London hotel bar The Artesian at The Langham was named the World’s Best Bar at the 8th edition of Tales of the Cocktail festival.

Bartender Simone Caporale also snagged the title of International Bartender of the Year, while The Artesian scooped up two more awards in categories such as Best International Hotel Bar and Best International Bar Team.

Under the direction of head bartender Alex Kratena, the upscale lounge elevates cocktails into a sensory, artistic and gastronomic experience that has included everything from opium incense to inflated pillows, smoke and mirrors.

Other major international winners at the event include 28 Hong Kong Street in Singapore, which took the title of Best International Cocktail Bar;

The Aviary in Chicago for World’s Best Cocktail Menu; and The Dead Rabbit in New York, which took the title of World’s Best Drinks Selection.

The Artesian has launched a new cocktail menu under the theme “Unfolding and Exploring,” that includes gemstones, larch, leather mushrooms and parsnip. Cocktails are designed to unfold throughout the drinking experience.

The ‘Will of the Woods’ is described as a liquid forest, made with Glenlivet, Vermouth, larch, mushrooms, citrus and honey, served in a wooden drinking bowl.

And the ‘Selfie Compatible’ is a vaporized cocktail that contains Ron Zacapa 23 Floc De Gascogne, Verjus, Beer and Bitters.

The Artesian is also the reigning champion for the second year running on the World’s 50 Best Bars list.