Words by Jane Ryan
Australia has some of the world's most inventive and creative bartenders - something Patrón tequila revealed when they put a call out for recipes as part of their Patrón Perfectionist cocktail competition. Now 30 drinks have made the next round - and YOU can decide who goes on to represent our country in Mexico.
It wasn't just Aussies who were asked either, countries across the world from Mexico to the UK also submitted their best tequila cocktail recipe. Here, bartenders responded from all our states and territories with innovative and modern recipes which were narrowed down to 50, and then to the below 30 final drinks.
These aren't just another version of a Margarita (although there's some delicious sours here for Margarita fans) but brand new tequila cocktails sourced in our best cities.
You can now try these tasty tequila cocktails in-venue or shake them up yourself and decide which is the best one. The most popular drink – based on YOUR VOTE – is sending its creator across to the global finals in Mexico. So which tequila cocktail do you think best represents Australia?
As added incentive to get you ordering these in bars or making them after work, we’re asking everyone to upload pictures of the drinks to go into the running for a stunning Tepotztli handmade and illustrated shaker from Mexico (similar to the one pictured above) and a bottle of Patrón tequila - making every night an ideal tequila cocktail night at your place. Make sure to tag @diffordsguideau and include the hashtags #patronperfectionists #patronperfectionistsau #patron
TEAL
With: Patrón Silver tequila, fino sherry, simple syrup, fresh lime juice, fresh celery juice, kiwifruit and vanilla extra virgin olive oil.
Where can you order it? Cantina OK!, Sydney
Bartender: Harrison Kenney
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Teal here.
UNITY
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, shiraz, ginger syrup, fresh lemon juice and raspberry jam.
Where can you order it? Dead Ringer, Sydney
Bartender: Sion Roberts
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Unity here.
VAMANOS FIZZ
With: Patrón Silver tequila, greek yoghurt, honey syrup, Yellow Chartreuse and egg white.
Where can you order it? The Swinging Cat, Sydney
Bartender: Ross Appleby
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Vamanos Fizz here.
MABRAYA
With: Patrón Silver tequila, freshly pressed pineapple juice, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and banana mix (Pisang Rai).
Where can you order it? Bodhi Restaurant Bar, Sydney
Bartender: I Putu Dedik Suarjana
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Mabraya here.
NOCHES COMO ESTAS
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, pineapple infused agave syrup, mango black tea and creme of coconut.
Where can you order it? The Duke of Clarence, Sydney
Bartender: Kelham Waterfield
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Noches Como Estas here.
THE JOURNEY
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Martini Bianco vermouth, pineapple shrub, lime peel and Peychaud's bitters.
Where can you order it? Barangaroo House, Sydney
Bartender: Pauric Kennedy
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for The Journey here.
THE BRIGHTSIDE
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, fresh lemon juice, lapsang souchong, honey & ginger syrup.
Where can you order it? Duke of Clarence, Sydney
Bartender: Benjamin Walsh
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for The Brightside here.
GULF STREAM
With: Patrón Silver tequila, Bacardi Spiced rum, crème de banane, pomegranate syrup, orange blossom water and Peychaud's Bitters.
Where can you order it? Sarino, Sydney
Bartender: Jacob Wicks
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Gulf Stream here.
MAMACITA
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Lillet Blanc, fresh lemon juice, ginger sugar syrup, honey syrup, soy sauce and fresh coriander leaves.
Where can you order it? Memphis Slims House Of Blues, Adelaide
Bartender: Grace Rawlins
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Mamacita here.
SABROSA
With:Patrón Añejo tequila, fresh dill, fresh cucumber, fino sherry, sauvignon blanc, honey syrup and olive oil.
Where can you order it? Extra Chicken Salt, Adelaide
Bartender: Thomas Sykes
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Sabrosa here.
EL MUERTO
With: Patrón Añejo tequila, Cynar, lapsang souchong tea, sugar syrup, orange bitters and absinthe.
Where can you order it? Shotgun Willie's, Adelaide
Bartender: Matthew Blyth
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for El Muerto here.
BATTA DE JALISCO
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Coco Lopez cream of coconut, sake, white dreme de cacao liqueur, Branca Menta and fresh Thai basil.
Where can you order it? Memphis Slim’s House of Blues, Adelaide
Bartender: Talis Heggart
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Batta de Jalisco here.
SUMMER OF JORGE
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, calvados, apricot brandy, agave syrup, fresh lemon Juice and aromatic bitters.
Where can you order it? Bar Torino, Adelaide
Bartender: Nicholas Favaro
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Summer of Jorge here.
