Boon of Pearl Diver Cocktail & Oysters in Melbourne was one of 15 finalists who competed in the final event at Hacienda Patrón in Mexico.

The final event was held from 24 to 30 March and saw participants tasked with three cocktail challenges exploring Patrón and its history.

Mor Koral of Tel Aviv’s Cocktail Kitchen took out the top spot as global winner after receiving the highest cumulative score across the three challenges.

Boon won the second challenge named ‘The Stories We Share’ where participants were tasked with delving into the history of Mexico to create a cocktail using Patrón Silver, Reposado or Añejo.

Boon’s cocktail was inspired by an Aztec story of love and explored the relationship tequila has with the characters and their story of passion.

“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,” says Boon.

“This year the talent was on another level and I’m proud to have won the second challenge and finished within the top three.”

The three cocktail challenges were judged by a panel of industry figures and past competition winners who were announced earlier last month ahead of the final event.

The 15 finalists consisted of bartenders from across the globe, including from Sweden, South Africa, Israel, Greater China, Canada, the UK and US.

Boon was chosen as the Australian finalist after winning the Patrón Perfectionists Australian cocktail competition at the end of last year.

Boon competed against nine other Australian bartenders across two days at the final in Sydney last November.

The Patrón Perfectionists cocktail competition launched in the UK in 2015 and expanded to become a global event the following year.

Last year, the competition expanded again to also include an educational program called Academia Patrón Perfectionists.