SB Podcast cracks Spirited Awards top 10
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has revealed the latest instalment of its top 10 nominees for the Spirited Awards 2025, with The Spirits Business selected as a finalist for Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication, and Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series.
Established in 2007, the Spirited Awards is now in its 19th year. They aim to celebrate excellence across the global bar industry, recognising achievements in both domestic and international categories from bars to bartenders, bar teams and cocktail menus.
In addition, the programme includes awards for writing and media, as well as top honours that celebrate the best in the world, such as World’s Best Cocktail Bar and World’s Best Cocktail Menu.
The Spirits Business magazine has made it into the top 10 before but this year marks the first time The Spirits Business Podcast has been nominated.
The podcast was launched last year and is hosted by The Spirits Business editor-in-chief Melita Kiely.
“Every year, we’re inspired by the extraordinary and diverse global talent emerging from our industry,” said Tiffanie Barriere, Spirited Awards US 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 partnership with official media partner, Forbes, TOTCF will honour recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail conference, which is celebrating its 23rd year in New Orleans from 20-25 July 2025.
Following the announcement of the top 10 nominees in the US, Europe, and international categories, the foundation has now revealed the top 10 Writing & Media, Books, Product & Ingredients, and World’s Best Cocktail Menu and Spirits Selection nominees.
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
- Boothby
- Candra Drinks
- CLASS magazine
- COQTAIL – for fine drinkers
- Difford’s Guide
- Drinks International
- Full Pour
- Places You Are Welcome
- SevenFifty Daily
- The Spirits Business
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
- “Charting a New Course – In Louisiana’s Sugarcane Country, a New Spirit Emerges from Complicated Conditions” by Christine Sismondo, for Good Beer Hunting
- “Facing Racism on the Job as a Black Beverage Journalist” by Shayna Conde, for SevenFifty Daily
- “In War-Torn Ukraine, Nightlife Offers a Fleeting Escape” by Adam Robb, for Wine Enthusiast
- “License to spill: Six London landladies on what it takes to run a pub in 2024” by Millie Milliken, for The Standard
- “Nobody Walks – In a Sprawling Los Angeles, Restaurants Create a Constellation of Cocktail Culture” by Esther Tseng, for Good Beer Hunting
- “Praying Before Eating – From ‘Libations’ to ‘Pouring One Out,’ Spilling Drinks Connects Souls Across Centuries and Continents” by Yolanda Evans, for Good Beer Hunting
- “The Hidden Hospitality Hazards When You’re Too Big for the Bar” by Brad Thomas Parsons, for VinePair
- “This Martini Costs $22. Here’s Exactly Why.” by Robert Simonson, for The Wall Street Journal
- “What Do Neo-Prohibitionists Really Want?” by Tyler Wetherall, for SevenFifty Daily
- “Yes, Black Women Make Country Music – They also Enjoy Whiskey” by Gabrielle Nicole Pharms, for Sweet July
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series – presented by Cheech & Chong
- All Mxd Up
- Amourdrink TV
- Campari Academy Sessions
- Cocktail College
- Like•a•ble Cocktails by Kaitlyn
- Perspectives by Campari Academy
- Radio Imbibe
- Rare Spirits Society
- The Shaft by Josh Lindley of Bartender Atlas
- The Spirits Business Podcast
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book – presented by Branca USA
- A Quick Drink: The Speed Rack Guide to Winning Cocktails for Any Mood by Lynnette Marrero and Ivy Mix with Megan Krigbaum
- Bubbles: A Guide to Carbonated Cocktails by Bart Miedeksza and Valentino Girotto
- Cocktail Theory – A Sensory Approach to Transcendent Drinks by Dr. Kevin Peterson
- Difford’s Guide to Cocktails Book 18th Edition
- Roundbuilding 2nd Edition by Daniel Waddy and Kevin Armstrong
- Sparkling: Champagne and Sparkling Cocktails for Any Occasion by Elva Ramirez
- The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen
- The Cocktail Balance 2.0 by Stanislav Harcinik
- The Connaught Bar: Cocktail Recipes and Iconic Creations by Agostino Perrone with Giorgio Bargiani and Maura Milia
- The Martini: The Ultimate Guide to a Cocktail Icon by Alice Lascelles
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
- A Most Noble Water: Revisiting the Origins of English Gin by Anistatia Miller & Jared Brown
- Distilled in Washington: A History by Becky Garrison
- Dusty Booze: In Search of Vintage Spirits by Aaron Goldfarb
- In Fine Spirits A Complete Guide to Distilled Drinks by Joel Harrison & Neil Ridley
- Liqueur: A Global History by Lesley Jacobs Solmonson
- Liquid Legacy: A Timeless Tribute to the Founders of the United States Bartenders’ Guild by Livio Lauro
- Malort: The Redemption of a Revered and Reviled Spirit by Josh Noel
- Spirits Distilled: A Guide to the Ingredients Behind a Better Bottle by Nat Harry
- The Cocktail Parlor: How Women Brought the Cocktail Home by Nicola Nice
- The World Atlas of Whisky 3rd Edition by Dave Broom
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
- Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret
- Giffard Non-Alcoholic Elderflower Liqueur
- Ilegal Mezcal Reposado Caribbean Cask Finish
- Lalo Tequila Limited Edition High Proof
- Mijenta Maestra Selection No. 1
- Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum
- Rhum Clément Bana Canne
- The Botanist Distiller’s Strength Gin
- The Lost Explorer Blanco Tequila
- Worthy Park Overproof
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
- Bar 1661 — Dublin, Ireland
- Bar Kaiju — Miami, Flordia
- Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand
- Café de Nadie — Mexico City, Mexico
- Dr. Stravinsky — Barcelona, Spain
- Himkok — Oslo, Norway
- Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
- Maybe Sammy — Sydney, Australia
- Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
- Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
World’s Best Spirits Selection
- Amazonia — Washington DC
- Barro Negro — Athens, Greece
- Cat Bite Club — Singapore
- Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
- Mírate — Los Angeles, CA
- Rumba — Seattle, WA
- Salón de Agave — Mexico City, Mexico
- Sexy Fish London — London, UK
- Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel — London, UK
- Tlecān — Mexico City, Mexico
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