Above: Congratulations to Ryan Chetiyawardana, Alex Lawrence and the Lyan family notching up an incredible three awards including World’s Best Cocktail Bar
In case you hadn’t heard, there was a little event taking place in New Orleans last week. Not for nothing is Tales of the Cocktail regarded as The Oscars of the drinks industry… Taking in five full days of fabulousness the action-packed programme included a host of thought-provoking seminars, umpteen spirited tastings, super-cool parties and of course, the thing we’ve all missed more than anything – connecting with old and new friends from all corners of the globe.
The other big draw was the annual Spirited Awards, where people, products, bars and their teams are given huge props from their industry peers. This is how it rolled this year…
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year presented by Patrón Tequila
Remy Savage — A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London, UK

Best International Bar Mentor presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic
Lauren Mote

Best International Brand Ambassador presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic
Martin Hudak — Mr Black Spirits

Best International Bar Team presented by House of Angostura
MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney, Australia

Best International Cocktail Bar presented by Tequila Fortaleza
Tayer + Elementary — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar presented by Perrier
Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK

Best International Restaurant Bar presented by Amaro Montenegro and Select Aperitivo
Sexy Fish — London, UK

Best New International Cocktail Bar presented by Stranger & Sons
A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK

U.S. CATEGORIES
U.S. Bartender of the Year presented by Del Maguey
Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA

Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by BarSmarts
Sean Kenyon

Best U.S. Brand Ambassador presented by Libbey
Lynn House — Heaven Hill

Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
Katana Kitten — New York, NY

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Absolut Vodka
Katana Kitten — New York, NY
Best U.S. Hotel Bar presented by Grey Goose
Silver Lyan at the Riggs — Washington, DC

Best U.S. Restaurant Bar presented by Maison Ferrand
Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Aviation Gin
Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM

WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication presented by Diageo Bar Academy
VinePair

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Diageo Bar Academy
The Cocktail Lovers

Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing presented by Diageo Bar Academy
Get Real: The bar world looks beyond feel-good measures on sustainability and climate change by Max Falkowitz for Imbibe Magazine
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic
The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig

Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits presented by Diageo Bar Academy
The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum

GLOBAL CATEGORIES
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange

World’s Best Cocktail Menu presented by Diageo Bar Academy
Little Red Door — Paris, France

World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Beam Suntory
Jack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, DC

Pioneer Award Presented by The Blend
Amanda Gunderson – CEO & Co-Founder, Another Round Another Rally

Timeless International Award presented by Jägermeister
Harry’s New York Bar — Paris, France

Timeless U.S. Award presented by Johnnie Walker
Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel — New York, NY

Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
Julie Reiner — Co-Founder Clover Club, Leyenda, Social Hour Cocktails, & Mixtress Consulting

World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London, UK
