Tales of the Cocktails Foundation 2024: Winners of the Spirited Awards

As a bartender, you probably already know that Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is a non-profit organization that educates, advances, and supports the global hospitality industry and creates a lasting impact in our host communities. 

It is, without a doubt, the global leader in spirits education and a platform to tackle issues facing the industry. To Educate, Advance, and Support the hospitality industry are TOTCF pillars through programs that benefit the bartending community. 

Moreover, The Spirited Awards have become one of the industry’s most revered awards as part of the celebration of Tales of the Cocktails. They recognize beverage professionals, products, and establishments in the spirits and cocktail community on a global scale! And this July, in partnership with Forbes, the Spirited Awards honored recipients—carefully considered by a panel of over 250 industry experts—in New Orleans. 

Some of the Spirited Awards Chairs responsible for overseeing the judging process this year were Charlotte Voisey, Kate Boushel (winner of North Americas Altos Bartenders Bartender 2024), Georgina Barbachano, Lynn M. House, and Ryan Chetiyawardana, among others. 

Below, you will find some of this year’s main winners and a brief description of their legacy. We are filled with pride to see that many of our Tahona Society community members were recognized for their effort and dedication: 

International Bartender of the Year

Eric van Beek, Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City

Eric Van Beek is the star bartender and co-owner of Handshake Speakeasy. Born and raised in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, he started in hospitality at the age of 25. Starting relatively late, Eric was able to grow and gain success quickly in the international bar and cocktail world. In late 2019, Eric moved to Mexico City, and after several waves of COVID-19, Eric decided to partner up and opened Handshake Bar in April 2021, which arguably is the Best Bar in Mexico and takes the shiny new title of The Best Bar in North America 2024. 

Best International Cocktail Bar & World’s Best Bar 

Alquímico, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

Alquímico offers a farm-to-bar concept based across three floors of a renovated colonial mansion in Cartagena de Indias. Each floor champions Colombia’s biodiversity in different ways, from original creations to local twists on classic cocktails.

It was founded by French-Vietnamese owner Jean Trinh, who, along with his team, set up a farm during the pandemic. The farm now supplies the bar with its fresh ingredients and also supports the local community.

Best International Hotel Bar 

BKK Social Club at Four Seasons Bangkok

Inspired by the parallels of Buenos Aires and Bangkok, the bar’s emphasis on conviviality is clear from the moment you walk in the door. The menu draws inspiration from Argentina, employing Argentinian craft spirits to represent the notable places, people, and celebrations of Buenos Aires and its vibrant bar scene of the 1970s and 80s.

Best International Restaurant Bar 

Danico, Paris

Danico is the haven of Nico de Soto and his team of seasoned bartenders, offering a unique immersion into the universe of the man who had all of New York flocking to Mace, his East Village establishment. Cocktail enthusiasts and curious flavor explorers can enjoy a variety of carefully crafted cocktails, and like an initiatory journey, the menu details the container, describes the content, tastes, and sensations, and showcases technical prowess with its signature milk punches: clarified milk-based cocktails that you sip like a refreshing treat.

Best New International Cocktail Bar 

Bar Leone, Hong Kong

Everything at Leone is guided by a firm philosophy, cocktail popolari, meaning “cocktails for the people.” Speed, consistency and simplicity guide its drinks menu, which majors on spirits and ingredients found on almost every back bar, with a particular penchant for Italian bottles.

U.S. Bartender of the Year 

Kapri Robinson, Allegory, Washington, D.C.

Kapri Robinson is not only one of the most gifted bartenders from a palate standpoint, she’s also an activist and an advocate, and she understands what it means to build a Black space. She never wants to rest on her laurels, always wants to be better, always wants to push, and she really does take a leadership role among the team to push everyone to be better, to be their best version of themselves. Not only that, but she is also an encyclopedia of cocktails and knows how to balance drinks because she has a deep understanding of classic cocktails. 

Now, we present you with the list of other award recipients:

Best U.S. Bar Mentor 

Alex Jump

Best U.S. Bar Team 

Jewel of the South, New Orleans

Best U.S. Cocktail Bar

Yacht Club, Denver

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 

Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar 

Superbueno, New York

 

World’s Best Cocktail Menu 

Handshake Speakeasy, Mexico City

Timeless International Award 

Café Pacifico, London, UK

Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication 

The Cocktail Lovers

Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series 

Bartender at Large

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