Family Fun: Host a Homemade Cocktail Contest
Home is a great place to be—especially when you have everything you need. Still, it’s normal to miss those afternoons at the terrace with family and friends. If the weather’s warm and you haven’t seen your crew in a while, there’s a creative and delicious way to bring that fun home: a cocktail (and mocktail) contest with your family!
How to Host Your Cocktail-Making Challenge
Gather everyone in the kitchen—your partner, kids, grandparents—and set up your own cocktail contest. Sparkling water machines add the fizz, while your creativity does the rest. Use what you have on hand to invent the most delicious drinks:
- Filtered water
- Fresh sparkling water
- Homemade or flavored syrups
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Dried or candied fruits
- Jams and compotes
- Fresh herbs (mint, rosemary, thyme, basil, lavender, etc.)
- Spices (cinnamon, cloves, pepper, cardamom, ginger, etc.)
- Sweeteners like sugar, honey, maple syrup
- Alcoholic beverages (for adults only)
- Crushed or cubed ice
Game Rules
- Create original ingredient combinations (use a shaker for extra flair)
- Serve in fun glasses or jars with creative decorations
- Use layered liquids to teach kids about fluid density
- Invent fun drink names
- Appoint a family “jury” to taste and score the drinks—kids will love this role!
Need Inspiration? Try These Cocktail Ideas
Mocktails for Adults
After Hours Sparkle
- 30 ml Aperol
- 20 ml gin
- 20 ml white wine
- Fresh sparkling water
Pour all ingredients into a wine glass. Add ice and two slices of orange or another citrus fruit. Stir for 10 seconds, top with sparkling water, and mix gently.
Sparkle Boost
- 30 ml whiskey
- 20 ml fresh orange juice
- 20 ml lemon juice
- 20 ml honey (diluted with hot water)
- 15 ml egg white
Blend all ingredients for 10 seconds. Pour into a glass with a bit of ice and finish with fresh sparkling water.
Tropic Sparkle
- 60 ml rum
- 20 ml brown sugar syrup
- 20 ml lemon juice
- Mint leaves
Juice half a lemon and slice the other half. Dissolve 100 g brown sugar in 100 ml hot water. Muddle the lemon slices with sugar, add rum and syrup, and top with sparkling water. Finish with mint leaves and three cucumber slices. Serve in a tall glass.
Cocktails for Kids
Thirsty Strawberry
- 100 g mashed strawberries or berries (fresh or frozen)
- 3 tbsp sugar-water syrup
- Extra berries or strawberries
- Mint leaves
- 500 ml fresh sparkling water
Zesty Orange
- 4 oranges, juiced (approx. 250 ml)
- 3 tbsp sugar-water syrup
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 500 ml fresh sparkling water
Cool Grape Splash
- 200 g crushed grapes
- 3 tbsp sugar-water syrup
- 1/4 apple, sliced
- Whole grapes for garnish
- 500 ml fresh sparkling water
Why You’ll Love Having a Sparkling Water Machine at Home
✔ Save Money in the Long Run
Although the initial investment may seem high, one CO₂ cartridge can make up to 60 liters of sparkling water—the equivalent of 30 two-liter bottles. It’s a smart and economical alternative over time.
✔ No More Plastic Bottles
Running out of mineral water? Unexpected guests? Make fresh sparkling drinks in seconds. Say goodbye to hauling plastic bottles, finding storage space, and polluting the planet. A more elegant, eco-friendly solution awaits!
✔ Create Bar-Quality Drinks at Home
Craving a cola after a rich meal? Want lemonade, tonic water, or raspberry soda for the kids? Just add syrup—store-bought or homemade—to your sparkling water and enjoy refreshing drinks or dazzling cocktails anytime.