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Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards® has become one of the industry’s most sought-after awards, recognizing beverage professionals, products, establishments, journalists, and media across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale. 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.
The Spirited Awards® are composed of industry accolades, both U.S. and International, writing and media awards, and a few highly coveted, overall awards that transcend regionality including World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu.
2022 Spirited Awards Dates & Deadlines
February 15, 2022 - Nomination Period OPEN
March 8, 2022 - Nomination Period CLOSED
May 5, 2022 - Regional Top 10 Honorees Announced
June 2, 2022 - Top 10 Nominees Announced
June 21, 2022 - Top 4 Finalists Announced | Playbill Live
July 28, 2022 - 16th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony & Viewing Party
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16th Annual Spirited Awards Viewing Party
Thursday, July 28th | 5:00 PM CST
Lafayette East, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans
Attend the 16th Annual Spirited Awards celebration at the Viewing Party! Join our special guest host on the Red Carpet and intermix with Spirited Awards Ceremony guests. This is a one-of-a-kind experience to watch the 16th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony “back-stage”, while the 2022 Finalists become winners in the Grand Ballroom!
*Spirited Awards Ceremony tickets are reserved for Top 4 Finalists and their guests, and Spirited Awards Sponsors.*
Purchase Viewing Party Tickets HereNomination Process
The 2022 Spirited Awards Nomination period is closed.
Categories open for public nomination are NOT based on the volume of nominations submitted. It only takes ONE nomination to be considered for an award, self-nominations accepted. Please read through the FAQs as well as the Categories & Regional Breakdown before starting a nomination form.
In 2022, the Spirited Awards nomination process returned to recognizing the previously accredited categories such as the ‘establishments,’ ‘people,’ ‘books,’ and ‘writing and media’ categories. In addition, the Timeless Awards accepted public nominations. Taking into consideration COVID-19’s impact on the industry over the past two years, the Spirited Awards Committee has decided to retire the “High Volume” awards. In addition, the “Philanthropy” award has also been retired.
Awards Categories & Regional Breakdown
International/U.S. Award Categories
Spirited Awards® for the drinks industry in which International and U.S. bars, teams, and individuals are recognized.
Disclaimer: Any person or establishment that has previously won a Spirited Award is not eligible for nomination in the category for which it won.
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(International/U.S.) Bartender of the Year
Best (International/U.S.) Bar Mentor
Best (International/U.S.) Brand Ambassador
Best (International/U.S.) Bar Team
Best (International/U.S.) Cocktail Bar
Best (International/U.S.) Hotel Bar
Best (International/U.S.) Restaurant Bar
Best New (International/U.S.) Cocktail Bar
Timeless (International/U.S.) Award
Global Categories
Pioneer Award
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Writing & Media Categories
UPDATED eligibility criteria around repeat winners:
- *NEW* “Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication” & “Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series”: Winners are limited to no more than one (1) award every five (5) years.
- *NEW* “Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing”: The writer of the winning piece is limited to no more than one (1) award every five (5) years.
- This does not impact future nominations with the same publisher.
- “Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book” & “Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits”: An author may not win the same category two (2) years in a row and is limited to no more than two (2) awards in the same category within five (5) years.
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
Additional Industry Awards
The following awards are NOT available for public nomination
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Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
World’s Best Bar
Regional Breakdown
Each year, the Spirited Awards® judges also break down regional recognitions for these categories. Please find the breakdown of each region below:
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International Regions - Asia & Pacific (APAC)
International Regions - Canada
International Regions - Europe
International Regions - Latin America & Caribbean
International Regions - Middle East & Africa
US Regions - United States - Central
US Regions - United States - East
US Regions - United States - West
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is pleased to share that Forbes is returning as the official media partner for the 2022 Spirited Awards and currently partners with the organization on editorial exploration of the interactive Spirited Awards Directory, as well as key themes and industry trends for the year.
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.


Spirited Awards Committee
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards® Committee, including Co-Chairs, Regional Committee Members, and Writing & Media Judges, is composed of respected bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers from across the globe. Drawing on their years of experience and their knowledge of the current work being done locally, nationally, and internationally, together the Co-Chairs and Judges can evaluate nominees from far and wide to ensure that the Spirited Awards are inclusive and represent the breadth and diversity of the global drinks industry.
This Committee is dedicated to valuing the inclusion of the communities we serve by enlisting a judging panel that reflects their incredible diversity in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality.