The cocktail world's most prestigious recognition program has officially opened its doors for the 2026 season, marking two full decades of honoring the people and places that have shaped how Americans—and the rest of the world—enjoy their drinks.
Tales of the Cocktail Foundation announced that nominations for the 20th Annual Spirited Awards are now being accepted through February 3, 2026. What started as a modest ceremony in 2007 has evolved into something considerably larger: a comprehensive celebration of bartenders, bar owners, spirits producers, writers, and innovators who've transformed the industry from coast to coast and across international borders.
Image credit: Tales of the Cocktail
The timing carries particular weight. Twenty years represents a generation of change in any field, and the spirits industry has undergone a remarkable transformation during that span. Craft distilleries have multiplied across the American landscape. Classic cocktails have returned to prominence. A new generation of bartenders has elevated the profession into something approaching an art form. The Spirited Awards have documented and celebrated each step of that journey.
"As we celebrate the 20th year of the Spirited Awards, the theme 'Spark' feels especially resonant," said Charlotte Voisey, Executive Director of Tales of the Cocktail Foundation. "Each nominee and honoree represents a moment of inspiration that has grown into something larger, shaping their communities and influencing our industry. We are honored to open nominations for this milestone year and look forward to recognizing the exceptional talent and leadership shaping cocktail culture today."
The awards cover substantial ground. Eighteen distinct categories recognize achievement across multiple dimensions of the industry, from individual bartenders and brand ambassadors to establishments like cocktail bars, hotel bars, and restaurant bars. The scope extends internationally, with separate tracks for U.S. and international competitors in most categories, plus global distinctions including World's Best Bar and World's Best Cocktail Menu.
Several specialized categories acknowledge the intellectual and creative work that shapes industry conversations. Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing, Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication, and Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series recognize those who document and analyze the culture. Book categories honor both technical bartending guides and broader works exploring drinks culture, history, and spirits production.
The nomination process itself reflects the Foundation's commitment to accessibility and inclusivity. Anyone can submit a nomination—industry professionals, customers, even the nominees themselves. Only a single nomination is required for consideration, eliminating the popularity contest element that can plague other award systems. The Foundation has made the nomination form available on its website, removing barriers to participation.
What happens after nominations close follows a carefully structured timeline. Between March 31 and April 7, the Foundation will announce Top 10 Regional Honorees across different geographic areas. This year introduces a notable change: the regional announcement kicks off with a live event in Dubai at the Gulf Bar Show on March 31, acknowledging the Middle East's growing prominence in global cocktail culture.
The Top 10 Nominees across all categories will be revealed May 19-21, followed by the Top 4 Finalists on June 8-9. This graduated approach builds anticipation while giving finalists time to prepare for the main event: the awards ceremony on July 23, 2026, during the larger Tales of the Cocktail conference in New Orleans.
The judging process involves more than 200 industry experts working under the leadership of regional chairs and co-chairs. These aren't just names on letterhead—they're working professionals with deep expertise in their respective markets. The roster includes bartenders, bar owners, educators, writers, and industry leaders from every major region: Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, Middle East and Africa, and various U.S. zones.
International Chair and U.S. Chair positions are held by Tiffanie Barriere and Ryan Chetiyawardana, both respected figures whose careers span continents and decades. Regional co-chairs bring local knowledge and perspective. Alia Akkam and Erick Castro lead the Writing & Media categories. Anna Sulan Masing chairs the Books category. François Monti and Rebecca Sturt handle the Timeless Awards, which recognize establishments that have demonstrated sustained excellence over years.
This committee structure attempts to solve a persistent challenge in industry awards: how to evaluate competitors fairly when tastes, trends, and market conditions vary dramatically by region. A groundbreaking cocktail bar in Bangkok operates under different circumstances than one in Brooklyn or Buenos Aires. The regional approach allows judges to assess nominees within their specific contexts while maintaining consistent standards.
The awards sit at the center of Tales of the Cocktail, which has grown from a small gathering into the industry's premier annual event. The 2026 conference runs July 19-24 in New Orleans, offering a full week of educational programming, tastings, networking events, and celebrations throughout the city. The theme "Spark" connects to the awards' twentieth anniversary, emphasizing the moments and relationships that ignite progress.
New Orleans provides an appropriate backdrop. The city's cocktail heritage runs deep, from the Sazerac to the Hurricane to the Ramos Gin Fizz. Its bar culture blends tourist accessibility with serious craft expertise. The French Quarter's historic establishments exist alongside innovative newcomers. For one week each summer, the city becomes ground zero for industry professionals looking to learn, connect, and celebrate their craft.
The conference's official host hotel, The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans, offers special rates for attendees, though the Foundation encourages early booking given limited availability. That detail speaks to the event's scale—Tales of the Cocktail has grown large enough that accommodations become a consideration.
