The annual celebration of all things alcohol-centric – Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans – has drawn to its logical conclusion: a city-wide glassware shortage, the world’s largest Negroni, a wedding, an awful lot of hangovers and of course the results of the 5th Annual Spirited Awards. Manhattan’s Employees Only were the night’s big winners, taking home awards for both the World’s Best Drinks Selection and World’s Best Cocktail Bar; however drinking dens and industry professionals on this side of the Atlantic put in a sterling performance themselves.

American Bar at The Savoy, London was named the World’s Best Hotel Bar, whilst head bartender Erik Lorincz added another trophy to his collection, for International Bartender of the Year. Artesian at The Langham’s cocktail list was dubbed the World’s Best, and Beefeater’s Dan Warner scooped the award for Best International Brand Ambassador (pictured).

Full list of the winners and nominees:

AMERICAN BARTENDER OF THE YEAR

Kenta Goto, New York City, New York and Sam Ross, New York City, New York

Eric Alperin, Los Angeles, California

Misty Kalkofen, Boston, Massachusetts

Joaquin Simo, New York City, New York

BEST AMERICAN BRAND AMBASSADOR

Jacques Bezuidenhout, Partida Tequila

Colin Asare-Appiah, U’Luvka Vodka

Jamie Gordon, Absolut Vodka

Jim Ryan, Hendrick’s Gin

BEST AMERICAN COCKTAIL BAR

Drink, Boston, Massachusetts

Clover Club, New York City, New York

Employees Only, New York City, New York

The Varnish, Los Angeles, California

BEST BAR MENTOR

Audrey Saunders, New York City, New York

Wayne Collins, London, England

Steve Olson, New York City, New York

Dushan Zaric, New York City, New York

BEST HIGH VOLUME COCKTAIL BAR

Rickhouse, San Francisco, California

Eastern Standard, Boston, Massachusetts

Flatiron Lounge, New York City, New York

Florida Room, Miami, Florida

BEST COCKTAIL WRITING – AUTHOR

Camper English, San Francisco, California

Toby Cecchini, New York City, New York

Darcy O’Neil, London, Ontario

Naren Young, New York City, New York

BEST COCKTAIL WRITING – NON BOOK

Imbibe USA

BarlifeUK.com

Liquor.com

Tasting Panel Magazine

BEST INTERNATIONAL BRAND AMBASSADOR

Dan Warner, Beefeater Gin

Ian Burrell

Claire Smith, Belvedere Vodka

Angus Winchester, Tanqueray Gin

BEST NEW COCKTAIL/BARTENDING BOOK

Punch by David Wondrich

Fix the Pumps by Darcy O’Neil

Left Coast Libations by Ted Munat & Michael Lazar

Speakeasy by Dushan Zaric and Jay Kosmas

BEST NEW PRODUCT

Banks Rum

Cocchi Americano

Smith & Cross Rum

Tequila Calle 23

BEST RESTAURANT BAR

Eleven Madison Park, New York City, New York

The Drawing Room, Chicago, Illinois

Hawksmoor Seven Dials, London, England

Hix, London, England

INTERNATIONAL BARTENDER OF THE YEAR

Erik Lorincz, London, England

Dre Masso, London, England

Sam Ross, New York City, New York

Dushan Zaric, New York City, New York

WORLD’S BEST COCKTAIL BAR

Employees Only, New York City, New York

69 Colebrooke Row, London, England

Dry Martini, Barcelona, Spain

High Five, Tokyo, Japan

WORLD’S BEST COCKTAIL MENU

Artesian at The Langham, London, England

Eau de Vie, Sydney, Australia

Mayahuel, New York City, New York

Sanctuaria, St. Louis, Missouri

WORLD’S BEST DRINKS SELECTION

Employees Only, New York City, New York

Artesian at The Langham, London, England

Cure, New Orleans, Louisiana

Eau de Vie, Sydney, Australia

WORLD’S BEST HOTEL BAR

American Bar, The Savoy, London, England

Artesian at The Langham, London, England

Clive’s Classic Lounge at Chateau Victoria Hotel, Victoria, British Columbia

Clyde Common at The Ace Hotel, Portland, Oregon

WORLD’S BEST NEW COCKTAIL BAR

Eau de Vie, Sydney, Australia

1534, New York City, New York

Dram, New York City, New York

PKNY (previously Painkiller), New York City, New York

News item from Imbibe.com, 25-07-2011