Celebrated during Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, the 20th Annual Spirited Awards honor excellence in the drink industry and recognize professionals, organizations, and establishments shaping the hospitality community.
NEW ORLEANS, LA (July 24, 2026) – Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the winners of the 20th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards have grown into one of the industry’s most respected honors, celebrating excellence among beverage professionals, products, and establishments across all corners of the global spirits and cocktail community. In partnership with Food & Wine, the official media partner of the Spirited Awards, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) recognized this year’s recipients during the Spirited Awards Ceremony, which took place at the Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans on July 23, 2026.
The Spirited Awards spotlight a broad range of talent, spanning domestic and international categories, writing and media awards, and global recognitions that transcend regional boundaries — including prestigious titles such as Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award and World’s Best Bar. Today, Tales of the Cocktail Foundation proudly announces the winners across International, U.S., and Global categories. Each recipient was carefully selected by a panel of over 250 industry experts, led by Tiffanie Barriere and Ryan Chetiyawardana, the U.S. & International Spirited Awards Chairs.
“We are thrilled to celebrate the winners of the 2026 Spirited Awards,” said Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “On the 20th Anniversary of Spirited Awards, it is remarkable to look back and see not only how far our industry has come, but to celebrate the bars, bartenders, writers, and industry icons who have shaped the modern resurgence of cocktail culture globally over the past twenty years. The 2026 list of winners reflects the very combination of evolution and excellence that makes this such an inspiring industry to be a part of. Congratulations to all who have been recognized and a special thank you to our worldwide committee of judges who work to ensure these awards remain so profoundly significant.”
In alignment with the 2026 conference theme, “Spark,” this year’s winners embody the ideas, passion, and creativity that ignite progress across the global drinks industry. Their achievements reflect the power of a community that comes together to inspire, collaborate, and elevate one another, creating the momentum that continues to shape the future of cocktails and hospitality.
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
Yayo Nava — Bar Mauro, Mexico City, Mexico
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Helmsman Imports
Indra Kantono
Best International Brand Ambassador
Jesse Estes — Tequila Ocho
Best International Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
Best International Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
Best International Hotel Bar
ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
Best International Restaurant Bar
FURA — Singapore
Best New International Cocktail Bar
De Vie — Paris, France
U.S. CATEGORIES:
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s/ L’Americana/ Midnight Blue, New York, NY
Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by Helmsman Imports
Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskies
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
Bar Snack — New York, NY
Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by PATRÓN, 100% Mystery Ingredient- Free Tequila
ViceVersa at the Elser Hotel — Miami, FL
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Cobra — Columbus, OH
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Cutwater
schmuck. — New York, NY
GLOBAL CATEGORIES:
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
FURA – Singapore
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co.
Allegory at the Eaton Hotel
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Tlecān — Mexico City, Mexico
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Helmsman Imports
Bruichladdich The Laddie Rye 7 Year
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
David Wondrich
Tales Visionary Award presented by Château Sainte Marguerite
Jean Trinh
Timeless International Award presented by Explore Louisiana
The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental — Bangkok, Thailand
Timeless U.S. Award presented by Explore Louisiana
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge — Milwaukee, WI
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES:
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Imbibe
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
Amour Drink
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
“Thinking Differently: Neurodivergent Bartenders Thrive Behind the Stick,” by Rich Manning for VinePair
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean by Irene Yoo
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
The Comic Book History of the Cocktail by David Wondrich and illustrated by Dean Kotz
2026 Spirited Awards Committee
The Spirited Awards® Committee comprises revered bartenders, bar owners, educators, and writers who are entrusted with evaluating nominees based on structured criteria. The experienced and diverse committee of judges brings years of expertise and knowledge of industry developments locally, nationally, and internationally. The Spirited Awards® nominations are not based on popular vote, and all nominations are evaluated by their respective judging committees, ensuring each vote carries equal weight in the evaluation process.
Honorees were selected by a panel of over 250 industry experts, led by the following Chair and Co-Chairs representing distinct regions:
International Chair & U.S. Chair:
Tiffanie Barriere
Ryan Chetiyawardana
Asia Pacific Co-Chairs:
Philip Bischoff
Alice Newport
Shelley Tai
Stephanie Wijono
Canada Co-Chairs:
Kaitlyn Stewart
Julia Wolkowski
Europe Co-Chairs:
Camille Vidal
Kaitlin Wilkes
Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs:
Roberto Berdecia
Claudia Cabrera
Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs:
Richie Barrow
Mallory Lee
Lara Rawa
U.S. Central Co-Chairs:
Amanda Carto
Erika Flowers
U.S. East Co-Chairs:
Vance Henderson
Jaymee Mandeville
U.S. West Co-Chairs:
Nick Amano Dolan
Mary Allison Wright
Writing & Media Co-Chairs:
Alia Akkam
Erick Castro
Books Chair:
Anna Sulan Masing
Timeless Co-Chairs:
François Monti
Rebecca Sturt
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® 2026 Partners
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards® sponsors: Food & Wine, Explore Louisiana, Brown-Forman, Pernod Ricard, Château Sainte Marguerite, William Grant & Sons, Helmsman Imports, PATRÓN, 100% Mystery Ingredient- Free Tequila, Gruppo Montenegro, Cutwater, Australian Bitters Co., and Fabbri.
Spirited Awards® Directory
Tales of the Cocktail is pleased to share the Spirited Awards Directory, which gives discerning imbibers a comprehensive compendium of all Spirited Awards winners and nominees from the past 20 years. This resource is updated annually, making it a go-to guide for planning the perfect drinking and dining itinerary. Access the Spirited Awards Directory to explore award-winning bars.
24 Years of Inspiration & Tales of the Cocktail
This year, marking the 24-year anniversary, the conference returns with more seminars, events, and, of course, imbibing, all in the name of the conference’s 2026 theme, “Spark.” Chosen to represent the collective of individuals who come together to create, share, and find inspiration each year at Tales, the 2026 conference will highlight the global cocktail community that continues to inspire each other year after year.
Please follow along for additional information on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website, Instagram, X, and Facebook.
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About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. As the world’s leading spirits education platform, the Foundation provides year-round programs and initiatives that foster professional growth and drive meaningful change. Each July, the industry gathers in New Orleans, the beating heart of cocktail culture and hospitality, for a one-of-a-kind conference that blends education, networking, and celebration like no other. Guided by its core pillars—Educate, Advance, and Support—the Foundation’s impact extends far beyond the U.S., reaching professionals and communities around the world.
About Food & Wine:
Food & Wine, the ultimate culinary and beverage authority, celebrates the global epicurean experience through its magazine, website, social platforms, newsletters, podcasts, premium events such as the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, and accolades like its annual Best New Chef and Drinks Visionaries awards. With rigorously tested recipes and the most trusted restaurant, drinks, culinary travel, and home coverage, the brand inspires and empowers people to discover, create, and devour the best in food and drink—every day and everywhere. Food & Wine is part of the People Inc. publishing family.
Media Inquiries:
BMF Media
TOTCF@wearebmf.com
