The 2019 Australia and New Zealand Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition winner was announced after the final took place in Melbourne last night, with Anneliese Grazioli from Hot Tamale in Darwin, taking the title.
The final, which was held ay Panama Dining Room in Fitzroy, saw five bartenders from around Australia present their cocktail creations to the expert panel of judges. That panel special guest judge, the creator of Tommy’s margarita and expert on agave – Julio Bermejo, Director of International Marketing at Patrón Tequila, Matthew Sykes and Editor in Chief of Executive Style, Michael Harry.
Grazioli’s Over & Above cocktail won over the judges, and she said: “My cocktail was inspired by anyone and everyone that goes over and above to share agave with the world. I used Patrón Añejo because I wanted the vibrant agave for the aged notes and mango backed up with some native botanicals to compliment the agave.”
Sykes added: “2019 is a milestone year for the brand, in just five years Patrón Perfectionists has grown from a single country competition in the UK to now a program that spans six continents, and involves more than 32 countries. We are inspiring bartenders to create moments that really matter to consumers, through drinks experiences that surprise and delight them, by creating, then presenting amazing cocktails that showcase the premiumness and versatility of Patrón.“
The 2019 Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition is in its fourth year in Australia and allows bartenders to display their cocktail knowledge and craft using the world’s finest ultra-premium Patrón tequilas.
Grazioli will now travel to Patrón Hacienda in Mexico and represent Australia in the global finals in January 2020.