The World Drinks Awards has announced that the round one winners for the World Drinks Awards 2025.
The winners were revealed at The Great Hospital, a historic venue in the heart of Norwich, UK.
There was an exceptional range from an incredibly diverse range of drinks producers and global industry professionals and the event was attended by distillers, brand ambassadors, sales teams, educators, writers, marketing teams, and the expert judging panel.
The 2025 competition saw thousands of entries across all drinks categories and the next and final stage of the competition will see the round one winners compete against one another to determine which entries deserve the World’s Best title.
The World’s Best winners will be announced on 4 June 2025.
The World Drinks Awards 2025 categories include:
o Absinthe
o Aquavit
o Armagnac
o Baijiu
o Brandy
o Cachaca
o Calvados
o Champagne
o Cognac
o Flavoured Spirits & Speciality
o Gin
o Grain Spirit
o Grappa
o Liqueur
o Mezcal
o No & Low
o Pastis
o Pisco
o Premix
o Rum
o Sherry
o Sparkling Wine
o Speciality Cocktail Products
o Tequila
o Vermouth
o Vodka
New Zealand medal winners include:
Gold – Country Winner
Awildian, Coromandel Dry Gin, 47%
Eliza’s Claim Gold Gin, Contemporary, 47%
Awildian, Coromandel Dry Gin, 47%
Roots Gin, Rosso Pinot Noir Gin, 37.5%
Awildian, Coromandel Manuka Gin, 48%
Curiosity Gin, Curious Dry, 40%
Curiosity Gin, Pinot Barrel Sloe, 27%
ThunderDonk, Spiced Maple, 33%
Rifters, Royal, 57.7%
Wild Rain, Vodka, 43%
Imagination, Triple Distilled Vodka, 40%
Gold
Rakiura Distilling Co, Third Island Gin, 46.5%
Rifters, Original Dry, 42%
Silver
Broken Heart, Absinthe, 50%
Imagination Distilling, Triple Distilled Dry Gin, 42%
Agatha’s Tears, Dark Gin, 47%
Roots Gin, Norwester Navy Strength, 54.5%
Roots Gin, Marlborough Dry Gin, 45%
Third Island Gin, Navy Strength, 57.4%
ThunderDonk, Salted Caramel, 33%
The Cambridge Distillery Co., Velvet Vodka, 40%
Pals, Vodka, Pineapple, Lime & Soda, 5%
Pals, Vodka, Pink Guava, Lime & Soda, 5%
Bronze
Pals, Vodka, Pink Lemon & Soda, 5%
Little Biddy, Classic Gin, 40%
Papaiti Gin, Whanganui Dry, 45%
Imagination Distilling, Navy Strength London Dry Gin, 57%
Pals, Mango Margarita, 5.8%
Broken Heart, Vodka, 40%
Awards Director Anita Ujszaszi says the results showcase another amazing year.
“Entries for The World Drinks Awards have increased every year and global industry professionals continue to join us on the judging panel to taste exceptional products from all over the world,” she says. “Well done to all the winners so far and best of luck for the final round!”
How to catch up with The Shout NZ…
Online, updated daily with its own unique content and breaking news.
Our weekly newsletter – free to your inbox! Subscribe here.
We are also on Facebook and Instagram!
