NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 19, 2026) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is proud to announce the Top 10 International Nominees for the 20th annual Spirited Awards®. Since its inception in 2007, the Spirited Awards has become one of the world’s highest-regarded honors in the drinks industry, celebrating outstanding individuals, establishments, products, media, and leaders who continue to inspire the global cocktail community.
In partnership with official media partner, Food & Wine, TOTCF will honor recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail® conference, which is celebrating its 24th year in New Orleans, July 19-24, 2026. The Spirited Awards celebrate excellence across the global bar and cocktail industry, honoring outstanding achievements in both domestic and international categories. The program recognizes leaders in bars, bartending, writing, and media, while also presenting top global honors, including World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu.
“The magic of cocktail culture has never just lived in what’s in the glass—it lives in the people, the stories, and the hospitality that stay with us long after the last sip,” said Tiffanie Barriere, Spirited Awards U.S. Chair. “This year’s nominees embody the passion, creativity, and cultural influence that continue to shape how the world gathers, celebrates, and connects.”
In that spirit, the Foundation is proud to announce the Top 10 U.S. Nominees.
2026 Spirited Awards Top 10 International Nominees:
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
Eric Bennett — Continental Drift, Birmingham, AL
Linda Douglas — Donna’s, Los Angeles, CA
Andrea Grujic — Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
Juliette Larrouy — schmuck., New York, NY
Libby Lingua — Highball, Phoenix, AZ
Daddy Long Legs — Hawksmoor, Chicago, IL
Shammai Mading — Superbueno, New York, NY
Steve Schneider — Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s/ L’Americana/ Midnight Blue, New York, NY
J’Nai Angelle Williams — Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons, New Orleans, LA
Best U.S. Bar Mentor
Steva Casey
Meaghan Dorman
Kate Gerwin
Iain Griffiths
Amanda Gunderson & Travis Nass
Ignacio “Nacho” Jiménez
Anne Louise Marquis
Jeffrey Morganthaler
LP O’Brien
Christine Wiseman
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
Erik Andersson — Hendrick’s Gin
Joe Brooke — Fords Gin
Kiowa Bryan — Saint Benevolence
Tad Carducci — Gruppo Montenegro
Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskies
Alexander “Zan” Kong — Worthy Park Estate
Jessi Lorraine — Old Forester
Mary Palac — Campari Mexican Spirits
Cesar Sandoval — Casa Lumbre Spirits
Erin Schaeferle — Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Bar Snack — New York, NY
Cobra — Columbus, OH
Highball — Phoenix, AZ
Lady Jane — Denver, CO
Nickel City — Austin, TX
Pacific Cocktail Haven — San Francisco, CA
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Sip & Guzzle — New York, NY
SUPERBUENO — New York, NY
Yacht Club — Denver, CO
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
Bar Snack — New York, NY
Best Intentions — Chicago, IL
Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
Martiny’s — New York, NY
Overstory — New York, NY
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Sip & Guzzle — New York, NY
SUPERBUENO — New York, NY
Thunderbolt — Los Angeles, CA
True Laurel — San Francisco, CA
Best U.S. Hotel Bar
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
Midnight Rambler at The Joule — Dallas, TX
Raines Law Room at the William — New York, NY
The Manor Bar at the Rosewood Miramar Beach — Montecito, CA
The Sazerac Bar at The Roosevelt New Orleans — New Orleans, LA
ViceVersa at the Elser Hotel — Miami, FL
White Limozeen at The Graduate — Nashville, TN
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Amazonia — Washington, D.C.
Arnaud’s French 75 Bar — New Orleans, LA
Bar Madonna — Brooklyn, NY
Cobra — Columbus, OH
Daisies — Chicago, IL
Hungry Eyes — New Orleans, LA
Kimball House — Decatur, GA
Mírate — Los Angeles, CA
Sunny’s Steakhouse — Miami, FL
Viridian — Oakland, CA
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
Daisy Margarita Bar — Los Angeles, CA
Dolores — Brooklyn, NY
Donna’s — Houston, TX
Eleven11 — Nashville, TN
Junebug — New Orleans, LA
Rougarou — Denver, CO
schmuck. — New York, NY
Semiprecious — Denver, CO
The Peach Crease Club — Denver, CO
Vandell — Los Angeles, CA
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 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 8 and 9, 2026, and Spirited Awards Winners will be celebrated on July 23, 2026 at the 20th Annual Spirited Awards Ceremony at the Fillmore New Orleans.
Spirited Awards® 2026 Partners
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation would like to thank all of its Spirited Awards® sponsors: Food & Wine, Brown-Forman, Pernod Ricard, William Grant & Sons, and Australian Bitters Co.
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.
To facilitate celebrations, Tales of the Cocktail’s 2026 official host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans, provides a room block and special rate for attendees. The online reservation platform can be accessed via the Marriott website, here. Guests are invited to secure their reservations early as reservations are first come, first served, and the last day to book is June 22, 2026.
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. Tales of the Cocktail will take place in New Orleans July 19-24, 2026. #totc2026
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
