World Drinks Awards announces the world’s best drinks and people of 2026
02.06.26
The winners of the World Drinks Awards 2026 and Icons of Drinks 2026 have been announced
The winners of the World Drinks Awards 2026 and Icons of Drinks 2026 have been announced at a prestigious ceremony in London, with honours going to standout producers and industry leaders including Geekstill, Don Luchesi Distillery, Joanne Moore, and JDO Global.London, United Kingdom — The world's finest drinks and most influential industry figures were celebrated at the World Drinks Awards and Icons of Drinks 2026 on Tuesday 2 June at the Waldorf Hotel, London. The ceremony brought together producers, brand owners, distillers, designers, and drinks professionals from around the globe for an evening dedicated to excellence, innovation, and achievement. The World Drinks Awards recognises the craftsmanship, creativity, and dedication behind the world's finest drinks. This year's competition saw World's Best titles awarded to both established producers and emerging innovators. Among the winners were Reef Distillers' Espresso Martini and Never Never's Panettone Negroni, alongside exciting brands from newer production regions, including Gullies, Aster, and Teazy. The ceremony also celebrated the global winners of the Icons of Drinks 2026. The Icons honour the people, places, and organisations whose work helps drive the drinks industry forward.
At the close of the evening, Paragraph Publishing managing director Damian Riley- Smith welcomed Daniel Szor, founder and CEO of the Cotswolds Distillery, into the Hall of Fame. Szor established the first full-scale distillery in the Cotswolds in 2014 and has played a pivotal role in the growth of English whisky. Under his leadership, the Cotswolds Distillery has become one of the UK's leading premium spirits producers, exporting to more than 30 countries. He currently serves as chair of the English Whisky Guild and was installed as the 378th Master of the Worshipful Company of Distillers in 2025.
Anita Ujszaszi, awards director, commented: "The announcement of the World's Best winners is a special moment every year, as these winners represent the absolute pinnacle of drinks craftsmanship. This year's winners embody not only exceptional quality, but also the diversity, innovation, and heritage that define today's global drinks industry. The same can be said for our Icons of Drinks winners, whose
contributions continue to shape the future of the sector."
David T Smith, category chair, also commented: "It's been another incredible year for the World Drinks Awards and what excites me most is the increasing quality and innovation we are seeing across categories, countries, and continents. The passion for creating and sharing outstanding spirits and drinks is thriving around the world."
Rosie Milsom, category chair, added: "It’s been such a joy to be part of the judging again this year. What always stands out to me is just how much the quality continues to improve year on year. Having judged for the awards over a number of years now, you can really see that shift across so many categories and from all over the world. Being able to give direct feedback to brands and producers is such an important part of that. It’s not just about awarding medals, it’s about helping push the industry forward.
"There’s also a huge amount of work that goes into making the awards happen. From the team behind the scenes to the judges on the panels, there’s so much care, energy and, attention that goes into every stage. You really feel that passion in the room, and it’s what makes the whole thing so special. It’s always a real pleasure to be involved."
To view all winners and medallists, visit
here.
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