The Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) has once again spotlighted the brightest stars in the beverage industry with the 18th annual Spirited Awards®. This year’s ceremony, held in conjunction with the Tales of the Cocktail® (TOTC) conference on July 25, 2024, in New Orleans, marked a continuation of tradition and excellence that has characterized these awards since their inception in 2007.
A Night of Inspiration and Achievement
The Spirited Awards® have long been recognized as one of the most prestigious accolades in the spirits and cocktail world, celebrating a wide range of professionals from bartenders to brand ambassadors across the globe. This year’s theme, “Inspire,” perfectly encapsulated the essence of the event—honoring those who excel in innovation and community building within the industry.
In an exciting partnership with Forbes, the official media partner for the event, TOTCF celebrated this year’s winners in a grand ceremony that brought together industry leaders and enthusiasts alike. Charlotte Voisey, the Overall Chair for the Spirited Awards®, expressed immense pride in the achievements of the honorees, emphasizing their embodiment of this year’s theme.
Highlighting the Best in the Industry
The winners of the 18th annual Spirited Awards® were selected by a discerning panel of over 250 industry experts, demonstrating excellence in various categories, both domestically and internationally. Key highlights from the awards include:
- Eric van Beek of Handshake Speakeasy in Mexico City, named International Bartender of the Year.
- Handshake Speakeasy also took home the award for World’s Best Cocktail Menu.
- ALQUÍMICO in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, was celebrated as the World’s Best Bar.
The awards also recognized outstanding achievements in other categories, such as Best International Brand Ambassador, Best U.S. Bar Team, and innovative new establishments in both the U.S. and international categories.
U.S. and International Excellence
The U.S. categories shone a spotlight on individuals and venues that have made significant impacts in their local scenes. Notable winners included Kapri Robinson from Allegory in Washington, D.C., who was honored as the U.S. Bartender of the Year, and Jewel of the South in New Orleans, which won Best U.S. Bar Team.
Internationally, the spirit of innovation continued with awards like Best New International Cocktail Bar going to Bar Leone in Hong Kong and Best International Hotel Bar awarded to BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok.
Media Recognition and Literary Contributions
The event also celebrated achievements in media and literature, with awards given to outstanding publications, broadcasts, and books that contribute to the culture, history, and education of the cocktail industry. Highlights included “The Ice Book” by Camper English, which won Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book, and “Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice” by Toni Tipton-Martin, recognized for its exploration of drinks culture and history.
Reflecting a Diverse Industry
Throughout the selection process, TOTCF maintained a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that the panel of judges reflected the broad spectrum of the industry in terms of race, gender, ethnicity, and sexuality. This approach underscores the foundation’s dedication to recognizing a wide array of talents and perspectives within the global cocktail community.
As the 2024 Spirited Awards conclude, the winners not only reflect the current state of the beverage industry but also inspire future innovations and the continued pursuit of excellence. The Tales of the Cocktail continues to serve as a beacon for the craft, celebrating those who elevate the art of the cocktail and the community around it.
2024 Spirited Awards® Winners:
International Categories:
- International Bartender of the Year: Eric van Beek — Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City, Mexico
- Best International Bar Mentor: Danil Nevsky
- Best International Brand Ambassador: Dave Mitton — Lot 40 / J.P. Wiser’s
- Best International Bar Team: Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
- Best International Cocktail Bar: ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
- Best International Hotel Bar: BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
- Best International Restaurant Bar: Danico — Paris, France
- Best New International Cocktail Bar: Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
U.S. Categories:
- U.S. Bartender of the Year: Kapri Robinson — Allegory, Washington, D.C.
- Best U.S. Bar Mentor: Alex Jump
- Best U.S. Brand Ambassador: Anna Mains — Monkey Shoulder
- Best U.S. Bar Team: Jewel of the South — New Orleans, LA
- Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: Yacht Club — Denver, CO
- Best U.S. Hotel Bar: Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
- Best U.S. Restaurant Bar: Cleaver – Butchered Meats, Seafood & Classic Cocktails — Las Vegas, NV
- Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar: Superbueno — New York, NY
Writing & Media Categories:
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: The Cocktail Lovers
- Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series: Bartender at Large
- Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing: “A New Spirit Confronts the Consequences of Colonialism,” by Adaorah Oduah, for Punch
- Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book: The Ice Book: Cool Cubes, Clear Spheres, and Other Chill Cocktail Crafts by Camper English
- Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits: Juke Joints, Jazz Clubs, and Juice: Cocktails from Two Centuries of African American Cookbooks by Toni Tipton-Martin
Global Categories:
- Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: YUZUCO Yuzu Super Juice
- World’s Best Cocktail Menu: Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
- World’s Best Spirits Selection: Baba Au Rum — Athens, Greece
- Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award: Hidetsugu Ueno
- Timeless International Award: Café Pacifico — London, UK
- Timeless U.S. Award: The Buena Vista — San Francisco, CA
- Tales Visionary Award: Colin Asare-Appiah
- World’s Best Bar: ALQUÍMICO — Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
