Alex Boon, from Melbourne’s Pearl Diver Cocktails & Oysters, had a strong performance in the global Patrón Perfectionists cocktail contest, winning the second challenge.
This challenge was one of three tackled by contestants, and had the title ‘the Stories We Share’, asking bartenders to produce a tequila cocktail inspired by the history and culture of Mexico.
Alex’s drink retold the story of Popocatepetl and Iztaccíhuatl (sometimes called the ‘Aztec Romeo and Juliet’), two doomed lovers, denied their chance while mortal, but eternally bound as volcanoes. Alex’s drink used the tale to express his own passion for tequila.
The cocktail created by Alex was made from Patron Silver, and featured: fermented and fresh cherry, Spanish sherry, verjuice, pasilla (a dried chilli), jalapeño and whey. The cocktail was carbonated and served alongside an edible cherry made out of fresh cherry, vanilla and PX sherry, which was coated in cacao butter to create texture in the palate.
Alex, who was the Australian Patrón Perfectionists national champion, reflected upon his experience in Mexico.
“I am so incredibly thankful to Patrón for having me at the Hacienda. I met so many talented bartenders from across the world who each brought something unique to the Global Finals,” he said.
“This year the talent was on another level and I’m proud to have won the second challenge and finished within the top three.”
For the Patrón Perfectionists competition, bartenders from around the world travelled to the brand’s Hacienda in Mexico.
Here they were mentored by a team of hospitality professionals, consisting of: Ivy Mix, LP O’Brien, Tara Fougner, Sandrae Lawrence, Haba Flores, Ana Martorell, and previous Patrón Perfectionists global champion Giulia Cuccurullo and last year’s global champion, Australian Harrison Kenney (Bar Planet). This group of experts also formed the judging panel, with the contest taking place between 24 and 30 March.
The overall contest was won by Mor Koral, the founder of the Cocktail Kitchen company in Tel Aviv. Mor had the highest cumulative score across the three challenges, and triumphed over 14 other bartenders.
A full list of finalists, and their social media handles, can be found below.
PATRÓN PERFECTIONISTS GLOBAL FINALISTS 2023
- Sweden – Jayde Henderson @jaydehendo
- France – Gabriel Pons @gabrielpons_lisavi
- Spain & Portugal – Denys Cherkasov – @denis_chequebarman
- Germany, Austria & Switzerland – Telmo Pacheco – @telmo.noidea
- Italy – Andrea Benvegna – @mr.welcome
- UAE – Kaleb Berry – @kalebbarryy
- South Africa – Sabrina Traubner @sabrinatraubner
- Israel – Mor Koral @morko.koral
- Greater China – Lola Lau @lolasaysgo
- Australia – Alex Boon @doonbocksaint_
- Mexico – Adam Alvarado @adamabam123
- UK – Max Macauley @maxmacauley
- USA – Logan Demmy @pour_the_oil
- Canada – @dasht______
- Wild Card winner (China) – @choni_song