Behind the awards and conference stands Tales of the Cocktail Foundation itself, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering the global hospitality industry through education, advocacy, and community support. The Foundation operates year-round programs extending well beyond the July gathering, providing professional development opportunities and support for hospitality workers worldwide.
The organization's work rests on three core pillars: Educate, Advance, and Support. These aren't merely aspirational—they reflect tangible programs addressing real industry needs. Educational initiatives help bartenders and other professionals develop new skills and deepen their knowledge. Advocacy efforts work to improve working conditions and recognition for hospitality workers. Support programs provide resources for those facing challenges, from natural disasters to personal crises.
That broader mission gives the Spirited Awards additional significance. The ceremony isn't just about recognizing past achievement—it's about identifying and elevating the individuals and establishments that will shape the industry's future. Award winners gain visibility that can transform careers and businesses. Finalists benefit from the recognition even without taking home the top prize.
The nomination categories themselves tell a story about how the industry has evolved. Best Brand Ambassador, for instance, acknowledges that spirits companies now employ specialists who educate bartenders and consumers rather than simply pushing product. The cocktail menu category recognizes that thoughtful drink design has become an art unto itself. The spirits selection category honors establishments that curate their back bars with the care museums apply to their collections.
Book categories reflect the explosion of serious writing about drinks. Two decades ago, cocktail books were largely recipe collections with minimal context. Today's best releases explore everything from agricultural practices to cultural history to the science of flavor perception. The industry has developed its own literature, complete with distinct voices and perspectives.
Media categories acknowledge how information flows through the industry have changed. Podcasts and video series reach audiences in ways print never could. Social media has democratized access to education while creating new challenges around misinformation. The best broadcast and online content balances entertainment with substance, making complex topics accessible without dumbing them down.
The Timeless Awards deserve special mention. While most categories reward recent achievement, these honor establishments that have maintained excellence over extended periods. That's arguably harder than a single brilliant year—it requires consistency, adaptation to changing trends, and the ability to stay relevant without chasing every fad. Timeless winners demonstrate that quality endures.
For the general public, the Spirited Awards serve as a guide to exceptional experiences. The lists of finalists and winners point toward bars worth seeking out, bottles worth trying, and books worth reading. In an industry with countless options and variable quality, curation matters. These awards provide it.
For industry professionals, the awards represent peer recognition of the highest order. Winning a Spirited Award carries weight in job applications, investor pitches, and media coverage. Establishments display their awards prominently. Bartenders include them in their bios. The recognition matters because the judges understand what it takes to succeed in this demanding field.
The international scope reflects how cocktail culture has globalized. American bartenders travel to Singapore and London to learn techniques. Japanese whisky commands premium prices worldwide. Mexican mezcal has moved from regional specialty to global category. European aperitifs have found new audiences. The industry increasingly operates as a connected network rather than isolated regional scenes.
That globalization brings challenges alongside opportunities. How do you maintain local character while participating in international conversations? How do you honor tradition while embracing innovation? How do you ensure that growth benefits everyone rather than concentrating rewards among a privileged few? These questions don't have simple answers, but the Spirited Awards' structure—with its regional categories and global honors—attempts to balance competing interests.
The twenty-year milestone invites reflection on how far the industry has traveled. In 2007, craft cocktails were still a novelty in most American cities. Today, even suburban chain restaurants offer handcrafted drinks with fresh ingredients. Knowledge that was once closely guarded is now freely shared online. Professional bartending has become a viable long-term career rather than a temporary job.
Yet challenges remain. The hospitality industry faces persistent labor issues, from low wages to difficult working conditions. The pandemic exposed how vulnerable workers are to external shocks. Issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion require ongoing attention. The Spirited Awards alone can't solve these problems, but by elevating leaders who address them, the program can help drive progress.
Looking ahead to the July ceremony, the industry will gather to celebrate not just the past year but two decades of evolution. The bartenders, bar owners, brand ambassadors, writers, and innovators recognized in 2026 stand on the shoulders of everyone who came before. Their success reflects countless small decisions, experiments, and risks taken by people whose names may never appear on a finalist list.
For those interested in participating, the nomination window remains open through February 3, 2026. The Foundation welcomes submissions across all categories, requiring only a single nomination for consideration. Whether nominating yourself, a colleague, a favorite establishment, or someone whose work deserves wider recognition, the process is straightforward and accessible.
The Spirited Awards have documented cocktail culture's transformation from niche interest to mainstream passion. They've honored the people who elevated bartending from service job to respected profession. They've recognized the establishments that became destinations, the writers who expanded the conversation, and the innovators who pushed boundaries. As the program enters its third decade, it continues serving as both mirror and compass for an industry that shows no signs of slowing down.
