BRING HOME THE PRIZE!

Josh Hendricks is the winner of PATRÓN Perfectionists, a global bartending competition

Josh Hendricks has been named South Africa’s PATRÓN cocktail master after clinching top honours at this year’s PATRÓN Perfectionists, a global bartending competition which gives mixologists a platform to show off their skills as they strive for perfection in their craft. The South African leg of the competition took place over two rounds and saw the finalists whip up two PATRÓN-inspired cocktails. As the winner, the 26-year-old head bartender at Fable in Cape Town will join 14 other global finalists in May 2024 for an experience-filled week as part of the final leg of the global bartending competition at Hacienda PATRÓN, the distillery where PATRÓN is made in Atotonilco El Alto, Jalisco, Mexico.

What does winning South Africa’s ultimate cocktail PATRÓN Perfectionists mean to you?

I go into challenges with a goal. This time my goal was to get as far as possible in the competition. I put a lot of effort into it. People don’t focus on bartenders and take note of what they do unless an international guest is bartending or there’ sa competition. Winning a competition usually means that people take you more seriously. To enter the competition you had to create a PATRÓN Margarita De Mexico cocktail which integrates a Mexican ingredient and a Paloma cocktail (tequila, lime juice, and a grapefruit juice or soda) for two people, celebrating the essence of the Paloma.

What did you create, what inspired it and what’s in it?

For the margarita challenge I used PATRÓN Silver – the perfect base for a margarita — with fresh mint which was my Mexican ingredient. I used that as my main feature with cucumber cordial, fresh lime, beetroot pickle and jalapeño tincture garnished with a rice cracker chicharrón, which is like pork crackling but I made it vegan so anyone can order it. I wanted a contrast between savoury from the beetroot pickle, jalapeño tincture and chicharrón and fresh flavours from the cucumber, mint and agave.

The second challenge was based on the first. We were challenged to make a cordial based on a city and create a story behind it. Mine was Cape Town-themed. We often see sunset images of Cape Town on Instagram — I replicated these images in the drink by creating a silhouette on the glass with a light underneath it which shows table mountain and the city. The cordial included flavours from some of the cultures that have had an influence on the city — Madagascar, Java, Malaysia, Southeast Asia. Flavours like galangal, lime leaf, teamwood pepper. It’s an aromatic cordial elevated with PATRÓN Reposado, grapefruit-infused bergamot liqueur, a hibiscus syrup and completed with a rose petal salt rim. It’s floral, fresh and has a nice dry finish.

As South Africa’s winning finalist you’ll fly to Mexico next year to participate in the final, global leg of the competition. What are you hoping to learn from the experience?

I’d like to get to the highest point of bartending in South Africa. I want to bring the prize home and to have an international career in this field.

Do you think PATRÓN Perfectionists enhances the bar industry in South Africa?

Competitions like PATRÓN Perfectionists play a big role in the industry because they allow winners to showcase their passion rather than merely making drinks at work. Some bartenders make simple, classic drinks at work but behind the scenes they experiment. They have an opportunity to do that if there’s a stage to showcase their creations. It also inspires other bartenders. The bar industry is small and there isn’t much mentorship. South Africa isn’t considered a cocktail destination. We’ve been flying under the radar but South Africans are going to make their break soon.

As a mixologist, what do you enjoy about using tequila in your cocktails?

It’s versatility. Good tequila can be served neat on the rocks but if you use it in a mix you can go from fresh to spiritforward or dry or more like an Old Fashioned, Martini, Margarita or Daiquiri. It falls into all categories. That’s why it’s the number one trending spirit in the world at the moment.

What’s your preferred way of drinking PATRÓN Tequila? I enjoy a classic margarita with fresh lime and Cointreau.

To stay updated with the PATRÓN Perfectionists and follow the development of the programme, go to academiapatron.com/patronperfectionists