Harrison Kenney from Sydney’s Cantina OK! is the winner of the 2020/21 Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition Australia.
Winning with his original cocktail TEAL, Mr Kenney will now join finalists from 22 countries across the world to represent Australia for the Global Final at Hacienda Patrón, Mexico, in January 2022.
Mr Kenney competed virtually against Sion Roberts (Dead Ringer), Pauric Kennedy (Barangaroo House), Corina Retter (Capitano), Grace Rawlins (Memphis Slim’s), Pravin Phuyal (Hot Tamale), Niccolo Maffezzoni (The Trader Bar), Aiden Rodriquez (Eau de Vie), Rebecca Bayley (Cielo Rooftop), Daniella Darakis (The Gresham).
The virtual competition was hosted in front of a panel of judges including:
- Owner of Coretto, Kurtis Bosley
- Former General Manager of MomoFuku Seiōbo, Kylie Javier Ashton
- Founder of Boothby Drinks, Sam Bygrave
Mr Kenney said, “It’s a privilege to win this prestigious award for a cocktail that I have created, and now to represent Australia, a country that has one of the greatest bar scenes in the world at the Global Final, is a dream come true.
“TEAL is a celebration of the green top notes of Patrón Silver, reminiscent of fresh cut grass, lime zest and eucalyptus. It’s a combination of unexpected ingredients used in a way that is inspired and experience forward. All green ingredients and 100% Blue Agave makes TEAL.”
The original and prize-winning cocktail will be available at Cantina OK! when Covid restrictions lift, or via home delivery of the Patrón Perfectionists Masterclass Bundle at Hairy Dog. Join the special LIVE cocktail masterclass on Friday, 15 October via Facebook Live.
The Winning Recipe: TEAL Recipe by Harrison Kenney (Cantina OK!)
- In a shaker tin:
- 3 x 50 cent size pieces of fresh Kiwifruit 30ml Patrón Silver
- 10ml Fino Sherry
- 20ml Fresh pressed Lime Juice
- 20ml Freshly juiced Celery
- 15ml Simple Syrup 1:1 Shake/Fine Strain To finish:
- 3-5 drops of Vanilla EVOO
Bacardi-Martini Australia Brand Ambassador, 2018 Patrón Perfectionists finalist and judge Joseph Chisholm said, “We judged each cocktail on taste, appearance, inspiration, and originality. Our four judges collectively agreed Harrison Kenney had the best presentation with TEAL and the cocktail felt truly authentic to him, welcoming others to enjoy it.”
Matthew Sykes, Vice President, Global Commercial Execution for PATRÓN and founder of the PATRÓN Perfectionists Cocktail Competition, said: “Every year we are amazed at the creativity that shines through the competition, but what has particularly struck us on this occasion is the participants’ ability to embrace change.
“The new competition format has asked bartenders to use a simplified list of accessible ingredients to allow replicability and engagement for consumers globally. The result is an extra-ordinary collection of PATRÓN creations and stories that have been shared with passion, taking us all on an inspiring journey, at home or at the bar.
“Congratulations to all the brilliant contestants and good luck to Harrison Kenney for the Global Final at Hacienda Patrón, I have no doubt that he will do Australia proud in Mexico with a stellar performance.”
All the PATRÓN Perfectionists Cocktail Competition national finals, including Australia, can be watched on www.facebook.com/patronperfectionists/.
Photo credit: Nikki To
