On July 24, 2025, the Fillmore New Orleans hosted the 19th annual Spirited Awards, a highlight of the Tales of the Cocktail conference. Organized by the Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF), this event celebrated the finest bartenders, bars, and industry professionals shaping the global cocktail and spirits scene. Guided by co-chairs Tiffanie Barriere and Ryan Chetiyawardana, a panel of over 250 industry experts selected winners who embodied the 2025 conference theme, “Evolve,” showcasing innovation and growth in hospitality. Partnered with Forbes, the ceremony featured a Taste of New Orleans, with local cuisine and world-class cocktails, making it a night to remember.
Image credit: Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
Since its start in 2007, the Spirited Awards have become a top honor in the drinks industry, recognizing excellence across U.S., international, writing, media, and global categories. From the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award to World’s Best Bar, the awards highlight those driving creativity and quality. The event drew a diverse crowd, from bartenders to bar owners, all gathered to celebrate the craft of mixology and the vibrant community behind it.
2025 Spirited Awards Winners
Below is the complete list of winners across all categories, showcasing the best in the global cocktail and spirits industry:
- U.S. Bartender of the Year (presented by Pernod Ricard): Christine Kim, Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
- Best U.S. Bar Mentor (presented by Pernod Ricard): Colin Asare-Appiah
- Best U.S. Brand Ambassador: Natasha Sofia, Mijenta Tequila
- Best U.S. Bar Team (presented by William Grant & Sons): Allegory at the Eaton Hotel, Washington, D.C.
- Best U.S. Cocktail Bar (presented by Pernod Ricard): Trick Dog, San Francisco, CA
- Best U.S. Hotel Bar: Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott, Phoenix, AZ
- Best U.S. Restaurant Bar: Kumiko, Chicago, IL
- Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar: Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
- International Bartender of the Year: Lorenzo Antinori, Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China
- Best International Bar Mentor: Iain McPherson
- Best International Brand Ambassador: Dré Masso, Altos Tequila and Nusa Caña Rum
- Best International Bar Team: Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, Scotland
- Best International Cocktail Bar: Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China
- Best International Hotel Bar: Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London, London, UK
- Best International Restaurant Bar: Moebius Milano, Milan, Italy
- Best New International Cocktail Bar: Devil’s Cut, Madrid, Spain
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: Full Pour
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing: “In War-Torn Ukraine, Nightlife Offers a Fleeting Escape” by Adam Robb, Wine Enthusiast
- Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series (presented by Cheech & Chong Cannabis Co.): Radio Imbibe
- Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book (presented by Branca USA): The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen
- Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits: The Cocktail Parlor: How Women Brought the Cocktail Home by Nicola Nice
- World’s Best Bar (presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation): Kumiko, Chicago, IL
- Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu: Panda & Sons, Edinburgh, Scotland
- World’s Best Spirits Selection (presented by Flor de Caña Rum): Eleven Madison Park, New York, NY
- Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award (presented by William Grant & Sons): Ian Burrell
- Tales Visionary Award (presented by Johnnie Walker): Lynnette Marrero
- Timeless International Award: Bar Cock, Madrid, Spain
- Timeless U.S. Award: The Bar at Keens Steakhouse, New York, NY
Standout Winners and Their Stories
Christine Kim from Service Bar in Washington, D.C., earned U.S. Bartender of the Year for her ability to craft drinks that balance creativity with approachability, making every guest feel at home. Allegory at the Eaton Hotel, also in D.C., won Best U.S. Bar Team for their tight-knit teamwork and innovative cocktail menu. Trick Dog in San Francisco took Best U.S. Cocktail Bar, known for its ever-changing, thematic menus that keep patrons coming back. Little Rituals in Phoenix claimed Best U.S. Hotel Bar, offering a sophisticated yet laid-back vibe perfect for a night out.
Kumiko in Chicago stood out, winning both Best U.S. Restaurant Bar and World’s Best Bar. Led by Julia Momosé, Kumiko pairs Japanese cuisine with cocktails ranging from light and stirred to spirit-free and sake-based, creating a unique dining experience. Sip & Guzzle in New York City, named Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar, has quickly gained a following for its bold flavors and vibrant atmosphere.
Internationally, Bar Leone in Hong Kong shone brightly, with Lorenzo Antinori named International Bartender of the Year and the bar itself winning Best International Cocktail Bar. Its welcoming vibe and inventive drinks have made it a global hotspot. Panda & Sons in Edinburgh earned Best International Bar Team and World’s Best Cocktail Menu, blending creativity with accessibility. Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London took Best International Hotel Bar, while Moebius Milano in Italy won Best International Restaurant Bar for its seamless blend of fine dining and mixology. Devil’s Cut in Madrid, a newcomer, claimed Best New International Cocktail Bar, proving fresh ideas can compete with the best.
Celebrating the Craft
The writing and media categories highlighted those who tell the industry’s stories. Full Pour won Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication, offering in-depth insights for enthusiasts. Adam Robb’s article in Wine Enthusiast, exploring nightlife’s role in Ukraine, took Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing for its emotional depth. Radio Imbibe earned Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series, diving into the drinks world with engaging discussions. For books, The Bartender’s Pantry by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen won Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book, while The Cocktail Parlor by Nicola Nice took Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits, shedding light on women’s contributions to cocktails.
Global awards recognized broader excellence. Eleven Madison Park in New York City won World’s Best Spirits Selection for its vast and curated collection. Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum was named Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient, adding a fresh twist to cocktails. Ian Burrell received the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades-long impact, while Lynnette Marrero earned the Tales Visionary Award for her innovative leadership. Timeless Awards went to Bar Cock in Madrid and The Bar at Keens Steakhouse in New York City for their enduring appeal.
A Fair and Expert Process
The winners were chosen by a diverse panel of over 250 industry professionals, including bartenders, bar owners, and writers. Regional co-chairs like Andrew Ho, Natasha Sofia, and Symphony Loo evaluated nominees based on strict criteria, focusing on quality, innovation, and impact. Unlike public-voted awards, the Spirited Awards ensure fairness by relying on expert judgment, giving every nominee an equal shot.
A Night of Evolution
Held during the 23rd Tales of the Cocktail conference, the 2025 Spirited Awards embodied the theme “Evolve.” From new venues like Sip & Guzzle to established spots like Kumiko, the winners showed the industry’s ability to adapt and thrive. The ceremony, filled with food stations and cocktail bars, offered a taste of New Orleans’ vibrant culture, making it a fitting backdrop for the celebration.
For those planning a night out, the Spirited Awards Directory, updated yearly, lists the world’s best bars, from Chicago to Hong Kong. Whether it’s the refined elegance of Kumiko or the lively energy of Trick Dog, these venues promise memorable experiences. The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation, a nonprofit focused on education and community, continues to make New Orleans the heart of cocktail culture each July.
Why These Awards Matter
The Spirited Awards go beyond great drinks—they honor the people and places that make the bar industry a community. From bartenders crafting perfect cocktails to writers sharing their stories, the awards celebrate passion and creativity. For anyone who loves a well-made drink or a great night out, the 2025 winners offer a guide to the best bars and experiences around the world.
