith Motsi — Charles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel, Seoul, South KoreaRémy Savage — A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UKDaniel Schofield — SCHOFIELD’S BAR, Manchester, UKEzra Star — Mostly Harmless, Hong Kong, ChinaLuke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, AustraliaMatt Whiley — RE, Sydney, Australia

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

Monica BergArijit BoseSimone CaporaleRenato “Tato” GiovannoniTim Etherington JudgeTrevor KalliesDre MassoLauren MoteDanil NevskyAgostino PerroneChristina VeiraCamille Vidal

*Includes 12 nominees due to a tie

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

Jenna Ba — DiageoClaudia Cabrera — Fratelli BrancaIrene Díaz — Ron DiplomáticoMartin Hudák — Mr Black SpiritsDaniyel Jones — House of AngosturaAlly Martin — Hendrick’s GinDave Mitton — Lot No. 40 / J.P. Wiser’s Ricardo Nava — Bacardí Latin AmericaTim Phillips-Johansson — Johnnie WalkerNicola Riske — The Macallan

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura

ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, ColombiaAtwater Cocktail Club — Montréal, Québec, CanadaJigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — SingaporeLa Factoría — San Juan, Puerto RicoMAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, AustraliaSalmon Guru — Madrid, SpainTayēr + Elementary — London, UKThe Clumsies — Athens, GreeceTres Monos — Buenos Aires, ArgentinaTwo Schmucks — Barcelona, Spain

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza

ALQUIMICO — Cartagena, ColombiaAtwater Cocktail Club — Montréal, Québec, CanadaCause Effect Cocktail Kitchen & Cape Brandy Bar — Cape Town, South AfricaCOA — Hong Kong, ChinaFlorería Atlántico — Buenos Aires, ArgentinaMAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, AustraliaParadiso — Barcelona, SpainSalmon Guru — Madrid, SpainSatan’s Whiskers — London, UKTayēr + Elementary — London, UKThree Sheets — London, UKTwo 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, MalaysiaBotanist at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel — Vancouver, BC, CanadaBulgari Bar at The Bvlgari Resort — Dubai, UAECharles H. Seoul at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South KoreaFifty Mils at the Four Seasons Hotel — Mexico City, MexicoJigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — SingaporeLyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UKMO BAR at the Mandarin Oriental — SingaporeOrigin Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel — SingaporeThe American Bar at The Stafford London — London, UKThe 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, CanadaCaffe Fernet — SingaporeDanico — Paris, FranceLe Mary Celeste — Paris, FranceLocale Firenze — Florence, ItalyLPM Restaurant & Bar — Dubai, UAEPujol — Mexico City, MexicoSexy Fish — London, UKThe Continental Deli — Newtown, AustraliaTjoget — Stockholm, SwedenZuma 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, UKAmaro Bar — London, UKARGO — Hong Kong, ChinaDead End Paradise — Beirut, LebanonDEAN & NANCY — Sydney, AustraliaRE — Sydney, AustraliaSchofield’s Bar — Manchester, UKSide Hustle at the NoMad — London, UKSIPS — Barcelona, SpainWax On — Berlin, Germany

U.S. CATEGORIES

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

Josh Davis — 16th Street Bar, Chicago, ILChris Elford — Trade Winds Tavern, Navy Strength, Rob Roy, Here Today Brewing, Seattle, WAChris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LACaer Maiko Ferguson — DrinkWell, Austin, TXChris McMillian — Revel Bar & Cafe, New Orleans, LAShauna O’Neil — Sweet Liberty, Miami, FLKapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, DCChristian Suzuki-Orellana — Wildhawk, San Francisco, CAMasahiro “Masa” Urushido — Katana Kitten, New York, NYChristine Wiseman — BarLab Hospitality Group, Miami, FL

Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts

Colin Asare-AppiahJulio CabreraKevin DiedrichMeaghan DormanAlba HuertaAlex JumpSean Kenyonms franky marshallNectaly MendozaJeffrey Morgenthaler

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey Glass

Kiowa Bryan — SpiribamChris Cabrera — Bacardí USATad Carducci — Gruppo MontenegroCameron George — ArdbegVance Henderson — Hendrick’s GinLynn House — Heaven HillJenna Murray — The GlenlivetNatasha Sofia Velez — Davos BrandsRyan Wainwright — Bombay SapphireDaniel Warrilow — Campari America

