🍸 How to Play BoozeBattle
Everything you need to host an epic cocktail competition
🚀 Getting Started
1 Create an Account
Sign up with your email and verify it. You'll need a verified account to create or join battles.
2 Create a Battle
Give your battle a name and theme. Choose In-Person or Online mode, and pick your scoring style.
3 Invite Your Friends
Share the invite code with your group. They sign up and enter the code on the "Join Battle" page.
4 Battle!
Mix drinks, score each other, and see who takes the crown on the leaderboard.
🍲 In-Person Mode
Best for house parties, dinner parties, and game nights — everyone in the same room.
1 Gather & Join
Everyone joins the battle using the invite code on their phone. The host opens submissions, then hits "Start Game" when everyone is in.
2 Random Presentation Order
The app shuffles the order. Nobody knows who goes first until the game starts!
3 Take Turns
When it's your turn, enter your cocktail name and an optional photo on your phone, then go make and serve it to the group.
4 Taste & Score
After each drink is served, everyone tastes it and scores it right on their phone. The host taps "Next Drink" to move on.
🏆 Results!
After the last drink, the host publishes results and the leaderboard reveals the winner.
🌐 Online Mode
Best for remote friends, virtual happy hours, or whenever you can't be in the same room.
1 Submit Your Cocktail
Each participant creates their drink at home and submits the recipe, description, and a photo before the submission deadline.
2 Voting Opens
The host opens voting. Everyone can see all entries and score them at their own pace before the voting deadline.
🏆 Results Published
The host closes voting and publishes the leaderboard. Bragging rights ensue.
⭐ Scoring Styles
🎯 Points (1–5)
Rate each drink from 1 to 5 in every category. Scores are totaled up. Simple, fast, and intuitive.
Best for: Casual games, larger groups🏆 Ranked
Rank all drinks from best to worst in each category. Rankings are converted to points — best rank gets the most.
Best for: Competitive groups, nuanced resultsDefault Categories
Every battle starts with these five categories. You can't vote on your own drink!
💡 Tips for a Great Battle
🍲 For the Host
- Pick a theme that's specific enough to be interesting but broad enough that everyone can find an angle.
- 3–6 players is the sweet spot — enough variety without endless rounds.
- For in-person games, have bar supplies ready: ice, shakers, glassware, garnishes.
- Set up a "bar station" for some showmanship.
🍸 For Participants
- Lean into the theme! A creative theme connection goes a long way.
- Presentation matters — garnish, glassware, and a good name make a difference.
- Keep drinks reasonable in size (2–3 oz spirit) so everyone can taste all of them.
- "Sunset Smash" beats "Rum Drink #3" every time.
🌟 For Scoring
- Be honest! The fun is in the competition, not the compliments.
- Use the full range — if everything gets a 5, the leaderboard is boring.
- For ranked scoring, taste everything before finalizing your order.
- Don't undervalue creativity and presentation.
🎉 Making It Special
- Get a small trophy or prize for the winner — even a silly one.
- Have non-alcoholic options available. Mocktail entries are welcome!
- Take photos of each drink for memories.
- Play music and make it an event, not just a competition.
🎨 Theme Ideas
Need inspiration? Here are some fun themes to get you started.
🍹 Starter Drink Ideas
New to mixing? Here are some crowd-pleasers to build on and make your own.
Classic Margarita
2 oz tequila, 1 oz lime juice, 1 oz triple sec. Shake with ice, salt the rim. Try mango, jalapeño, or mezcal swaps.
Whiskey Sour
2 oz bourbon, 1 oz lemon juice, 3/4 oz simple syrup. Shake and strain. Add egg white for silky foam.
Espresso Martini
2 oz vodka, 1 oz coffee liqueur, 1 oz fresh espresso. Shake hard with ice. Garnish with coffee beans.
Mojito
2 oz white rum, 1 oz lime, 3/4 oz simple, mint, soda water. Try strawberry, watermelon, or coconut twists.
Aperol Spritz
3 oz prosecco, 2 oz Aperol, 1 oz soda water. Build over ice in a wine glass. Refreshing and photogenic.
Dark & Stormy
2 oz dark rum, 4 oz ginger beer, 1/2 oz lime. Build over ice. Try adding bitters or allspice dram.
Pro tip: The best competition drink is one you put your own spin on. Take a classic and make it yours.