20 years celebrating the best of the best in the world of drinks, from the people and places, the books and brands, the Spirited Awards doffs its cap to the lot. The recipients of the 2026 awards are as follows…
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
Yayo Nava — Bar Mauro, Mexico City, Mexico
Best International Bar Mentor presented by Helmsman Imports
Indra Kantono
Best International Brand Ambassador
Jesse Estes — Tequila Ocho
Best International Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
Best International Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
Best International Hotel Bar
ARGO at the Four Seasons — Hong Kong, China
Best International Restaurant Bar
FURA — Singapore
Best New International Cocktail Bar
De Vie — Paris, France
U.S. CATEGORIES:
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Brown-Forman
Takuma Watanabe — Martiny’s/ L’Americana/ Midnight Blue, New York, NY
Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by Helmsman Imports
Amanda Gunderson and Travis Nass
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
Benny Hurwitz — Campari American Whiskies
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Service Bar — Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar by Gruppo Montenegro
Bar Snack — New York, NY
Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by PATRÓN, 100% Mystery Ingredient- Free Tequila
ViceVersa at the Elser Hotel — Miami, FL
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Cobra — Columbus, OH
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Cutwater
schmuck. — New York, NY
GLOBAL CATEGORIES:
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
FURA – Singapore
World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Australian Bitters Co.
Allegory at the Eaton Hotel
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Tlec?n — Mexico City, Mexico
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Helmsman Imports
Bruichladdich The Laddie Rye 7 Year
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
David Wondrich
Tales Visionary Award presented by Château Sainte Marguerite
Jean Trinh
Timeless International Award presented by Explore Louisiana
The Bamboo Bar at Mandarin Oriental — Bangkok, Thailand
Timeless U.S. Award presented by Explore Louisiana
Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge — Milwaukee, WI
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES:
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
Imbibe
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
Amour Drink
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
“Thinking Differently: Neurodivergent Bartenders Thrive Behind the Stick,” by Rich Manning for VinePair
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book
Soju Party: How to Drink (and Eat!) Like a Korean by Irene Yoo
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
The Comic Book History of the Cocktail by David Wondrich and illustrated by Dean Kotz
Photograph: Erika Molleck Goldring