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

Attaboy — New York, NYCleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NVHalf Step — Austin, TXJaguar Sun — Miami, FLJewel of the South — New Orleans, LAKatana Kitten — New York, NYThe Long Island Bar — Brooklyn, NYThe Roosevelt Room — Austin, TXThe Snug — Sacramento, CAThunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka

Bar Goto — New York, NYBeachbum Berry’s Latitude 29 — New Orleans, LABitter & Twisted Cocktail Parlour — Phoenix, AZDrinkWell — Austin, TXJulep — Houston, TXKatana Kitten — New York, NYOccidental — Denver, COPearl Diver — Nashville, TNThe Roosevelt Room — Austin, TXThunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA

Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose

Bar Marilou at Maison de la Luz — New Orleans, LAChampagne Bar at The Surf Club Miami — Miami, FLDear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NYHey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, ORKing Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York — New York, NYLibertine Social at the Mandalay Bay — Las Vegas, NVLittle Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZMidnight Rambler at the Joule — Dallas, TXMountaineering Club at the Graduate Seattle Hotel — Seattle, WASilver Lyan at the Riggs Washington DC — Washington, DC

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand

Café La Trova — Miami, FLCleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NVCrown Shy — New York, NYGramercy Tavern — New York, NYJewel of the South — New Orleans, LAKimball House — Decatur, GAKumiko — Chicago, ILL’Oursin — Seattle, WARepublique — Los Angeles, CASpoon and Stable — Minneapolis, MN

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

Double Chicken Please — New York, NYHappy Accidents — Albuquerque, NMKona’s Street Market — San Francisco, CALaw Bird — Columbus, OHOverstory — New York, NYPalmetto — Oakland, CATemple Bar — New York, NYTiki Tatsu-Ya — Austin, TXTrade Winds Tavern — Seattle, WAYacht Club — Denver, CO

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy

CLASS magazineDifford’s GuideDiscard the ZineDRiNK Magazine AsiaDrinks InternationalLiquor.comThe Cocktail Lovers magazineThe Spirits BusinessVinePair 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 DevineEl Club de los Cantineros (Documentary)FreepourHappy Hour History“Hospitality Forward” Podcast by Hanna Lee CommunicationsRadio ImbibeShōshin Art Club The Cocktail Lovers PodcastThe 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’NeillCOCKTAIL 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 KaplanDifford’s Guide to Cocktails Sixteenth Edition by Simon DiffordMezcal and Tequila Cocktails by Robert SimonsonThe Cocktail Seminars by Brian D. HoeflingThe Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael AnstendigThe Way of the Cocktail: Japanese Traditions, Techniques, and Recipes by Julia Momosé with Emma JanzenTokyo Cocktails by Nicholas ColdicottZero 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 FarrellBourbon: The Story of Kentucky Whiskey by Clay RisenDrunk: How We Sipped, Danced, and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization by Edward SlingerlandGirly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol by Mallory O’MearaL’Ora dell’Americano by Mauro Mahjoub & Lucio TucciSomething & Tonic by Nick KokonasThe Big Book of Amaro by Matteo ZedThe New Kindred Spirits by F. Paul PacultThe Oxford Companion to Spirits and Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah RothbaumThe Spirit of Rye by Carlo DeVito

GLOBAL CATEGORIES

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

Abasolo Ancestral Corn WhiskyANGOSTURA® cocoa bittersCitadelle Gin Jardin d’étéDel Maguey Single Village Mezcal Vida de MuertosEquiano Light RumFever-Tree Sparkling Lime & Yuzu Fever-Tree Sparkling Pink Grapefruit Hendrick’s Lunar GinLyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange Nixta Licor de EloteLost IrishOjo de Tigre Mezcal ArtesanalSAVOIA Americano

*Includes 13 nominees due to a tie

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy

ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena de Indias, ColombiaDante NYC — New York, NYHimkok — Oslo, NorwayLittle Red Door — Paris, FranceLyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UKMace Bar — New York, NYParadiso — Barcelona, SpainScarfes Bar at the Rosewood London — London, UKSwift Soho — London, UKTayēr + Elementary — London, UK

