Calling All Bartenders! The Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition is On

Twenty countries across five continents are participating in one of the most prestigious and exciting cocktail competitions in the world.

Yes, the Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition is back in the Philippines!

The prestigious competition, which has gained a community of Patrón lovers worldwide, continues to nurture a vast network of bartenders who have elevated tequila-based cocktails and shifted misconceptions around the agave spirit. It also provides an opportunity for the contenders to go through an amazing experience and learn from the best in the industry.

In this year’s virtual format, participants from all around the world* get access to the global stage as they showcase their talents from the safety of their homes. Bartenders are tasked to create the perfect Patrón tequila cocktail using items from a simplified list of up to eight ingredients that are readily available so that the recipe can be replicated by Patrón enthusiasts anywhere for that perfect drink experience.

The Perfectionists 2021/2022 competition is equally unique as it gives consumers a chance to join in the selection process. Once all entries have been accepted, the 30 shortlisted cocktails will be published online at DrinkManila in June 2021. The public will then have the chance to cast their vote for their favorites. This will make up a portion of the final vote. 

The top 10 cocktails will advance to the virtual national finals which will be broadcasted globally. Each of the top 10 bartenders will submit an 8-minute video that tells the story of the drink and guides the panel of four expert judges on how to make it themselves. The winner of each national final will be invited to fly to Mexico on January 2022 for a chance to meet their fellow Perfectionists and compete in the global final at Hacienda Patrón.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Go to PatronPerfectionists.com
2. Upload your personal contact information and bar contact details.
3. Include photographs of your drink, yourself, and your ingredients. Put detailed descriptions of your method, chosen glassware, garnish, and inspiration.

The first round of judging will be based purely on the information that is provided, so be sure to give as much detail as possible, especially regarding the cocktail’s backstory and your own creative process.

“If you want to enter the competition, especially this year, you have to be more personal as possible,” advises Giulia Cuccurullo, winner of the 2020 Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition on a recent Q&A with other former Patrón finalists on Zoom. “So this year, they (bartenders) will make recipes that will be easy to replicate everywhere. But your presentation and your story should be just yours. So the drink is replicable, but not you and your story.”

“Imagine the guests you’ve had that’ve come to the bar who said ‘I don’t like tequila. It gave me a hangover or I’ve had too many shots when I was younger and I can’t touch the stuff.’ Now they’re at home and experimenting at home. How would you encourage them to go and get a Patrón to make some great-tasting drinks?” says Nicholas Cox, the global marketing manager of Patrón. “So think back to those customers you’ve had that you’ve turned around and converted from tequila haters to tequila lovers.” 

The Patrón Perfectionists Cocktail Competition entries will open until May 31, 2021.

Sign up to participate through this link.

For updates, follow the progress of the competition on Facebook and PATRONPerfectionists.com.

*Participating countries are Australia, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Canada, Colombia, Germany, Austria, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Spain, UAE, United States of America, United Kingdom.