Harrison Kenney of Cantina OK!, Sydney, has been crowned winner at the 2022 PATRÓN Perfectionists Cocktail Competition global final that took place at Hacienda PATRÓN, Mexico, on 3rd June. Harrison’s outstanding cocktail, Teal, was presented alongside the creations of 14 other competitors hailing from the four corners of the world.
This year’s PATRÓN Perfectionists edition has been innovated with a digital format providing contestants with a global online stage to further showcase their skills. With over 1,700 entries worldwide, each participating country selected the top 30 recipes and called cocktail loving consumers to express their preferences, attracting over 30,000 online votes that shortlisted 10 national finalists. While national finals where hosted and broadcast virtually, the global final honoured the long-standing tradition of travelling to Hacienda PATRÓN, in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico. Finalists flew from all over the world to gather, connect and immerse into the most authentic tequila making culture.
“It’s an overwhelming feeling to be receiving this title among a crowd of such incredible bartenders and humans. I feel honoured to be here at Hacienda PATRÓN where I have had the chance to meet inspiring mentors and make lifelong friends. The PATRÓN Perfectionists has truly been the best journey and I cannot wait to extend it into the year to come by embracing new experiences and learnings with the Familia PATRÓN.” – Harrison Kenney
Harrison and his fellow finalists all created a cocktail recipe – using a prescribed list of ingredients to allow replicability – that reflects PATRÓN’s unwavering commitment to craftsmanship and perfection. The finalists competed in front of an esteemed panel of judges made up of top industry experts including:
- David Rodriguez, PATRÓN Master Distiller
- Giulia Cuccurullo, Head Bartender at Artesian, London, and PATRÓN Perfectionists 2020 Global Winner
- Adam Teeter, Co-Founder and CEO of VinePair
- Anny Barrera, Head Bartender at Semillón, San José del Cabo, Mexico
Harrison Kenney said: “It’s an overwhelming feeling to be receiving this title among a crowd of such incredible bartenders and humans. I feel honoured to be here at Hacienda PATRÓN where I have had the chance to meet inspiring mentors and make lifelong friends. The PATRÓN Perfectionists has truly been the best journey and I cannot wait to extend it into the year to come by embracing new experiences and learnings with the Familia PATRÓN.”
Lauren Mote, Global Manager of Program Excellence for PATRÓN tequila, said: “This year, we elevated the competition to new, creative heights with a digital format that embraced changes to the drinks industry. We were delighted by the participants’ ability to communicate their personal stories alongside their stunning PATRÓN cocktails; this resonated with our global discerning cocktail lovers. Once again, the PATRÓN Perfectionists Program is a testament to how a cocktail competition is fun and helps develop each bartender’s skillset beyond the glass. New, talented bartenders have joined the Familia PATRÓN – becoming part of a global community whose excellence and passion continue to drive tequila culture worldwide. We are extremely proud of all the PATRÓN Perfectionists participants, and our warmest congratulations go to the global winner Harrison Kenney from Australia! Harrison dazzled the crowd and judges with his incredible storytelling, comedic flair and delicious cocktails.”
The PATRÓN Perfectionists Cocktail Competition 2022 edition launched in April 2021 calling for online submissions. Shortlisted entries were published for the public’s vote on PATRÓN Perfectionists with each participating country’s top 10 creations judged at virtual national final broadcast on Facebook.
HARRISON KENNEY’S TEAL RECIPE Ingredients: 40ml PATRÓN Silver 10ml Fino Sherry 15ml Simple Syrup (1:1 water to sugar) 20ml Fresh Pressed Lime Juice 20ml Fresh Pressed Celery Juice 15ml Fresh Pressed Kiwifruit Juice 2 drops Vanilla Olive Oil* *To make the Vanilla Olive Oil - Slice open a vanilla pod, scrape the seeds into 100ml Extra Virgin olive oil, shake and disperse the seeds throughout the oil. Ready to use straight away. Method: In a shaker tin add all ingredients except the Vanilla Olive Oil Shake and fine strain into a chilled Coupe glass Garnish with a couple of drops of the Vanilla Olive Oil.