Hosting a Cocktail Competition with Friends
A recipe for an unforgettable night:
Are you looking for a fun and interactive way to enjoy a night with friends? Hosting a cocktail competition is the perfect blend of creativity, friendly rivalry, and delicious drinks. Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or just looking to shake things up, this guide will help you organize a competition that's sure to be a hit.
Step 1: Set the Stage
Theme Selection
Every great cocktail competition starts with a theme. It could be something as simple as "Tropical Paradise," "Vintage Classics," or "Around the World." The theme will guide your friends in crafting their cocktails and add a fun, cohesive element to the evening. We chose “End of Summer” for our first theme (check out our video of the night at the button below!)
Step 2: Stock Up
Ingredients and Tools
As the host, make sure you provide some bartending tools, knives, cutting boards, glassware, etc., but encourage your guests to bring any specialty items or tools they may need for their cocktail creations. Each individual (or couple, like we did it!) should be in charge of their own ingredients and liquor(s).
Step 3: Let the Mixing Begin
Time to Shake Things Up
Once everyone arrives, give them a set amount of time to craft their cocktails. Depending on the number of participants, 15 to 30 minutes should be enough. Encourage everyone to be creative with their ingredients, presentation, and even the name of their drink.
Presentation is Key
Encourage participants to think beyond just the liquid in the glass. The way a cocktail is presented can significantly enhance its appeal. Whether it's a dramatic garnish, a unique glass, a themed song and entrance, or an unexpected serving style, presentation plays a big role in the competition.
Step 4: Judging and Voting
Categories for Judging
After each individual or couple presents their cocktail, it's time for the most exciting part: the tasting! Each participant will present their cocktail, explaining the inspiration behind it and how it ties into the theme. Then, everyone will taste and score each cocktail based on the following categories:
Taste: How delicious is the cocktail? Does it have a balanced flavor profile?
Presentation: Does the cocktail look appealing? Is it served in an interesting way?
Theme Adherence: How well does the cocktail fit the chosen theme?
Creativity: Is the cocktail unique? Does it feature unexpected ingredients or techniques?
Scoring and Feedback
Provide scorecards where each participant can rate the cocktails on a scale of 1 to 10 for each category. After all the cocktails have been tasted, collect the scorecards and tally the votes. For added fun, encourage everyone to share their thoughts and feedback on each drink before the winner is announced.
Step 5: Announce the Winner
Once the votes are in, it's time to announce the winner! Consider having a small prize for the top mixologist, such as a cocktail shaker set, a bottle of premium spirits, or a fun trophy. Or, let them choose the theme for the next competition!
Bonus Tips for a Memorable Night
Music and Ambiance: Set the mood with a playlist that matches the theme of the night. Whether it's upbeat tropical tunes or smooth jazz, music can enhance the atmosphere.
Photo Booth: Create a photo booth with props related to your theme. It’s a great way to capture the fun and give everyone a memento of the evening.
Cocktail Recipe Book: After the competition, collect everyone’s cocktail recipes and compile them into a digital or printed recipe book. It’s a great way to remember the night and try the winning drinks at home.
A cocktail competition with friends is more than just a night of drinks; it’s an experience filled with creativity, laughter, and friendly competition. By focusing on taste, presentation, theme, and creativity, you’ll ensure that everyone has a great time and leaves with new memories (and maybe a new favorite cocktail!). So gather your ingredients, set the stage, and let the best cocktail win!