Drinks conference Tales of the Cocktail presented the winners of the 9th Annual Spirited Awards on July 18 at the Sheraton Hotel New Orleans. The recipients represent the year’s best bars, bartenders, writers and cocktail experts worldwide.
Award winners were culled from the largest nomination pool in the show’s history, which underwent a thorough judging process and voting by a panel of more than 100 industry experts. In addition to the judged award winners, Jonathan Downey and Steve Mannan were also honored this year for their professional achievements.
This year’s program was sponsored by Bacardi USA, BarSmarts, Beefeater Gin, Bleu Dry Bar, Caña Brava, Chivas, Cognac Ferrand, Courvoisier, House of Angostura, Luxardo, Mountain Valley Spring Water, Nicolas Feuillatte, The Perfect Purée of Napa Valley, Rums of Puerto Rico, Mezcal El Silencio and William Grant & Sons.
Congratulations to all the 2015 winners; here’s the full list.
AMERICAN CATEGORIES
Best American Bar Team
Employees Only (New York)
American Bartender of the Year
Ivy Mix (New York)
Best American Brand Ambassador
Brooke Arthur (House Spirits)
Best American Cocktail Bar
Williams & Graham (Denver)
Best American High Volume Cocktail Bar
Employees Only (New York)
Best American Hotel Bar
The Broken Shaker (Miami Beach)
Best American Restaurant Bar
Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks (Boston)
Best New American Cocktail Bar
ABV (San Francisco)
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
Best International Bar Team
28 Hong Kong Street (Singapore)
International Bartender of the Year
Ryan Chetiyawardana (London)
Best International Brand Ambassador
Claire Smith-Warner (Belvedere Vodka)
Best International Cocktail Bar
Artesian (London)
Best International High Volume Cocktail Bar
The Black Pearl & The Attic (Melbourne)
Best International Hotel Bar
Beaufort Bar, The Savoy (London)
Best International Restaurant Bar
Blind Pig at Social Eating House (London)
Best New International Cocktail Bar
Dandelyan (London)
WRITING CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
PUNCH
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writer
Dave Broom
Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold
Best New Spirits Book
Whisky: The Manual by Dave Broom
OVERALL CATEGORIES
Best Bar Mentor
Jim Meehan (Portland, OR)
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
Amaro di Angostura
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
Dead Rabbit (New York)
World’s Best Spirits Selection
Canon (Seattle)
World’s Best Bar
Dead Rabbit (New York)
SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jonathan Downey
Sam Guarino Citation
Steve Mannan
