Discover the World's Top Cocktail Destinations from the 2022 Rankings

Discover the World's Top Cocktail Destinations from the 2022 Rankings - The Global Vanguard: Highlighting the Bars That Topped the 2022 World Rankings

Look, when we talk about the 2022 World Rankings for bars, it wasn't just more of the same; it felt like the tectonic plates of cocktail culture actually shifted. You know that moment when you realize the usual suspects aren't holding the whole crown anymore? That's what happened when Paradiso in Barcelona snagged the number one spot, becoming the first place outside of London or New York to ever do it in the history of this list—a really big deal for cocktail geeks like us. And that geographical realignment didn't stop there, did it? Think about Alquímico in Cartagena, Colombia, just rocketing from way down at 47 to crack the top 10 at number 8; that kind of jump screams that South American mixology is suddenly operating at an elite level, not just showing up. Plus, Asia solidified its presence with BKK Social Club in Bangkok debuting straight into the top 10 at number 10, which tells you innovation is bubbling up everywhere, not just the usual spots. We also saw a lot of movement overall, with 14 brand new entries showing up, which honestly suggests a whole new wave of talent is finally breaking through after everything calmed down a bit. Many of these winners, including Paradiso, were getting really clever, using things like rotovaps and centrifuges—stuff you usually hear about in a lab, not a shaker—to create flavors we hadn't tasted before. It really spread out too, with excellent bars showing up from 26 different cities, even welcoming newcomers like Locale Firenze in Florence, proving that world-class mixing isn't confined to just a handful of metropolitan hubs anymore.

Discover the World's Top Cocktail Destinations from the 2022 Rankings - North American Hotspots: A Look at the Best Bars in Miami and Calgary from the Rankings

Okay, so we've talked about the global upheaval in those 2022 rankings, but let's bring it closer to home for a second, right here in North America, because things got pretty interesting stateside and up north too. You know how sometimes a city just quietly builds up this incredible scene without making a ton of noise? Well, Miami seems to be that place right now, quietly cementing its spot as a serious player in the cocktail game, even if the broader city rankings don't always shout about it. And honestly, I was kind of surprised—maybe it's just me, but I didn't expect to see Calgary popping up on these "best of" lists with the same kind of frequency, yet here we are. We're seeing these two completely different vibes, one sunny and flashy, the other maybe a bit more rugged, both apparently churning out world-class drinks according to what people are saying. I'm trying to figure out what's fueling Calgary's rise specifically; is it new talent moving in, or are the existing spots just finally getting the global recognition they deserve? Because, think about it this way: these rankings aren't just popularity contests; they often reflect serious technique and ingredient sourcing, so having both Miami and Calgary represented suggests a real depth across different regional scenes we can't ignore. We're not just talking about a single standout place, either; these aren't one-hit wonders, but entire cities showing up on the radar, which means we've got some real digging to do on what makes those specific local ingredients or bar philosophies tick. We'll have to dig into what those specific Calgary entries were doing differently because, frankly, that's where the genuine surprise—and maybe the next big trend—is hiding.