Behind every great cocktail is a bartender who turns mixing drinks into an art form. Whether it’s crafting the perfect Old Fashioned or shaking up something entirely new, bartenders bring creativity and passion to every pour. This World Bartender Day, we’re celebrating the trailblazers, innovators, and award-winning bartenders who are redefining the global cocktail scene. From India to Japan, these bartenders have earned top honours and global recognition for their skills. Let’s meet these mixologists who are literally raising the bar!
Award-Winning Bartenders Across The World
1. Yangdup Lama
Ever heard of Sidecar in Delhi? If you love cocktails, this name should be on your must-visit list! The man behind this legendary bar is Yangdup Lama, a bartender who never actually planned to be one. His journey started at the Hyatt Regency, where he fell in love with bartending, and today, he’s an industry icon. His bar, Sidecar, has consistently ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Bars for four years straight. He also runs a bartending school and consultancy, training the next generation of mixologists. His innovation and expertise earned him the Roku Industry Icon Award at Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024, making him the first Indian to win this prestigious title.
2. Damián Langarica
Imagine making six flawless cocktails in just eight minutes! That’s exactly what Damián Langarica did to win the Top 50 US World Class Bartenders speed round in 2021. Born in Miami and raised partly in Spain, he’s mastered the art of blending cultures through cocktails. His wins include the Tio Pepe Sherry Cocktail Challenge and the Woodford Reserve Manhattan Experience. Whether he’s serving a classic cocktail or experimenting with innovative flavours, Damián is a master at what he does.
3. Santanu Chanda
If you’ve sipped a cocktail at HOME in Delhi, chances are, it was crafted by Santanu Chanda. With a passion for pushing cocktail boundaries, he’s won some of the world’s top competitions, including World Class Bartender of the Year – India 2024. From mixing up the best highballs to representing India in global contests, Santanu is a true innovator in the bar scene. Under his leadership, HOME made it to Asia’s 50 Best Bars in 2022. His cocktails are not just about taste; they tell a story, making him one of the country’s most exciting mixologists.
4. Iain McPherson
Ever heard of cocktails inspired by freezing techniques? Meet Iain McPherson, the brains behind Panda & Sons in Edinburgh. His innovative approach has made his bar one of Scotland’s best. No wonder his peers voted him Altos Bartenders’ Bartender 2024, one of the most prestigious honours in the industry! His techniques, like ‘switching’ (a method of freezing spirits and swapping out the water content for other liquids), have earned him a reputation as one of the industry’s most innovative minds.
5. Aashie Bhatnagar
Six years into her bartending career, Aashie Bhatnagar has already made history. Not only did she win World Class India 2023, but she also became the first Indian woman to break into the Top 12 at the global finals in São Paulo. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, she finished 6th worldwide, putting India firmly on the international cocktail map. If you’re in Pune, head to Cobbler & Crew and experience her magic behind the bar! With her passion and talent, Aashie is set to achieve even greater heights in the years to come.
6. Kazuya Morisaki
In Japan, mastering a craft is a way of life, and Kazuya Morisaki has applied this philosophy to cocktails. With a meticulous approach that blends tradition with modern techniques, he has risen to become one of the country’s most respected mixologists. His signature style? Precision. This dedication to perfection earned him the IBA World Cocktail Championship (Long Drinks 2022), a competition where only the world’s best mixologists compete. Not stopping there, he also bagged the Suntory Cocktail Award (2024), solidifying his place as one of Japan’s top bartenders.
7. Jeet Verma
Great bartending is about more than just making drinks; it’s about understanding people. And that’s exactly what makes Jeet Verma an award-winning bartender. Crowned Bartender of the Year at the Caterer Middle East Awards 2020, Verma’s talent lies in his ability to personalise every cocktail based on his guests’ preferences. With his innovative gin masterclasses, he played a key role in transforming Masti, a Dubai-based restaurant, into a gin-lover’s paradise.
8. Kate Boushel
More than just a bartender, Kate Boushel is a force for change in the bar industry. With a background in politics and PR, she has channelled her passion for fairness and representation into creating a more inclusive bartending world. As Director of Beverage and Education for Barroco Group, she curates cocktail programs at some of Canada’s most celebrated bars, including Atwater Cocktail Club and Milky Way Cocktail Bar. She was recognised with the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2024 by North America’s 50 Best Bars.
Cheers to these incredible award-winning bartenders! Who would you love to have mix you a drink?
Cover Image Courtesy: Iain McPherson/Instagram and Yangdup Lama/Instagram
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