The 18th Annual Spirited Awards® celebrate outstanding achievements in the global drinks industry, toasting winners at Tales of the Cocktail® on July 25, 2024
NEW ORLEANS, LA (January 29, 2024) — Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce the commencement of the 18th Annual Spirited Awards® nomination period, open from January 29 to February 20, 2024. Established in 2007 to honor excellence in the drinks industry, the Spirited Awards have grown into one of the most internationally prestigious recognitions, celebrating individuals, products, establishments, media, and industry luminaries from around the world who continue to inspire the global cocktail community. TOTCF will celebrate the Spirited Awards winners during the Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) conference, taking place in New Orleans from July 21-26, 2024.
Featuring categories that span both international and domestic awards, along with awards that transcend geographical boundaries such as World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu, the Spirited Awards celebrate excellence across the global beverage industry.
“For nearly two decades, it has been our great honor to recognize those who are inspiring excellence in the global cocktail community,” said Tales of the Cocktail Foundation CEO Eileen Wayner. “As we launch the 2024 Spirited Awards, it is with immense gratitude and excitement that we welcome nominations for our 18th annual celebration. Here’s to another year of honoring the outstanding talent that consistently inspires and advances our industry!”
Timeline, Categories, and Nominations
This year’s Spirited Awards timeline will consist of an open-call nomination process from January 29 to February 20, 2024. The Regional Honoree list will be published on April 22. The Top 10 Nominee list will be announced on May 29 with the Top 4 Finalists announced on June 14.
The 18th annual Spirited Awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, July 25 at The Fillmore New Orleans during the 22nd annual Tales of the Cocktail conference. Further details, including ticketing information, will be announced leading up to the celebration.
The nomination form, open for all nominations including self-nominations, is available on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website. One nomination is all it takes to be considered for the 2024 Spirited Awards, and all nominations are accepted and encouraged. The 2024 Spirited Awards categories open for public nomination are as follows.
2024 Spirited Awards Categories Open for Public Nomination:
- (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
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu
- World’s Best Spirits Selection
- Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
- Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
- Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
- Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
- Visionary Award
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 experience 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.
“The Spirited Awards celebrate excellence in our industry all over the world,” said Spirited Awards Overall Chair, Charlotte Voisey. “The geographical spread of our judges captained by our team of Co-Chairs allows that to happen with integrity. I am delighted to work with this group for 2024.”
Winners will be selected by a panel of over 200 industry experts, led by the following Chair and Co-Chairs representing various regions:
- Spirited Awards Overall Chair
- Charlotte Voisey
- Asia Pacific Co-Chairs
- Sam Bygrave
- Andrew Ho
- Symphony Loo
- Charmaine Thio
- Canada Co-Chairs
- Kate Boushel
- Jonathan Smolensky
- Europe Co-Chairs
- Stephanie Jordan
- Roberta Mariani
- Latin America & Caribbean Co-Chairs
- Carlos Aguinsky
- Georgina Barbachano García
- Middle East & Africa Co-Chairs
- Stephen “KOJO” Aidoo
- Caitlin Hill
- Nana Sechere
- U.S. Central Co-Chairs
- Joshua Gandee
- Lynn M. House
- U.S. East Co-Chairs
- Jackson Cannon
- Jaymee Mandeville
- U.S. West Co-Chairs
- Jason Asher
- Erin Schaeferle
- Timeless Co-Chairs
- Jared Brown
- Anistatia Miller
- Writing & Media Co-Chairs
- Ryan Chetiyawardana
- Emma Janzen
- Sandrae Lawrence
To learn more about the Spirited Awards Committee and awards criteria, please visit the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation’s Spirited Awards page.
22 Years of Inspiration & Tales of the Cocktail
This year, marking the 22-year anniversary, the conference returns with more seminars, events, and, of course, imbibing, all in the name of the conference’s 2024 theme, “Inspire.” Chosen to represent the collective of individuals who come together to create, share, and find inspiration each year at Tales, the 2024 conference will highlight the global cocktail community that continues to inspire each other year after year.
To facilitate celebrations, Tales of the Cocktail’s 2024 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 24, 2024.
Please follow along for additional information on the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation website, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
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About Tales of the Cocktail Foundation:
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is a non-profit organization that educates, advances, and supports the global hospitality industry and creates lasting impact in our host communities. Tales of the Cocktail Foundation is the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. The pillars of the Foundation are to Educate, Advance, and Support the hospitality industry through programs that benefit individuals and organizations in the community and to make a lasting impact in communities that host our events.
Media Inquiries:
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