Tales of the Cocktail’s Annual Spirited Awards competition, which recognizes the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers and experts, celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2016. After a panel of more than 100 industry experts led by Simon Ford (Chairman), Jackson Cannon (U.S. Judging Committee Chairman), Jacob Briars (International Judging Committee Chairman) and David Wondrich (Writing Committee Chairman) voted on the nominees, winners were announced July 22 at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans.
Sponsoring partners of the 10th Annual Spirited Awards were Bacardi USA, BarSmart, Beam Suntory, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Chivas Regal, El Dorado Rum, Fords Gin, Gazela Vinho Verde, Goose Island Beer Company, House of Angostura, Luxardo, Nikka Whisky, Parlor Lounge at The Mirage, Pernod Absinthe, Pierre Ferrand Cognac, Ramazzotti, Rutte, The Cromwell, United States Bartenders Guild and William Grant & Sons. In addition to this year’s judged award winners, the Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Sasha Petraske, the New York bartender of Milk & Honey fame who died unexpectedly in August 2015 at age 42. His wife, Georgette Moger-Petraske, accepted on his behalf.
Here’s the full list of 2016 winners by category.
Best American Bar Team: ABV San Francisco
Best American Brand Ambassador: Colin Asare-Appiah (Bacardi)
Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar: Herbs & Rye (Las Vegas)
Best American Restaurant Bar: Saxon + Parole (New York)
American Bartender of the Year: Jeffrey Morgenthaler of Clyde Common (Portland, OR)
Best American Cocktail Bar: Smuggler’s Cove (San Francisco)
Best American Hotel Bar: The Elephant Bar at The NoMad (New York)
Best New American Cocktail Bar: Sweet Liberty (Miami Beach)
Best International Bar Team: American Bar at the Savoy (London)
Best International Brand Ambassador: Max Warner (Chivas Regal)
Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar: Callooh Callay (London)
Best International Restaurant Bar: Hawksmoor Spitalfields (London)
International Bartender of the Year: Hidetsugu Ueno of Bar High Five (Tokyo)
Best International Cocktail Bar: Happiness Forgets (London)
Best International Hotel Bar: The Connaught Bar at The Connaught (London)
Best New International Cocktail Bar: Oriole (London)
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: Cocktail Lovers
Best New Cocktail & Bartending Book: The Dead Rabbit Drinks Manual: Secret Recipes and Barroom Tales from Two Belfast Boys Who Conquered the Cocktail World by Sean Muldoon, Jack McGarry and Ben Schaffer
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer: Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Best New Spirits Book: Divided Spirits – Tequila, Mezcal, and the Politics of Production by Sarah Bowen
Best Bar Mentor: Angus Winchester
World’s Best Cocktail Menu: Dandelyan (London)
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: Stiggins’ Fancy Plantation Pineapple rum (Barbados) (show at top)
World’s Best Spirits Selection: Tommy’s (San Francisco)
World’s Best Cocktail Bar: The Connaught Bar at the Connaught (London)
Lifetime Achievement Award: Sasha Petraske
