Kate Gerwin is a trailblazer in the world of cocktails and hospitality, known for her remarkable accomplishments as both a bartender and a consultant. As the first woman to win a global bartending championship, a James Beard Semi Finalist, Bartender of the Year, Finalist for Best Mentor and more...
 

Kate’s career has been a whirlwind of groundbreaking achievements. But her journey is far more than a series of trophies—it’s a testament to her creativity, expertise, and tireless dedication to the craft. With over 20 years of experience, Kate has earned a spot on Drinks International’s list of the “Top 100 Most Influential Figures in the World,” for five years, currently ranking #37. Her accolades span beyond bartending—she is a certified advanced master sommelier, having worked at some of Napa’s most renowned wineries, and has consulted on the hit show Bar Rescue and Netflix’s Drinkmasters where she finished as runner-up. She has also taught at prestigious institutions such as the Le Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale and the New England Culinary Institute, and continues to inspire the next generation of
bartenders as an instructor at the Bar 5 Day program at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park and Flair Camp in Albufeira, Portugal.
 

In 2015, Kate was inducted into the Tales of the Cocktail Hall of Fame Catalyst Awards—one of the few peer-judged honors in the industry—cementing her reputation as a pioneer in the field. But what really fuels her passion is her bar and distillery, Happy Accidents, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Co-founded  with her longtime business partner Blaze Montana in 2021, the bar quickly became a game-changer. It was named Best New American Cocktail Bar twice—at both the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards and the liquor.com Awards—and in 2023, Kate and her team were crowned Best U.S. Bar Team at the Spirited Awards. In 2023, she was also named Bartender of the Year, and Happy Accidents was awarded Bar of the Year at the Bar & Restaurant Expo in Las Vegas in 2024. Kate and Blaze were both named Drinks Industry’s Innovators of the Year by Seven Fifty Daily for their innovative approach to the way they run their business and prioritize staff wellbeing. And 2024 the bar was awarded a Pinnacle Pin for excellence. Most recently, Kate was named a semifinalist for a James Beard award for 2025, with the winners being announced in June and she was also one of Imbibe’s 75 people shaping the future of the industry for 2025.

Kate’s creativity doesn’t stop at the bar: she is designing a custom glassware collection for Onis, a prize from her global win in the 2023 Glassology competition in Athens. Her flair for innovation has also earned her a finalist spot in the Best Bar Mentor and Best American Cocktail Bar categories at this year’s Tales of the Cocktail.

But Kate’s latest adventure has been in front of the camera. Her TV show Free Spirit, which airs on the Very Local platform, is a hit, exploring the diverse and dynamic world of bar culture across the country. It became the top-viewed show in the station’s history, and season two is already in the works. Kate’s infectious enthusiasm, coupled with her deep knowledge and love for the industry, has made her an ambassador for the craft and a true force in the global hospitality scene.
 

In short, Kate Gerwin’s influence spans far beyond the shaker—she’s a mentor, an innovator, and a passionate ambassador for all things cocktail, inspiring both seasoned professionals and aspiring bartenders alike. With a career still on the rise, the world is her stage, and she’s just getting started.