Another Tales of the Cocktail is in the books. This year, the annual conference celebrated 20 years since its inception, and the city of New Orleans was buzzing with energy after Tales was forced to go virtual the past two years.
Throughout the week, Tales of the Cocktail and its partners hosted hundreds of events and activations designed specifically for drinks industry professionals, from bartenders to distillers. These included educational seminars, tasting rooms, and plenty of good parties, and just like each year since 2007, the event concluded with the Spirited Awards.
The Spirited Awards recognize bars, products, beverage professionals, media outlets, and journalists for their work in the industry, bestowing such coveted titles as World’s Best Bar, Bartender of the Year, and Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient.
With this year’s theme of “progress”—and an appreciation of the nimble and adaptive nature of the drinks community—winners made strides in moving the beverage industry forward. Award recipients were chosen by a panel of more than 200 industry experts, led by Charlotte Voisey, the Spirited Awards Overall Chair. See below for the full list of winners.
2022 Spirited Awards Winners
U.S. Categories
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar
Katana Kitten — New York
Best U.S. Bar Team
Katana Kitten — New York
Best U.S. Hotel Bar
Silver Lyan at the Riggs — Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
Jewel of the South — New Orleans
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
Happy Accidents — Albuquerque, NM
U.S. Bartender of the Year
Chris Hannah — Jewel of the South, New Orleans
Best U.S. Bar Mentor
Sean Kenyon
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
Lynn House — Heaven Hill
International Categories
Best International Bar Team
MAYBE SAMMY — Sydney
Best International Cocktail Bar
Tayēr + Elementary — London
Best International Hotel Bar
Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London
Best International Restaurant Bar
Sexy Fish — London
Best New International Cocktail Bar
A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London
International Bartender of the Year
Remy Savage — A Bar with Shapes for a Name, London
Best International Bar Mentor
Lauren Mote
Best International Brand Ambassador
Martin Hudak — Mr. Black Spirits
Global Categories
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Lyaness at Sea Containers London — London
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Little Red Door — Paris
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Jack Rose Dining Saloon — Washington, D.C.
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
Lyre’s Non-Alcoholic – Italian Orange
Pioneer Award
Amanda Gunderson – CEO & Co-Founder, Another Round Another Rally
Timeless International Award
Harry’s New York Bar — Paris
Timeless U.S. Award
Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel — New York
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
Julie Reiner — Co-Founder Clover Club, Leyenda, Social Hour Cocktails, & Mixtress Consulting
Writing & Media Categories
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
VinePair
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series
The Cocktail Lovers
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
“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
The Japanese Art of the Cocktail by Masahiro Urushido and Michael Anstendig
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
The Oxford Companion to Spirits & Cocktails edited by David Wondrich with Noah Rothbaum
