Lockdown has brought about a resurgence in at-home mixology, and it’s no wonder why. While we eagerly await the reopening of our favorite cocktail bars and pubs, we can still indulge in the art of crafting the perfect cocktail in the comfort of our own homes. And what better way to do so than with a thrilling cocktail night competition to beat the COVID-19 blues?

Forget the traditional cocktail party – a cocktail night is all about friendly competition! Each participant gets to showcase their mixology skills by creating a unique cocktail to present to the group, who then judges based on creativity, taste, and presentation. To up the ante, losers can promise to buy the winner a cocktail at the bars when they finally reopen!

To ensure a smooth and impressive cocktail night, here are some tips for the host:

1. Basic bar equipment: Make sure to have essential bar tools on hand, such as a shaker, muddler, jigger, strainer, bar spoon, juicer, knife, and cutting board. Having a variety of shapes and sizes can come in handy for different cocktail recipes.
2. Plenty of ice: Ice is a crucial ingredient in cocktails, so make sure to stock up! Consider using high-quality clear ice, such as the ones available in the Icebox Variety Box on Amazon, which includes Ice Balls, Ice Pillars, Rock Ice Cubes, Ice Tumblers, and Fruits & Flower Cubes. These clear ice options melt more slowly, enhancing the taste and presentation of your cocktails.
3. Prepping ingredients: Ask each participant to find a cocktail recipe in advance and bring the necessary ingredients to make their specialty cocktail. This ensures everyone is prepared and ready to show off their bartending skills.

Here’s how the cocktail night competition works:

1. Find a cocktail recipe and gather materials: Each participant selects a cocktail recipe and brings the necessary ingredients to make their chosen cocktail.
2. Make it pretty: Presentation matters! Encourage participants to put effort into how they present their cocktails, as it’s one of the categories on the scorecard.
3. Be prepared to explain: Each participant should be ready to explain their cocktail to the group, including the inspiration behind it and any unique techniques or ingredients used.
4. Time to vote: After serving their cocktails to everyone, it’s time to vote! Categories for judging include creativity, taste, and presentation.

To take the competition up a notch, draw inspiration from the TV show Chopped by incorporating mystery ingredients. Ask each participant to bring four mystery ingredients that could be used in a cocktail, such as juice, carbonated beverages, herbs/fruits, and liquors. These ingredients will make up the “basket” items, and additional pantry items like sugar, salt, simple syrup, and liqueurs can be provided to enhance the basket items if needed.

Once the ingredients are assembled, set a time limit of 10 to 15 minutes for each participant to create a cocktail using their mystery ingredients. The challenge is to concoct an unforgettable drink before time runs out!

Finally, have judges score the cocktails based on creativity, taste, and presentation, and determine the winner. Bonus points can be awarded for an original drink name. If there are multiple rounds, you can crown the ultimate winner as the “UK’s Next Top Bartender”!

So, let the at-home mixology showdown begin! With a little preparation and creativity, a cocktail night competition is a fantastic way to enjoy the art of cocktail making while we wait for our beloved bars to reopen. Cheers to mastering the perfect cocktail at home!

Image Credit: Lime Digital