Summer is finally here, and we're feeling nostalgic for days spent in the lake (or pool!), on the sports fields, and at the craft tables. We're combining our love of the outdoors, camp traditions (hello, color war), and a little DIY fun for a friendly competition with a grown-up twist. Set up this create-your-own-cocktail face-off at your next summer party and not only will your inner scout love you for making your friends follow strict rules, but you've also got a built-in theme (camp, duh!) and you'll come away with a signature cocktail for your friend group.
Here's everything you need, from ingredients to a framework for hosting, to make it happen.
Stock the Bar
The first thing you'll need to do is gather your cocktail-making ingredients and competition gear, to avoid any need for a last-minute liquor-store run.
Spirits
We recommend two or three, to give folks the right building blocks for their cocktails without overwhelming them. Our go-tos are citrusy Don Julio blanco tequila; oaky, vanilla-scented Crown Royal whiskey; and smooth and creamy Baileys Original Irish Cream.
Mix-Ins
Include a range of ingredients to inspire both experienced and budding bartenders: citrus, from everyday lemons and limes to more out-of-the-box options like grapefruit and yuzu; a sweetener, like sugar or agave; bubbles, like ginger ale, tonic water, or seltzer; and ready-to-drink cocktails like Loyal 9 Lemonade and Cîroc Vodka Spritz cans to nudge folks who may be a little lost in the right direction. Pick one secret ingredient that everyone has to use in their drink, like jalapeños, maple syrup, edible glitter, or maraschino cherries, so the results are easier to compare.
Bar Tools
Don't forget all the hardware you’ll need to put together a drink—a few cocktail shakers, mixing spoons, small knives, peelers, and cutting boards—plus outdoor-friendly glasses and tumblers, ice, and on-theme garnishes (you'll probably want to double up on marshmallows and stock some tree-like rosemary sprigs).
Judging Supplies
Grab some shot-size tasting glasses, pens, and paper. This is official business.
Pick Teams and Set Up Cocktail Stations
Whatever the size of your crew, we suggest breaking off into teams of two (with one trio if needed). That's the sweet spot for drama-free collaboration, plus it allows you to partner cocktail makers of varying experience levels.
Evenly divide the ingredients and gear among the groups, and lay them out on whatever work space you have set up for each team (e.g., picnic tables, blankets on the grass, the tops of coolers).
Give a Little Guidance
Once the teams are set, explain the rules: Each team has 15 minutes to come up with a cocktail featuring the secret ingredient, using just the spirits and gear at their designated stations. Before judging, each team should give their creation a camp-themed name to really harness the summer vibes.
Be Judgmental
Each drink will be judged on four criteria: taste, look, use of the secret ingredient, and name. Give everyone time to sample each cocktail individually and then evaluate it on a piece of paper. End by having everyone rank the cocktails, with your favorite as the highest number and your least favorite as the number one. (You cannot vote for your own cocktail—sorry, not sorry.) The cocktail with the most points wins.
Crown the Winner—and Make More Cocktails
Once the results are in, announce the winner in whatever grand fashion you desire: through a counselor-approved megaphone, or maybe even with a trophy made just for the occasion. Whatever you decide, get started making more batches of that top-tier drink—because everyone is going to want another round.
