Iain McPherson and his bar Panda & Sons in Edinburgh took three gongs at Tales of the Cocktail's Spirited Awards 2025, with Side Hustle, Dré Masso and Ian Burrell also among the UK-based winners.
While World's Best Bar went to Kumiko from Chicago, US, Iain Mcpherson was named Best International Bar Mentor, with his flagship basement bar taking awards for World's Best Cocktail Menu and Best International Bar Team.
Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London took home Best International Hotel Bar and Dré Masso of Altos Tequila and Nusa Caña Rum won Best International Brand Ambassador.
The Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award, meanwhile, went to global rum ambassador Ian Burrell.
There was strong UK representation at Fillmore New Orleans for the ceremony, with the winners joined by finalists such as Satan's Whiskers, Class magazine, Anna Sebastian, Bart Miedeksza and Valentino Girotto.
The winners in full are as follows:
INTERNATIONAL CATEGORIES
International Bartender of the Year
• Lorenzo Antinori — Bar Leone, Hong Kong, China
Best International Bar Mentor
• Iain McPherson
Best International Brand Ambassador
• Dré Masso — Altos Tequila and Nusa Caña Rum
Best International Bar Team
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
Best International Cocktail Bar
• Bar Leone — Hong Kong, China
Best International Hotel Bar
• Side Hustle at The NoMad Hotel London — London, UK
Best International Restaurant Bar
• Moebius Milano — Milan, Italy
Best New International Cocktail Bar
• Devil’s Cut — Madrid, Spain
U.S. CATEGORIES
US Bartender of the Year presented by Pernod Ricard
• Christine Kim — Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Bar Mentor presented by Pernod Ricard
• Colin Asare-Appiah
Best U.S. Brand Ambassador
• Natasha Sofia — Mijenta Tequila
Best U.S. Bar Team presented by William Grant & Sons
• Allegory at the Eaton Hotel — Washington, D.C.
Best U.S. Cocktail Bar presented by Pernod Ricard
• Trick Dog — San Francisco, CA
Best U.S. Hotel Bar
• Little Rituals at the Residence Inn/Courtyard by Marriott — Phoenix, AZ
Best U.S. Restaurant Bar
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
Best New U.S. Cocktail Bar
• Sip & Guzzle — New York, NY
WRITING & MEDIA CATEGORIES
Best Cocktail & Spirits Publication
• Full Pour
Best Cocktail & Spirits Writing
• “In War-Torn Ukraine, Nightlife Offers a Fleeting Escape” by Adam Robb, for Wine Enthusiast
Best Broadcast, Podcast, or Online Video Series presented by Cheech & Chong Cannabis Co.
• Radio Imbibe
Best New Cocktail or Bartending Book presented by Branca USA
• The Bartender’s Pantry: A Beverage Handbook for the Universal Bar by Jim Meehan and Bart Sasso with Emma Janzen
Best New Book on Drinks Culture, History, or Spirits
• The Cocktail Parlor: How Women Brought the Cocktail Home by Nicola Nice
GLOBAL CATEGORIES
World’s Best Bar presented by Tales of the Cocktail Foundation
• Kumiko — Chicago, IL
Best New Spirit or Cocktail Ingredient
• Planteray Cut & Dry Coconut Rum
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
• Panda & Sons — Edinburgh, Scotland
World’s Best Spirits Selection presented by Flor de Caña Rum
• Eleven Madison Park — New York, NY
AWARD RECIPIENTS
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award presented by William Grant & Sons
• Ian Burrell
Tales Visionary Award presented by Johnnie Walker
• Lynnette Marrero
Timeless International Award
• Bar Cock — Madrid, Spain
Timeless U.S. Award
• The Bar at Keens Steakhouse — New York, NY