Spirited Awards names Top 10 International Nominees

Tales of the Cocktail Foundation has announced the Top 10 International Nominees for the Spirited Awards, which is now in its 19^th year.

As some of the industry’s most sought-after awards, the Spirited Awards celebrate the industry’s beverage professionals, products and establishments on a global scale, encompassing all areas of the spirits and cocktail community.

Tiffanie Barriere, Spirited Awards U.S. Chair, says: “Every year, we’re inspired by the extraordinary and diverse global talent emerging from our industry.

“This year’s shortlist is a celebration of those who are redefining excellence – crafting remarkable cocktails, elevating guest experiences, and pushing our industry to new heights around the world.” 

Among the Top 10 International Nominees are some of Australia’s top venues and people, including Luke Whearty from Byrdi in Melbourne, shortlisted for International Bartender of the Year; Caretaker’s Cottage, nominated for Best International Bar Team and Best International Cocktail List; and Dean & Nancy on 22, running for Best International Hotel Bar.

The Spirited Awards Top 4 Finalists will be announced in June, along with the recipients of the Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, Tales Visionary Award, International Timeless Award and the U.S. Timeless Award.

The Spirited Awards winners will then be celebrated during the Tales of Cocktail conference, now in its 23^rd year, taking place in New Orleans between 20-25 July.

The 2025 Spirited Awards Top 10 International Nominees are:

International Bartender of the Year

• Lorenzo Antinori — Bar Leone, Hong Kong
• Gabriele Armani — Paradiso, Barcelona, Spain
• Hedda Bruce — Tjoget, Stockholm, Sweden
• Giulia Cuccurullo — Artesian, The Langham, London, UK
• Uno Jang — Jigger & Pony, Singapore
• Harrison Kenney — Bar Nouveau, Paris, France
• Vasilis Kyritsis — Line Athens, Athens, Greece
• Miguel Mora — ALQUÍMICO, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
• Alessandro Palazzi — DUKE’S, London, UK
• Luke Whearty — BYRDI, Melbourne, Australia

Best International Bar Mentor

• Kate Boushel
• Nico de Soto
• Shingo Gokan
• Andrew Ho
• Indra Kantono
• Iain McPherson
• Anna Sebastian
• Carina Soto Velasquez
• Kaitlyn Stewart
• Jean Trinh

Best International Brand Ambassador

• Jenna Ba — Diageo
• Jordan Bushell — Hennessy
• Claudia Cabrera — Fratelli Branca
• Jesse Estes — Tequila Ocho
• Caitlin Hill — Rémy Cointreau
• Daniyel Jones — House of Angostura
• Ally Martin — Hendrick’s Gin
• Dré Masso — Altos Tequila & Nusa Caña Rum
• Ricardo Nava — Bacardi
• Tim Philips-Johansson — Johnnie Walker

Best International Bar Team

• Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
• Bar Pompette — Toronto, ON, Canada
• Bar Us — Bangkok, Thailand
• Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
• Hope & Sesame Guangzhou — Guangzhou, China
• Jigger & Pony at the Amara Hotel — Singapore
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK
• Tayēr + Elementary — London, UK

Best International Cocktail Bar

• A Bar with Shapes for a Name — London, UK
• Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
• Bar Nouveau — Paris, France
• Bar Pompette — Toronto, ON, Canada
• Caretaker’s Cottage — Melbourne, Australia
• COA — Hong Kong, China
• Handshake Speakeasy — Mexico City, Mexico
• Himkok — Oslo, Norway
• Paradiso — Barcelona, Spain
• Satan’s Whiskers — London, UK

Best International Hotel Bar

• ARGO at the Four Seasons Hotel — Hong Kong, China
• Charles H. at the Four Seasons Hotel — Seoul, South Korea
• Dean & Nancy on 22 at the A by Adina Hotel — Sydney, Australia
• Firefly at The Kempinski Bangkok — Bangkok, Thailand
• HERO at the Trademark Hotel — Nairobi, Kenya
• Library Bar at the Fairmont Royal York — Toronto, ON, Canada
• Origin Bar at the Shangri-La Hotel — Singapore
• Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK
• The Donovan Bar at the Brown’s Hotel — London, UK
• VIRTÙ at the Four Seasons Tokyo Otemachi — Tokyo, Japan

Best International Restaurant Bar

• Angelita — Madrid, Spain
• ARCA Tulum — Tulum, Mexico
• Bar Raval — Toronto, ON, Canada
• Burnt Ends — Singapore
• FURA — Singapore
• Le Mary Celeste — Paris, France
• Locale Firenze — Firenze, Italy
• La Petite Maison Dubai — Dubai, UAE
• Mimi Kakushi — Dubai, UAE
• Moebius Milano — Milan, Italy

Best New International Cocktail Bar

• Bar Mauro — Mexico City, Mexico
• Cafe Arixi — Mexico City, Mexico
• Civil Works — Toronto, ON, Canada
• Cosmo Pony at the Grand Hyatt Hotel — Jakarta, Indonesia
• Devil’s Cut — Madrid, Spain
• Dry Wave Cocktail Studio — Bangkok, Thailand
• Esencia by SIPS — Barcelona, Spain
• Exímia Bar — São Paolo, Brazil
• Gokan — Hong Kong, China
• Three Sheets Soho — London, UK