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Sips wins World’s Best Bar title
The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has named Barcelona-based Sips as the World’s Best Bar at the 17th annual Spirited Awards.
Comprised of domestic and international industry accolades, writing and media awards, the winners of each International, US, and Global category were announced at the Spirited Awards ceremony hosted in New Orleans last night (July 27).
The evening’s award recipients were considered by a panel of more than 250 industry experts, led by Charlotte Voisey, the Spirited Awards overall chair.
“Congratulations to all of the Spirited Awards 2023 winners,” said Voisey. “I am delighted to see even more patches of magic and corners of excellence shining brightly at the Spirited Awards this year. Thank you to everyone involved in pulling together such a meaningful celebration.”
Recognised through the 2023 conference theme, ‘Vitalize’, those who are said to ‘encapsulate the hospitality community’s vibrancy and adaptability’, as well as its ‘unmatched kinetic energy that brings so much life to our shared experience’, were chosen as the winners.
In the global award categories, the title of World’s Best Bar went to Barcelona-based Sips, owned by acclaimed bartender Simone Caporale and Marc Alvarez.
Sips, which opened in 2021, also took home the Best International Cocktail Bar accolade.
The bar, otherwise known as Sips Drinkery House, is internationally renowned for its creative take on immediately recognisable classics and Sips signatures.
At the end of 2022, Caporale and Alvarez opened Essencia, the bar-within-a-bar concept at the back of Sips. The space is said to encapsulate the pair’s reimagining of the modern cocktail experience.
The World’s Best Cocktail Menu award went to New York’s Double Chicken Please, while the Best New Spirit of Cocktail Ingredient title went to Martini & Rossi Floreale non-alcoholic aperitivo.
In the regional categories, the Best Cocktail Bar in the US was named as Century Grand in Phoenix, Arizona, while Singapore’s Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel was named the Best International Hotel Bar.
Two members of the team at the Connaught Bar in London were recognised in the awards: Giorgio Bargiani was awarded the title of International Bartender of the Year, while his colleague Agostino Perrone was named the Best International Bar Mentor.
Meanwhile the Best International Bar Team title went to Columbia’s Alquímico, and the Best US Bar Team went to Albuquerque, New Mexico’s Happy Accidents.
Scroll down to discover the winners from the 2023 Spirited Awards.
International categories
International Bartender of the Year presented by The Busker
Giorgio Bargiani — Connaught Bar, London, UK
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Agostino Perrone
Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Nicola Riske — The Macallan
Best International Bar Team presented by Angostura Caribbean Rum
Alquímico — Cartagena, Colombia
Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Patrón Tequila
Sips — Barcelona, Spain
Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier
Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Analogue Initiative — Singapore
Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
Line Athens — Athens, Greece
US categories
US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard USA
Christine Wiseman — Marygold’s Brasserie / Broken Shaker, Miami, FL
Best US Bar Mentor presented BarSmarts
Chris Patino
Best US Brand Ambassador presented Libbey
Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka
Century Grand — Phoenix, AZ
Best US Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose
Hey Love at The Jupiter — Portland, OR
Best US Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo
Café La Trova — Miami, FL
Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Diageo Bar Academy
Martiny’s — New York, NY
Writing & media categories
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Punch
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
The Speakeasy Podcast
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
“The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
Global categories
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic
Martini & Rossi Floreale Non Alcoholic Aperitivo
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy
Double Chicken Please — New York, NY
World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Raised by Wolves — San Diego, CA
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
Desmond Payne MBE
Timeless International Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel Singapore — Singapore
Timeless US Award presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Tiki-Ti — Los Angeles, CA
Tales Visionary Award Presented by Johnnie Walker
Tiffanie Barriere
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Sips – Barcelona, Spain