Spirited Awards whittles down to top four
The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has announced the top four international, US, world and writing and media finalists for the Spirited Awards.
The Spirited Awards will take place on 23 July, during the 24th Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC) festival (19-24 July).
A national top 10 for the US and a global top 10 had already been revealed, with those lists now pared back to just four per category.
“The Spirited Awards continue to celebrate the individuals, establishments, brands, and storytellers who are shaping the future of the global drinks industry,” said Ryan Chetiyawardana, Spirited Awards international chair.
“As we mark the 20th anniversary of the Spirited Awards, we are proud to recognise this year’s finalists and honorees whose creativity, dedication, and leadership have elevated cocktail culture around the world.
“Their contributions not only set new standards of excellence but also inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.”
Spirited Awards 2026 top four finalists
International
International Bartender of the Year
- Giovanni Allario – Moebius Milano, Milan, Italy
- Hedda Bruce – Tjoget, Stockholm, Sweden
- Vijay Mudaliar – Native, Singapore
- Yayo Nava – Bar Mauro, Mexico City, Mexico
Best International Bar Mentor, presented by Helmsman Imports
- Monica Berg
- Shingo Gokan
- Indra Kantono
- Anna Sebastian
Best International Brand Ambassador
- Claudia Cabrera – Fernet Branca
- Jesse Estes – Tequila Ocho
- Caitlin Hill – Rémy Cointreau
- Daniyel Jones – House of Angostura
Best International Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
- Bar Leone – Hong Kong, China
- Bar Mauro – Mexico City, Mexico
- Bar Us – Bangkok, Thailand
- Moebius Milano – Milan, Italy
Best International Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
- Bar Us – Bangkok, Thailand
- Caretaker’s Cottage – Melbourne, Australia
- Handshake Speakeasy – Mexico City, Mexico
- Satan’s Whiskers – London, UK
Best International Hotel Bar
- Argo at the Four Seasons – Hong Kong, China
- Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York – Toronto, ON, Canada
- Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel – Singapore
- Virtù at the Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi – Tokyo, Japan
Best International Restaurant Bar
Best New International Cocktail Bar
- Abstract Bistrot – Paris, France
- De Vie – Paris, France
- Mius – Hong Kong, China
- Montana – Hong Kong, China
US categories
US Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
- Juliette Larrouy – Schmuck, New York, NY
- Libby Lingua – Highball, Phoenix, AZ
- Takuma Watanabe – Martiny’s, L’Americana and Midnight Blue, New York, NY
- J’Nai Angelle Williams – Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons, New Orleans, LA
Best US Bar Mentor presented by Helmsman Imports
- Kate Gerwin
- Iain Griffiths
- Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass
- LP O’Brien
Best US Brand Ambassador
- Kiowa Bryan – Saint Benevolence
- Benny Hurwitz – Campari American Whiskies
- Mary Palac – Campari Mexican Spirits
- Cesar Sandoval – Casa Lumbre Spirits
Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
- Bar Snack – New York, NY
- Service Bar – Washington, DC
- Sip & Guzzle – New York, NY
- Superbueno – New York, NY
Best US Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
- Bar Snack – New York, NY
- Best Intentions – Chicago, IL
- Sip & Guzzle – New York, NY
- Superbueno – New York, NY
Best US Hotel Bar
- Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone – New Orleans, LA
- Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons Surf Club – Miami, FL
- Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel – New York, NY
- ViceVersa at the Elser Hotel – Miami, FL
Best US Restaurant Bar
- Arnaud’s French 75 Bar – New Orleans, LA
- Cobra – Columbus, OH
- Kimball House – Decatur, GA
- Sunny’s Steakhouse – Miami, FL
Best New US Cocktail Bar presented by Cutwater
- Rougarou – Denver, CO
- Schmuck – New York, NY
- The Peach Crease Club – Denver, CO
- Vandell – Los Angeles, CA
Global categories
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co.
- Allegory at the Eaton Hotel – Washington, DC
- Bar Us – Bangkok, Thailand
- Danico – Paris, France
- Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel – Singapore
World’s Best Spirits Selection
- Cat Bite Club – Singapore
- Mírate – Los Angeles, CA
- Salón de Agave – Mexico City, Mexico
- Tlecān – Mexico City, Mexico
Award recipients
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
- David Wondrich
Tales Visionary Award presented by Pernod Ricard
- Jean Trinh
Timeless International Award
- The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental – Bangkok, Thailand
Timeless US Award
- Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge – Milwaukee, WI
Writing and media categories
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
- Class magazine
- Imbibe
- Places You Are Welcome
- The Spill by InsideHook
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
- ‘How Bars Are Responding to ICE Raids’, by Emma Janzen for Punch
- ‘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
- ‘Why Aren’t There More Cocktail Books by Black Bartenders?’, by Yolanda Evans for InsideHook
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Cheech & Chong
- Amour Drink
- Sketchy Bartender
- The Curious Bartender
- VinePair Spirit Reviews
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Branca USA
- Hyper Drinks by Angelos Bafas
- Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean by Irene Yoo
- The Madrusan Cocktail Companion by Michael Madrusan and Zara Madrusan
- Three Cheers: Cocktails Three Ways by Kaitlyn Stewart
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
- 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 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
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
- Bruichladdich The Laddie Rye 7 Year
- Giffard Non-Alcoholic Spritz Liqueur
- Mijenta Tequila Maestra Selection No. 2
- Worthy Park Skurnik Selection Cane Juice Rum
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