Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has announced the winners of the 17th annual Spirited Awards® at the Tales of the Cocktail® conference in New Orleans on July 27, 2023. Here is the full list of the Spirited Awards 2023 winners.
Spirited Awards 2023: Desmond Payne MBE – Photo Credit: Cory Fontenot
Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards® have become one of the industry’s most revered awards, recognising beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale.
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. 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.
Spirited Awards 2023 Winners:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year
Giorgio Bargiani — Connaught Bar, London, UK
Best International Bar Mentor
Agostino Perrone
Best International Brand Ambassador
Nicola Riske — The Macallan
Best International Bar Team
ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena, Colombia
Best International Cocktail Bar
SIPS — Barcelona, Spain
Best International Hotel Bar
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
Best International Restaurant Bar
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
Christine Wiseman — Marygold’s Brasserie / Broken Shaker, Miami, FL
Best U.S. Bar Mentor
Chris Patino
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
Best U.S. Bar Team
Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka
Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
Best U.S. Hotel Bar
Hey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, OR
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Café La Trova — Miami, FL
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
Martiny’s — New York, NY
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Punch
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
The Speakeasy Podcast
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
“The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
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
Martini & Rossi Floreale Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Desmond Payne MBE
Timeless International Award
Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Singapore — Singapore
Timeless U.S. Award
Tiki-Ti — Los Angeles, CA
Tales Visionary Award
Tiffanie Barriere
World’s Best Bar
SIPS – Barcelona, Spain
You can view last year’s winners here.
