Spirited Awards names US finalists
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has rounded off its list of nominees for the 19th annual 2025 Spirited Awards with the unveiling of its US finalists.
Founded in 2007, the Spirited Awards have become one of the industry’s most sought-after prizes, recognising beverage professionals, products, and establishments across every facet of the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale.
In partnership with official media partner, Forbes, TOTCF will honour recipients during the Tales of the Cocktail conference, which is celebrating its 23rd year from 20-25 July in New Orleans. The Spirited Awards ceremony will take place on 24 June at The Fillmore.
Earlier this week, it was revealed that The Spirits Business is a top 10 finalist in two categories this year: Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication, and Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series.
The awards are divided into US and international, with the latter finalists announced earlier this week. The top US finalists have been whittled down from a longer list of regional nominees, who were announced in April.
Below is the full list of the top 10 US finalists across the US for the Spirited Awards 2025.
US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard
- Michael Aredes – Superbueno, New York, NY
- Erika Flowers – Compère Lapin, New Orleans, LA
- McLain Hedges – Yacht Club, Denver, CO
- Andra ‘AJ’ Johnson – Serenata, Washington, DC
- Amanda Jones – Nickel City, Austin, TX
- Christine Kim – Service Bar DC, Washington, DC
- Libby Lingua – Highball, Phoenix, AZ
- Shammai Mading – Superbueno, New York, NY
- Takuma Watanabe – Martiny’s/L’Americana/Midnight Blue, New York, NY
- Ben Yabrow – Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
Best US Bar Mentor presented by Pernod Ricard
- Colin Asare-Appiah
- Jason Asher
- Meaghan Dorman
- Touré Folkes
- Kate Gerwin
- Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass
- Ignacio ‘Nacho’ Jiménez
- Lindsey Johnson
- Anne Louise Marquis
- Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Best US Brand Ambassador
- Joseph Brooke – Fords Gin
- Tad Carducci – Gruppo Montenegro
- Sullivan Doh – D’Ussé
- Benny Hurwitz – Campari American Whiskeys
- Stephen Kurpinsky – Mr Black Coffee Liqueur
- Bernie Lubbers – Heaven Hill
- Roberto Núñez Moreno – Patrón Tequila
- Mary Palac – Campari Mexican Spirits
- Cesar Sandoval – Casa Lumbre Spirits
- Natasha Sofia – Mijenta Tequila
Best US Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
- Allegory at the Eaton Hotel – Washington, DC
- Best Intentions – Chicago, IL
- Cobra – Columbus, OH
- Eleven Madison Park – New York, NY
- Highball – Phoenix, AZ
- Service Bar – Washington, DC
- Superbueno – New York, NY
- Thunderbolt – Los Angeles, CA
- True Laurel – San Francisco, CA
- Yacht Club – Denver, CO
Best US Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard
- Bar Kaiju – Miami, FL
- Best Intentions – Chicago, IL
- Double Chicken Please – New York, NY
- Martiny’s – New York, NY
- Overstory – New York, NY
- Service Bar – Washington, DC
- Superbueno – New York, NY
- Thunderbolt – Los Angeles, CA
- Trick Dog – San Francisco, CA
- True Laurel – San Francisco, CA
Best US Hotel Bar
- Carousel Bar & Lounge at Hotel Monteleone – New Orleans, LA
- Champagne Bar at the Four Seasons Surf Club – Miami, FL
- Chandelier Bar at the Four Seasons New Orleans – New Orleans, LA
- Dear Irving on Hudson at the Aliz Hotel – New York, NY
- Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott – Phoenix, AZ
- Lobby Bar at The Hotel Chelsea – New York, NY
- Midnight Rambler at The Joule – Dallas, TX
- Pacific Standard at the KEX Portland – Portland, OR
- Raines Law Room at the William – New York, NY
- The LaFayette Hotel and Club – San Diego, CA
Best US Restaurant Bar
- Amazonia – Washington DC
- Arnaud’s French 75 Bar – New Orleans, LA
- Cobra – Columbus, OH
- Gramercy Tavern – New York, NY
- Kumiko – Chicago, IL
- Macchialina – Miami, FL
- Maple and Ash – Chicago, IL
- Mírate – Los Angeles, CA
- Palomar – Portland, OR
- Valentine – Phoenix, AZ
Best New US Cocktail Bar
- Bar Snack – New York, NY
- Bisous – Chicago, IL
- Carry On – Phoenix, AZ
- Clemente Bar – New York, NY
- Gus’ Sip & Dip – Chicago, IL
- Nickel City – Houston, TX
- Papercut – Austin, TX
- Press Club Cocktail Bar – Washington, DC
- Sip & Guzzle – New York, NY
- ViceVersa – Miami, FL
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