NEW ORLEANS, LA (May 20, 2026) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is proud to announce the Top 10 Writing & Media, Books, Spirit & Cocktail Ingredients, and World’s Best Cocktail Menu and Spirits Selection 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.”
Top 10 Writing & Media, Books, Product & Ingredients Categories, and World’s Best Cocktail Menu and Spirits Selection Nominees.
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co.
Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
Bar 1661 — Dublin, Ireland
Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand
BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
Danico — Paris, France
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
Sip & Guzzle — New York, NY
Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Amazonia — Washington, D.C.
Bar 1802 at the Hotel Montecristo — Paris, France
Barro Negro — Athens, Greece
Cat Bite Club — Singapore
Mírate — Los Angeles, CA
Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
Salón de Agave — Mexico City, Mexico
Scarfes Bar at the Rosewood Hotel — London, UK
Sexy Fish London — London, UK
Tlecān — Mexico City, Mexico
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
Angel’s Envy 10 Cask Strength
Bruichladdich The Laddie Rye 7 Year
Chambéryzette Strawberry Aperitif
Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer
Giffard Non-Alcoholic Spritz Liqueur
Hendrick’s Oasium
Kota Pandan Liqueur
Mijenta Tequila Maestra Selection No. 2
Saint Benevolence Mango
Worthy Park Skurnik Selection Cane Juice Rum
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
CLASS Magazine
Coqtail – for fine drinkers
Difford’s Guide
Imbibe
Mezcalistas
Places You Are Welcome
The Boulevardier
The Spill by InsideHook
The Spirits Business
Wine Enthusiast
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
Amour Drink
Ask the Expert by Camille Vidal
Cocktail Time with Kevin Kos
Kate Likes Cocktails
Like•a•ble Cocktails
no proof
Not Just A bartender
Sketchy Bartender
The Curious Bartender
VinePair Spirit Reviews
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
“10 Years After His Passing, Sasha Petraske Still Lives On,” by Rich Manning for VinePair
“How Bars Are Responding to ICE Raids,” by Emma Janzen for Punch
“In the Heart of Tequila Country, Everyone Knows the Chatazo,” by Ximena N. Beltran Quan Kiu for Punch
“In the Wake of the Eaton Fire Tragedy, This LA Bar Is a Beacon of Hope,” by Esther Tseng for Bon Appetit
“Indian cuisine is inspiring a new wave of innovative cocktails,” by M. Carrie Allan for The Washington Post
“Talking politics has bartenders on edge in Trump’s Washington DC,” by Adam Reiner for The Guardian
“Thinking Differently: Neurodivergent Bartenders Thrive Behind the Stick,” by Rich Manning for VinePair
“This Cult Gin Stars in NYC’s Best Martini, but You’ve Probably Never Heard Of It,” by Robert Simonson for VinePair
“Travis Tober: The Dive Bar King of Texas,” by Noah Rothbaum for Bartender Magazine
“Why Aren’t There More Cocktail Books by Black Bartenders?,” by Yolanda Evans for InsideHook
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
APERITIVO by Italia Squisita
HYPER drinks by Angelos Bafas
Make Myna Double: Cocktails for Bird Lovers by Katie Stryjewski
Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean by Irene Yoo
SOURS: A History of the World’s Most Storied Cocktail Style by Philip Greene
Spirited Women: Makers, Shakers, and Trailblazers in the World of Cocktails by Sammi Katz and Olivia McGiff
TEQUILA, MEZCAL & MORE Discover, Sip & Mix the Best Agave Spirits by Anna Bruce
The Madrusan Cocktail Companion by Michael Madrusan and Zara Madrusan
Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways by Kaitlyn Stewart
Tiny Cocktails: The Art of Miniature Mixology: A Cocktail Recipe Book by Tyler Zielinski
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
A Boozy History of Atlanta by Caroline Eubanks
Cocktails of Hemingway’s Havana by Juliet Brown
Tequila: A Tasting Course by Millie Milliken
The Comic Book History of the Cocktail by David Wondrich and illustrated by Dean Kotz
The Curious Bartender’s Agave Safari: Discovering and Appreciating Mexico’s Tequilas, Mezcals & More by Tristan Stephenson
The New Rules of Dining Out An Insider’s Guide to Enjoying Restaurants by Adam Reiner
The Ramos Gin Fizz by John Shelton Reed
The Rum Never Sets: 300 Years of Royal Navy & London Dock Rum by Matt Pietrek and Alexandre Gabriel
The Whiskey Bible: A Complete Guide to the World’s Greatest Spirit by Noah Rothbaum
Wine Pairing for the People: The Communion of Wine, Food, and Culture from Africa and Beyond by Cha McCoy with Layla Schlack
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
