Another Tales of the Cocktail is in the books, and the New Orleans-based cocktail festival capped off a week of seminars, events, tastings, and parties with the 12th annual Spirited Awards, which recognizes the best bars, people, and products in the business. The pool of nominees was whittled down to four finalists in each category after months of deliberation by a global panel of judges. And last night, the winners were announced.
“As someone who has been on the other side of the Spirited Awards and has been nominated over the course of many years, I know how significant it is for an owner, operator, bartender or spirits professional to be recognized by his or her peers,” said Neal Bodenheimer, Co-Chair of the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. “Congratulations to this year’s winners who represent a global group of talent setting the bar incredibly high for our industry.”
London was the night’s big star, with seven wins. And the American Bar at the Savoy took home three of those wins for itself, getting the nod for World’s Best Bar, Best International Hotel Bar, and Best International Bar Team. Stateside, Miami bar Sweet Liberty picked up awards for Best American Bar Team and World’s Best Spirits Selection, and its late, great bartender John Lermayer was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.
See below for all the winners across each category, and stay tuned for more coverage from our trip to Tales.
2018 Spirited Awards Winners
Best American Bar Team
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami
American Bartender of the Year
Yael Vengroff, The Spare Room, Los Angeles
Best American Brand Ambassador
Anne Louise Marquis, Campari America
Best American Cocktail Bar
Lost Lake, Chicago
Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
The NoMad Bar, NYC
Best American Hotel Bar
The Broken Shaker at The Freehand, Miami
Best American Restaurant Bar
Clyde Common, Portland, OR
Best New American Cocktail Bar
Navy Strength, Seattle
International Categories
Best International Bar Team
The American Bar, The Savoy, London
International Bartender of the Year
Joe Schofield, Tippling Club, Singapore
Best International Brand Ambassador
Ian Burrell, Global Rum Ambassador
Best International Cocktail Bar
Happiness Forgets, London
Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
The Clumsies, Athens
Best International Hotel Bar
The American Bar, The Savoy, London
Best International Restaurant Bar
Sager & Wilde, London
Best New International Cocktail Bar
Coupette, London
Global Categories
Best Bar Mentor
Andy Seymour, Liquid Productions
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal Jabali
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Dandelyan, London
World’s Best Spirit Selection
Sweet Liberty Drinks & Supply Co., Miami
World’s Best Bar
The American Bar at The Savoy, London
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
John Lermayer
Writing Categories
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
The Daily Beast, Half Full Section
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
M. Carrie Allan, The Washington Post, Imbibe, and more
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Meehan’s Bartender Manual by Jim Meehan
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History or Spirits
By the Smoke and the Smell by Thad Vogler
Best Broadcast, Podcast or Online Video Series
Life Behind Bars
