Following an extremely close competition last night, Patrón Tequila has crowned Anneliese Grazioli from Hot Tamale in Darwin as the winner of the Australian and New Zealand Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition.
The finals were held at Panama Dining Room in Fitzroy, Melbourne and were attended by 100 media, trade and VIP guests from across the nation.
The five talented bartenders presented their best Patrón cocktail creation in front of an expert panel of judges that after a long deliberation announced Grazioli with her cocktail, ‘Over & Above’ as the front runner based on appearance, originality, service and flavour.
The judging panel consisted of special guest judge, the creator of Tommy’s margarita and expert on agave – Julio Bermejo, Director of International Marketing at Patrón Tequila.
Grazioli won over judges with her cocktail ‘Over & Above’, which was based on a Manhattan with a twist and includes Patrón Anejo, mango skin vermouth, Patrón Citrónge Mango, martini bitter and lemon myrtle olive oil.
“My cocktail was inspired by anyone and everyone that goes over and above to share agave with the world,” she said.
“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” Grazioli said.
She is thrilled at the opportunity to take her career to the next level and follow in the footsteps of her colleague from Hot Tamale, David Robinson who previously won the Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition in 2017.
Hot Tamale’s bar features more than 300 agave spirits, the largest selection in Australia.
Judge Matthew Sykes said: “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 travel to Patrón Hacienda in Mexico and represent Australia in the global finals in January 2020.
Her win follows Abby Wegener, from Hades Hula House in South Australia, representing Australia in the 2018 Patrón Perfectionists global finals.
It’s been a huge week for Grazioli, who also competed in the T25 Bartenders competition in Sydney on Monday night, she travelled straight to Melbourne from the event to compete in Patrón Perfectionists.
