Miami and Singapore Big Winners at Tales of the Cocktail's Annual Spirited Awards
Miami and Singapore Big Winners at Tales of the Cocktail's Annual Spirited Awards
The annual awards capped off a week of events in New Orleans
This past week, bartenders and bar owners from around the world took a hiatus from behind the stick to converge on the city of New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail (TOTC), an annual six-day event that celebrates the spirits industry and the art of the cocktail.
Each year, TOTC takes over New Orleans with events ranging from tastings and dinners to all-out parties. Past soirees have included Mardi Gras and circus themes, tasting rooms showcasing rare spirits, and multiple-course dinners.
This year, events included an AI-themed party where computers created cocktails and a robot named Zoltar generated custom poetry, a death-themed tea party, and a pop-up version of Miami’s Cafe La Trova.
The highlight of Tales of the Cocktail is its Spirited Awards. This elaborate affair, now in its 17th year, celebrates excellence in both cocktail making and spirits, with peer-driven awards bestowed upon restaurants, bars, brand ambassadors, and journalists throughout the world.
This year, Singapore and Miami were crowned the hottest places in which to imbibe, with each area taking home multiple awards.
In Miami, Bar Lab’s Christine Wiseman was named U.S. Bartender of the Year for her cocktail programs at MaryGold’s Florida Brasserie in Wynwood and Broken Shaker in Miami Beach. Cafe La Trova, located in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood, was named Best U.S. Restaurant Bar. The bar was also named one of North America’s 50 Best Bars.
Singapore’s Analogue Initiative was named Best International Restaurant Bar, while Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel was crowned Best International Hotel Bar. In addition, Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel received the Timeless International Award for its continued excellence.
Here is the complete list of 2023 Spirited Awards winners:
U.S. CATEGORIES
U.S. Bartender of the Year: Christine Wiseman — MaryGold’s Florida Brasserie and Broken Shaker (Miami, FL)
Best U.S. Bar Mentor: Chris Patino
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador: Vance Henderson — Hendrick’s Gin
Best U.S. Bar Team: Happy Accidents (Albuquerque, NM)
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar: Century Grand (Phoenix, AZ)
Best U.S. Hotel Bar: Hey Love at The Jupiter (Portland, OR)
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar: Café La Trova (Miami, FL)
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar: Martiny’s (New York, NY)
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year: Giorgio Bargiani — Connaught Bar, London, UK
Best International Bar Mentor: Agostino Perrone
Best International Brand Ambassador: Nicola Riske — The Macallan
Best International Bar Team: ALQUÍMICO (Cartagena, Colombia)
Best International Cocktail Bar: SIPS (Barcelona, Spain)
Best International Hotel Bar: Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel (Singapore)
Best International Restaurant Bar: Analogue Initiative (Singapore)
Best New International Cocktail Bar: Line Athens (Athens, Greece)
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication: Punch
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series: The Speakeasy Podcast
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing: “The Great Mezcal Heist” by Emma Janzen, for Eater
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book: The Bartender’s Manifesto by Toby Maloney with Emma Janzen
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits: Modern Caribbean Rum: A Contemporary Reference to the Region’s Essential Spirit by Matt Pietrek and Carrie Smith
GLOBAL CATEGORIES
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient: Martini & Rossi Floreale Non-Alcoholic Aperitivo
World’s Best Cocktail Menu: Double Chicken Please (New York, NY)
World’s Best Spirits Selection: Raised by Wolves (San Diego, CA)
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award: Desmond Payne MBE
Timeless International Award: Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel (Singapore)
Timeless U.S. Award: Tiki-Ti (Los Angeles, CA)
Tales Visionary Award: Tiffanie Barriere
World’s Best Bar: SIPS (Barcelona, Spain)