Ben Branson, founder of Diageo non-alcoholic spirit Seedlip, has launched Sylva, a non-alcoholic distillery and maturation lab at his home in Essex.

Diageo has announced three new partnerships to help build resilience within smallholder communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, as part of its innovation accelerator, Diageo Sustainable Solutions (DSS).

Pernod Ricard has reported organic sales decline of -1% for the fiscal year ending June 2024.

RTD brand Whitebox Cocktails has collaborated with Irish airline Aer Lingus to offer three varieties to business class passengers.

The Sydney Morning Herald has published an investigation into high profile Australian bar and restaurant group Swillhouse, which alleges multiple incidents of sexual harassment and assault, including rape, as well as drug abuse by Swillhouse employees.

Partnering with Bar Convent Berlin (BCB), OurWhisky, the non-profit organisation founded by Becky Paskin, will curate the education programme at this year’s Whisk(e)y Embassy.

Independent cognac house Hine has appointed SipWell to drive its travel retail presence across the UK, US and Asia.

Skrewball peanut butter whiskey liqueur has entered Australia and New Zealand in partnership with Pernod Ricard.

Diageo reported a net sales decline of 1.4% to $20.3 billion for the year end 30 June 2024 which the company pinned on unfavourable foreign exchange and inflation.

Launched in 2023 in Milan, red berry aperitif Cordusio has achieved B Corp status for its social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

The Drinks Trust charity has added five new members to its board of trustees – Jennie Baernreuther, Ian Bray, Tim Clay, Paul Haslam and Tony Watson.

Hanna Lee Communications has launched a trade-consumer event called New York Bartender Week which will make its debut on 18-24 November 2024.

BrewDog has opened its first bar in Thailand as part of its international expansion drive having already opened venues in Perth, Rotterdam and Denver this year.

Bar Leone from Hong Kong has been named the best bar in Asia at the ninth edition of Asia’s 50 Best Bars in a live ceremony held in Hong Kong.

Toku Saké has appointed Stuart Hudson as head of sales and advocacy, effective as of this month.

There are lists and there are lists – this is how we produced ours, writes Hamish Smith.

Hamish Smith drills down into what makes someone a good candidate for Bar World 100 in association with Perrier.

Monica Berg has been named the most influential figure in the global bar industry, according to Bar World 100 2024 in association with Perrier.

Seoul’s Dohyung ‘Demie’ Kim, co-founder of Zest, No.5 on Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2023 and No.18 on The World’s 50 Best Bars 2023, has been named the winner of the Altos Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2024.

The Labour Party’s plan for UK high streets aims to replace the business rates system, cutting energy bills and giving communities the ‘right to buy’ community assets, like pubs.

Tokyo’s Virtù has been named the winner of the Michter’s Art of Hospitality Award as part of Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2024. 

The Millionaires’ Club 2024 has revealed that 44% of the world’s major spirits producers showed volume declines in 2023 as global recession and inflation takes effect.

Applications have now opened for The World’s 50 Best Bars Roku Scholarship 2024 and will remain open for two weeks.

Danilo Frigulti from Viajante87 bar in London has won the World Class GB finals, and will go on to represent Great Britain at the global finals in Shanghai in September.

Röda Huset bartender Karl Jacob Anders Ekman reportedly fell to his death in the early hours of Wednesday 15 May in the Trastevere neighbourhood of Rome.

The World’s 50 Best Bars ceremony, sponsored by Perrier, will be held in Madrid, Spain on Tuesday, 22 October 2024.

The headline act in our newly launched Cocktail Report, this latest edition of our bestselling classics list is the result of a poll of award-nominated or award-winning bars from around the world.  

Drinks International has launched The Cocktail Report 2024.

Lyaness bartender Alexandra ‘Lexie’ Constantinescu has passed away while on holiday in Cuba after competing in a cocktail competition.

Mexico City’s Handshake Speakeasy took the top spot in the live awards ceremony of North America’s 50 Best Bars held in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, last night.

Satan’s Whiskers took the title of Best Bar in the UK at the CLASS Bar Awards 2024, which took place last night (16 April) at Battersea Arts Centre in London.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has announced the launch of a new Level 2 Award in Sake from April 2024.

Monica Berg has been awarded with the Parabere Care Award for best practice in business, including fair and ethical conditions, and managing wellness across teams.

The UK government has announced a freeze on alcohol duty in the Spring Budget which was declared on Wednesday 6 March.

Actor Cate Blanchett has joined Toku Saké as creative director where she will direct the strategy of the brand, including new product development and innovation.

Pernod Ricard reported a -3% decline of both organic sales and organic profit from recurring operations for the first half of the financial year 2024.

Fine wine and spirits retailer Berry Bros. & Rudd has released plans to open a new spirits shop in London this April.

This is a category which has fallen out of favour with consumers but found its place in bartenders’ repertoires.

For eight years running one brand has topped the chart, but bars are split over preference for Peruvian or Chilean brands.

Massively popular in its domestic market, this spirit hasn’t so far held the global imagination to the same extent.

Maura and Alex Lawrence Milia and Walter Meyenburg have announced the formation of a Mexico City-based bar group, MWA. 

Argo at Four Seasons Hong Kong – number 34 in The World’s 50 Best Bars - will take over Amaro bar in London’s South Kensington on 30 January.

One company dominates this list, being the owner of ­five of the bestselling brands.

­The often-hidden ingredient in many cocktails, bitters’ lack of visibility doesn’t mean they don’t hold a meaningful place.

While Italian brands dominate, other countries are producing top-class vermouths to round out the o­ffering for bartenders.

Although a relative newcomer to international bars, mezcal has certainly broadened its reach in this year’s list.

Familiar faces continue to dominate although there has been a bit of a reshu­ffle for this category’s rankings.

Porto Cruz has launched Cruz Fresco Pink & Tonic, a ready-to-drink, low-abv drink made with Porto Cruz Pink port and tonic water with natural aromas.

The Wine & Spirit Education Trust has announced its first beer courses which are set to begin February 2024.