Last night Storm Evans of Cantina OK!, Sydney, was crowned the winner of the 2023 PATRÓN Perfectionists Australian Cocktail Competition. Finalists competed in two challenges over two days in Sydney, culminating in a celebration and winner’s announcement party that took place at the award-winning bar El Primo Sanchez.
Storm’s delicious cocktails, Prima and Palomè were presented alongside the creations of nine other competitors from across Australia. Congratulations again to all our finalists.
- Benjamin Thomson from The Rechabite in Perth
- Finn Sugrue from Nectar in Geelong
- Jarah Retana from El Primo Sanchez in Sydney
- Kayla Saito from the The Mulberry Group (Hazel, Dessous, La Cantina, Common Ground Project, Liminal) in Melbourne
- Leah Dunnigan from Bar Planet in Sydney
- Martin McConnell from Frog’s Hollow Saloon in Brisbane
- Nick Corletto from Maybe Mae in Adelaide
- Samuel Cocks from RE Bar in Sydney
- Storm Evans from Cantina OK! in Sydney
- Tom Opie from The Waratah in Sydney
The entry challenge, Paint the World PATRÓN Paloma, asked bartenders to create a PATRÓN Paloma, worthy of their favourite global city and of PATRÓN Tequila’s unwavering commitment to the highest quality ingredients. Featuring PATRÓN Reposado, soda water, a creative cordial flavoured as the bartender likes, grapefruit in some form, and inspired by their city of choice. Storm’s created Palomè inspired by the wonderful city of Heroica Veracruz, the citrus port of Mexico.
Andrew Woods, PATRÓN Tequila senior commercial execution manager said: “What an amazing two days and national final, congratulations to all of our top 10 but as always there can only be one winner! Storm’s presentation skills, enthusiasm and overall drink concept for both challenges is what got him over the line in what was a very tight final. I can’t wait for Storm to experience a trip of a lifetime to Mexico for the Global finals in 2024 and hopefully deliver a win for Australia!”
For the final judging competitors then put a group serve twist on their entry challenge cocktail. Taking the PATRÓN Paloma they previously created as a canvas, the ten finalists were asked to create a serve ritual for two people that celebrates the essence of the Paloma in a shared serve.
The second final round that competitors completed was the Margaria De Mexico and resulted in spectacular cocktails being presented to our esteemed judges – Alex Boon, Millie Tang, Sam Bygrave and Loy Catada. Taking a classic PATRÓN Margarita as their base, the bartenders were asked to celebrate Mexico by integrating a Mexican ingredient, creating a new iteration of this much-loved cocktail.
Storm masterfully presented his cocktail Prima showcasing Jicama Respados.
Andrew Woods, PATRÓN Tequila senior commercial execution manager said: “What an amazing two days and national final, congratulations to all of our top 10 but as always there can only be one winner! Storm’s presentation skills, enthusiasm and overall drink concept for both challenges is what got him over the line in what was a very tight final. I can’t wait for Storm to experience a trip of a lifetime to Mexico for the Global finals in 2024 and hopefully deliver a win for Australia!”
Enjoy Storm’s winning cocktails.
Palomè Paloma
45mL PATRÓN Reposado
30mL Salmiana Spiked Grapefruit Cordial
60mL Soda
Garnish: Jellied Ruby Grapefruit Wedge & Whole Mandarin Sherbet
Prima Margarita
50mL PATRÓN Blanco
30mL Lime Juice
15mL Achiote Elote Syrup
Garnish: Jicama Respados (Shaved Ice)
The Australian winner had their name carved into the Perfectionists champions trophy, received $5000, and a trip of a lifetime to Hacienda PATRÓN in 2024 for an experience-filled week with their fellow global finalists, a surprise panel of global mentors, judges, and the Familia PATRÓN in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.
Congratulations again to Storm and all the PATRÓN Perfectionists finalists.
About the PATRÓN Perfectionists Bartending Program
The inaugural PATRÓN Perfectionists Cocktail Competition launched in the UK in 2015 and proved so successful that it expanded internationally in 2016 with the 2022 / 2023 edition receiving over 2,500 entries. The competition challenges bartenders to create a cocktail worthy of a perfectionist and a simply perfect customer experience. In September 2022, the program evolved to include a dedicated education program, called “Academia PATRÓN Perfectionists”, and sits under the Academia PATRÓN program umbrella.