OLD FRIENDS
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Green Chartreuse liqueur, fresh kiwi fruit, agave syrup, fresh lemon juice and basil.
Where can you order it? Bank Street Social, Adelaide
Bartender: Georgia Edmonds
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Old Friends here.
REMINISCENT
With: Patrón Añejo tequila, Yellow Chartreuse, Coco Lopez coconut cream infusion, fresh lemon juice, chilli oil, thyme and basil.
Where can you order it? Bank Street Social, Adelaide
Bartender: Marcus Pascoe
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Reminiscent here.
MR KANG'S CORNNOG
With: Patrón Resposado tequila, Amaro Montenegro, pedro ximenez sherry, agave nectar, sweetcorn milk, cream and egg.
Where can you order it? Loft, Byron Bay
Bartender: Minh Le
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Mr Kang's CornNog here.
BOUND
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, roasted peach verjuice, fresh lemon juice and macerated peach reduction.
Where can you order it? Blue Kahunas, Newcastle
Bartender: Ashley Miller
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Bound here.
TWENTY FOUR
With: Patrón Silver tequila, manzanilla sherry, green mango and honeydew syrup and jalapeno oil.
Where can you order it? Coda & Tonka Restaurants, Melbourne
Bartender: Surekha Krishnan
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Twenty Four here.
LISTO
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, fino sherry, green apple cordial, fresh lime juice, black pepper and absinthe.
Where can you order it? Dessous, Melbourne
Bartender: Kristian Leombruni
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Listo here.
SILVER DAISY
With: Patrón Silver tequila, fresh lime juice, jasmine and green tea simple syrup and fresh mandarin orange juice.
Where can you order it? Capitano, Melbourne
Bartender: Corina Retter
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for the Silver Daisy here.
CATRINA
With: Patron Reposado tequila, blackberry and pepper condensed milk, fresh lime juice and absinthe.
Where can you order it? Mjolner, Melbourne
Bartender: Ava Govanstone
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Catrina here.
A PERFECT PEARING
With: Patrón Añejo tequila, spiced-agave syrup with cinnamon, vanilla pod and star anise, fresh fig, and orange bitters.
Where can you order it? LOVER, Melbourne
Bartender: Miriam Wahlhuetter
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for A Perfect Pearing here.
CASA DEL JIMADOR
With: Patrón Silver tequila, fino sherry, Braulio Amaro Alpino, strawberry syrup, chilled black tea and balsamic vinegar.
Where can you order it? Eau de Vie, Melbourne
Bartender: Aiden Rodriquez
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Casa Del Jimador here.
PAPA PADRE
Wtih: Patrón Reposado tequila, homemade aromatised wine with lime, honey, fennel and jasmine and Angostura bitters.
Where can you order it? Bar Clara, Melbourne
Bartender: Tom Gibbs
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Papa Padre here.
INSPIRACION 1492
Wtih: Patrón Añejo tequila, Martini Bitter, hibiscus syrup, jalapeno tincture and salin solution.
Where can you order it? Hot Tamale, Darwin
Bartender: Pravin Phuyal
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Inspiracion 1492 here.
LA CAPITANA
Wtih: Patrón Reposado tequila, honey infused with roasted cherry tomatoes and thyme, fresh lime juice and roasted cherry tomato juice.
Where can you order it? The Trader Bar, Darwin
Bartender: Niccolo Maffezzoni
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for La Capitana here.
DEL HOGAR
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, fresh pink grapefruit juice, fresh lemon juice , Cynar, manzanilla sherry and Jack Rudys grenadine.
Where can you order it? Savile Row, Brisbane
Bartender: David Brosnan
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Del Hogar here.
HOMESPUN
With: Patrón Reposado tequila, Lillet Blanc, orange marmalade, vanilla sugar syrup and fresh lemon juice.
Where can you order it? Cielo Rooftop, Brisbane
Bartender: Rebecca Bayley
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for Homespun here.
EL VERDE FRESCO
With: Patrón Silver tequila, fresh lime juice, fresh apple juice, orgeat, green bell pepper, mint and soda.
Where can you order it? Bisou Bisou, Brisbane
Bartender: Liam Shephard
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for El Verde Fresco here.
A SUNNY AFTERNOON
With: Patrón Silver tequila, pomegranate juice, fresh lemon juice, honey syrup, prosecco and pink grapefruit soda.
Where can you order it? The Gresham, Brisbane
Bartender: Daniella Darakis
Make it at home: See the recipe and vote for A Sunny Afternoon here.
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