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory

ATLA — New York, NYBrandy Library — New York, NYIn-Situ Mezcaleria — Oaxaca City, MexicoJack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, DCOrigin Bar at The Shangri-La Hotel — SingaporeRumba — Seattle, WASexy Fish — London, UKSwift Soho — London, UKThe Bamboo Room at Three Dots and a Dash — Chicago, ILThe Doctor’s Office — Seattle, WA

The Spirited Awards Chairs and Co-Chairs

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

Spirited Awards Overall ChairCharlotte VoiseySpirited Awards International ChairJacob BriarsAsia Pacific Co-ChairsLorenzo AntinoriPankaj BalachandranHayley MorisonCharmaine ThioCanada Co-ChairsEvelyn ChickSabrine DhaliwalEurope Co-ChairsGuiseppe GalloNicola RiskeLatin America & Caribbean Co-ChairsCamille AustinJean TrinhTato GiovanniniMiddle East & Africa Co-ChairsCassandra EichhoffRichard IrwinU.S. Central Co-ChairsBridget AlbertSteva CaseyU.S. East Co-ChairsLaura CullenAndy SeymourU.S. West Co-ChairsKiowa BryanMary PalacWriting & Media Co-ChairsFrançois MontiPaul ClarkeMatthew RowleySandrae LawrenceTimeless Co-ChairChristine SismondoColin Asare-Appiah

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

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

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

Spirited Awards® 2022 + Directory

Keeping up with the original 2022 schedule the Top 4 Finalists will be named on June 21, 2022, and the Winners will be celebrated on July 28, 2022 at the Spirited Awards® ceremony. 

Helen David Lifetime Achievement presented by William Grant & SonsPioneer Award presented by The BlendTimeless U.S Award presented by Johnnie WalkerTimeless International Award presented by JägermeisterWorld’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation

Tales of the Cocktail is thrilled to share the Spirited Awards® Directory in partnership with marquee sponsor Diageo Bar Academy with support from Angostura, Bacardi Limited, CAMPARI, Elijah Craig, Hendricks Gin, Tequila Fortaleza, and The Blend. Giving discerning imbibers a comprehensive compendium of all 900+ Spirited Awards winners and nominees from the past 15 years, the Directory is an interactive, global map created to easily guide guests to officially recognized Spirited Awards establishments.

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

A Note on Sponsors

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards sponsors. Title Partners: Diageo Bar Academy, Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic, Pernod Ricard (Absolut Vodka, BarSmarts, and Del Maguey); Presenting Partners: Bacardi (Grey Goose and Patron), Beam Suntory and The Blend, William Grant & Sons; Supporting Partners: Aviation Gin, House of Angostura, Jägermeister, Johnnie Walker, Libbey Glass, Maison Ferrand, Perrier, Stranger & Sons, Tequila Fortaleza; Official Barware: Bull in China; Official Champagne: G.H. Mumm. Tales of the Cocktail 2022 Official Partners include Official Glassware: Libbey Glass, Official Water: Perrier, and Official Water: Perrier.

Spirited Awards® 2022 Updates

In light of recent global events with the Russian government’s invasion of Ukraine, and the humanitarian crisis that is ongoing in Ukraine and in Europe, the Spirited Awards Committee and Tales of the Cocktail Foundation Board will not consider nominees from Russia for this year’s awards. Similarly, the Spirited Awards currently has two sitting judges from Russia, both of whom mutually agreed to abstain from judging this year.

The Foundation stands in solidarity with colleagues and friends in the hospitality industry in Ukraine and to all citizens impacted by this catastrophic invasion. And, the organization acknowledges industry colleagues in Russia who do not support this war, but also have very limited ways to protest without risking their own personal safety. In the weeks and months to come, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation will announce further efforts to directly support the hospitality community of Ukraine.

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

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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 a 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. 

About Forbes:

Forbes champions success by celebrating those who have made it, and those who aspire to make it. Forbes convenes and curates the most influential leaders and entrepreneurs who are driving change, transforming business and making a significant impact on the world. The Forbes brand today reaches more than 150 million people worldwide through its trusted journalism, signature LIVE and Forbes Virtual events, custom marketing programs and 44 licensed local editions in 77 countries. Forbes Media’s brand extensions include real estate, education and financial services license agreements.

Media Inquiries: 

Foxglove Communications

Gia Vecchio, [email protected], 917.280.5043

Hunter Smith, [email protected], 803.397.8878 

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