Winning in style

Dundee bartender set to take on the UK’s best in contest for Patrón tequila

Cocktail queen: Sarah outside Panda & Sons

A DUNDEE bartender will compete against rivals from  across Britain after making the UK finals of a cocktail competition for Patrón tequila.

Sarah Berardi of Draffens beat ten other bartenders from Scotland to progress to the UK final of the Patrón Perfectionists competition, which will be held in London on September 10.

The UK final will see Sarah square off against finalists from Leeds, Exeter, Bristol, East London and Soho, for a chance to compete in the competition’s global final in Mexico.

The Scottish heat, held this month at Edinburgh cocktail bar Panda & Sons, was judged by a panel that included Panda owner Iain McPherson, bartender Mike McGinty, who was global winner of the competition in 2016, and UK brand ambassador Karine Tillard.

Sarah’s drink, The Cocktail Discovery

“The level of talent in the Scotland bar scene is absolutely unreal, it was a total honour to watch and compete alongside everyone,” said Sarah.

“I am so thankful for this opportunity, and it’s even more amazing that there are four women in the UK finals as well. I can’t wait to compete in London, and hopefully I can bring it back home for Scotland!”

Sarah’s winning cocktail, The Cocktail Discovery, contained 50ml Patrón Añejo tequila with 30ml rose hip, hibiscus and tablet syrup, four dashes of bee pollen and charred orange tincture. All ingredients were shaken until cold, strained into a chilled coup glass and garnished with a manicured orange peel and Scottish sea salt spritz.