Here are the winners from the 2009 Tales of the Cocktail!

NEW ORLEANS, LA – July 20, 2009 – Through the Spirit Awards, Tales of the Cocktail provides recognition to those individuals and establishments that have shown an outstanding talent for advancing the craft of the cocktail. To embody the ideals with which Tales of the Cocktail was originally founded, these awards will provide recognition to both national, as well as to local New Orleanians. Pernod Ricard and Beverage Media group sponsored this year’s second awards show.

The 2009 Tales of the Cocktail Spirit Awards Winners were:
World’s Best Drinks Selection
WINNER – Merchant Hotel, Belfast
 Best American Cocktail Bar
WINNER – Pegu Club, NYC
World’s Best Cocktail Bar
WINNER – PDT, NYC
 World’s Best New Cocktail Bar
WINNER – Clover Club, Brooklyn
World’s Best Hotel Bar
WINNER – Merchant Hotel, Belfast
American Bartender of the Year
WINNER – James Meehan, PDT
International Bartender of the Year
WINNER – Tony Conigliaro
 Best New Cocktail/Bartending Book
WINNER – The Essential Cocktail – Dale DeGroff
Best Cocktail Writing
WINNER – Dave Wondrich
 Best New Product
WINNER – Bols Genever
World’s Best Cocktail Menu
WINNER – Merchant Hotel, Belfast
Best American Brand Ambassador
WINNER – Simon Ford, Plymouth Gin and Pernod Ricard
Helen David Lifetime Achievement Award
WINNER – Peter Dorelli

About Tales of the Cocktail
Tales of the Cocktail is an internationally acclaimed festival of cocktails, cuisine and culture held annually in New Orleans, Louisiana. The event brings together the best and brightest of the cocktail community–award-winning mixologists, authors, bartenders, chefs and designers–for a five-day celebration of the history and artistry of making drinks. Each year offers a spirited series of dinners, demos, tastings, competitions, seminars, book signings, tours and parties all perfectly paired with some of the best cocktails ever made.
For more information, go to www.TalesoftheCocktail.com.