NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 22, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is honored to announce the Top 10 U.S. Nominees, for the 19th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its founding in 2007, the Spirited Awards has 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 official media partner, Forbes, TOTCF will honor recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail® conference, which is celebrating its 23rd year in New Orleans, July 20-25, 2025.
The Spirited Awards honor excellence across the global bar industry, recognizing achievements in both domestic and international categories. The program includes awards for writing and media, as well as top honors that celebrate the best in the world—such as World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu.
“Every year, we’re inspired by the extraordinary and diverse global talent emerging from our industry,” said Tiffanie Barriere, Spirited Awards U.S. Chair. “This year’s shortlist is a celebration of those who are redefining excellence—crafting remarkable cocktails, elevating guest experiences, and pushing our industry to new heights around the world.”
In that spirit, the Foundation is proud to announce the Top 10 U.S. Nominees.
2025 Spirited Awards Top 10 U.S. Nominees (in alphabetical order):
U.S. Categories
- U.S. Bartender of the Year Presented by Pernod Ricard
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- Michael Aredes — Superbueno, New York, NY
- Erika Flowers — Compère Lapin, New Orleans, LA
- McLain Hedges — Yacht Club, Denver, CO
- Andra “AJ” Johnson — Serenata, Washington, D.C.
- Amanda Jones — Nickel City, Austin, TX
- Christine Kim — Service Bar DC, Washington, D.C.
- Libby Lingua — Highball, Phoenix, AZ
- Shammai Mading — Superbueno, New York, NY
- Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s/L’Americana/Midnight Blue, New York, NY
- Ben Yabrow — Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
- Best U.S. Bar Mentor Presented by Pernod Ricard
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- Colin Asare-Appiah
- Jason Asher
- Meaghan Dorman
- Touré Folkes
- Kate Gerwin
- Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass
- Ignacio “Nacho” Jiménez
- Lindsey Johnson
- Anne Louise Marquis
- Jeffrey Morgenthaler
- Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
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- Joseph Brooke — Fords Gin
- Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
- Sullivan Doh — D’USSÉ
- Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskeys
- Stephen Kurpinsky — Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
- Bernie Lubbers — Heaven Hill
- Roberto Núñez Moreno — Patrón Tequila
- Mary Palac — Campari Mexican Spirits
- Cesar Sandoval — Casa Lumbre Spirits
- Natasha Sofia — Mijenta Tequila
- Best U.S. Bar Team Presented by William Grant & Sons
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- Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
- Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
- Cobra — Columbus, OH
- Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
- Highball — Phoenix, AZ
- Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
- Superbueno — New York, NY
- Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
- True Laurel — San Francisco, CA
- Yacht Club — Denver, CO
- Best U.S. Cocktail Bar Presented by Pernod Ricard
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- Bar Kaiju — Miami, FL
- Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
- Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
- Martiny’s — New York, NY
- Overstory — New York, NY
- Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
- Superbueno — New York, NY
- Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
- Trick Dog — San Francisco, CA
- True Laurel — San Francisco, CA
- Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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- Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone — New Orleans, LA
- Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons Surf Club — Miami, FL
- Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans — New Orleans, LA
- Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel — New York, NY
- Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZ
- Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea — New York, NY
- Midnight Rambler at The Joule — Dallas, TX
- Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland — Portland, OR
- Raines Law Room at the William — New York, NY
- The LaFayette Hotel and Club — San Diego, CA
- Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
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- Amazonia — Washington D.C.
- Arnaud’s French 75 Bar — New Orleans, LA
- Cobra — Columbus, OH
- Gramercy Tavern — New York, NY
- Kumiko — Chicago, IL
- Macchialina — Miami, FL
- Maple and Ash — Chicago, IL
- Mírate — Los Angeles, CA
- Palomar — Portland, OR
- Valentine — Phoenix, AZ
- Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
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- Bar Snack — New York, NY
- Bisous — Chicago, IL
- Carry On — Phoenix, AZ
- Clemente Bar — New York, NY
- Gus’ Sip & Dip — Chicago, IL
- Nickel City — Houston, TX
- papercut — Austin, TX
- Press Club Cocktail Bar — Washington, D.C.
- Sip & Guzzle — New York, NY
- ViceVersa — Miami, FL
2025 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:
- Ryan Chetiyawardana
- Tiffanie Barriere
Asia Pacific Co-Chairs:
- Andrew Ho
- Symphony Loo
- Alice Newport
- Stefanie Wijono
Canada Co-Chairs:
- Jonathan Smolensky
- Juliana Wolkowski
Europe Co-Chairs:
- Stephanie Jordan
- Camille Vidal
Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs:
- Georgina Barbachano Garcia
- Roberto Berdecia
Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs:
- Richie Barrow
- Caitlin Hill
- Lara Rawa
U.S. Central Co-Chairs:
- Amanda Carto
- Joshua Gandee
U.S. East Co-Chairs:
- Jaymee Mandeville
- Natasha Sofia
U.S. West Co-Chairs:
- Erin Shaeferle
- Mary Allison Wright
Writing & Media Co-Chairs:
- Erick Castro
- Emma Janzen
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® 2025 Timeline
Top 4 Finalists, along with the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Tales Visionary Award, International Timeless Award, and U.S. Timeless Award, will be named on June 9, 2025. Tickets for the Spirited Awards ceremony will go on sale June 9th, 2025, and Spirited Awards Winners will be celebrated on July 24, 2025, at the 19th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony at the Fillmore New Orleans.
Spirited Awards® 2025 Partners
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards® sponsors: Australian Bitters Co., Branca USA, Cheech & Chong, G.H. Mumm Champagne, Innovation Beverage Group, Johnnie Walker, Pernod Ricard, and William Grant & Sons.
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 19 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.
23 Years of Inspiration & Tales of the Cocktail
This year, marking the 23-year anniversary, the conference returns with more seminars, events, and, of course, imbibing, all in the name of the conference’s 2025 theme, “Evolve.” Chosen to represent the collective of individuals who come together to create, share, and find inspiration each year at Tales, the 2025 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.
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