What to buy for a cocktail competition

A cocktail competition needs more than spirits and mixers. Each team needs a workable station, the judges need separate glasses and water, and everyone needs enough ice, garnishes and tools to serve consistently. Use the quantities below as a starting point, then multiply shared ingredients by the number of teams and rounds. Buy fresh garnishes and ice as late as possible, and check dietary requirements before placing the final order.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Tablesqty 10
Chairsqty 60
Bar stoolsqty 8
Buffet tableqty 2

Tableware

Cocktail glassesqty 80
Highball glassesqty 60
Wine glassesqty 60
Water glassesqty 60
Platesqty 70
Cutlery setsqty 70
Bar spoonsqty 12
Strawsqty 100

Equipment

Cocktail shakersqty 10
Jiggersqty 12
Bar stoolsqty 10
Cutting boardsqty 10
Paring knivesqty 12
Blendersqty 4
Coolersqty 6
Portable coolersqty 4

Kitchen

Measuring cupsqty 8
Ice spoonsqty 8
Pliersqty 8
Garnish containersqty 20
Mixing bowlsqty 12
Storage binsqty 20
Bottle openersqty 6

Decorations

Tableclothsqty 10
Cocktail platesqty 8
Balloonsqty 40
Competition name signsqty 12

Lighting

LED light stringsqty 4
Table lampsqty 6

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 6
Washing-up tubsqty 4
Trash bag holdersqty 6

Catering

Jury formsqty 20
Pen setsqty 12
Prizesqty 3
Name stickersqty 70
Groceries
- Vodka - 4 bottles
- Gin - 4 bottles
- White rum - 3 bottles
- Tequila - 2 bottles
- Bourbon - 2 bottles
- Triple sec - 2 bottles
- Dry vermouth - 2 bottles
- Sweet vermouth - 1 bottle
- Angostura bitters - 2 bottles
- Tonic - 12 bottles
- Bitter lemon - 6 bottles
- Ginger ale - 8 bottles
- Ginger beer - 8 bottles
- Cola - 8 bottles
- Cola Zero - 6 bottles
- Soda water - 10 bottles
- Sparkling water - 12 bottles
- Still water - 12 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Pineapple juice - 6 cartons
- Cranberry juice - 8 packs
- Orange juice - 8 packs
- Tomato juice - 4 packs
- Lemon juice - 8 bottles
- Lime juice - 8 bottles
- Agave syrup - 4 bottles
- Sugar syrup - 4 bottles
- Grenadine - 3 bottles
- Coconut cream - 8 cans
- Tonic zero - 6 bottles
- Lemons - 30 pieces
- Limes - 40 pieces
- Oranges - 20 pieces
- Grapefruits - 10 pieces
- Cucumbers - 8 pieces
- Fresh mint - 12 bunches
- Fresh basil - 8 bunches
- Cocktail cherries - 4 jars
- Olives - 4 jars
- Salt - 2 packs
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Coffee - 3 packs
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Milk - 6 liters
- Oat milk - 3 liters
- Paprika chips - 6 bags
- Plain chips - 6 bags
- Salted nuts - 4 bags
- Olives for appetizers - 3 jars
- Cheese cubes - 2 kilogram
- Grapes - 3 kilograms
- Crackers - 6 packs
- Hummus - 6 tubs
- Dish soap - 2 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 2 bottles
- Glass cleaner - 1 bottle
- Paper towels - 8 rolls
- Toilet paper - 24 rolls
- Trash bags - 3 rolls
- Paper napkins - 200 pieces
- Kitchen gloves - 2 boxes
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls

Tips

Plan at least 2 tasting glasses per judge for each round, plus 1 water glass per judge. Add 10% extra glassware for breakage, spills and late replacements.
Allow 1 cocktail shaker, 1 jigger, 1 bar spoon, 1 cutting board and 1 paring knife per team. If teams share equipment, provide at least 1 complete station for every 2 teams.
Buy 2 to 3 drinks per person for the first hour, then adjust the total for the competition length and whether spectators are also drinking. Keep water available at every table.
Allow roughly 0.5 to 1 kg of ice per participant for a short competition, with extra ice for chilling bottles and serving non-competition drinks. Store it in coolers and keep serving ice separate from ice used for chilling.
Prepare garnishes no more than 2 to 4 hours before the event. Portion them into garnish containers and label ingredients clearly, especially anything that may contain allergens or does not suit dietary requirements.

Frequently asked questions

How much alcohol and mixer do I need for a cocktail competition?: For guests who are drinking, plan for 2 to 3 drinks per person during the first hour, then about 1 drink per person per hour. For the competition itself, calculate each recipe by the number of teams and rounds, then add 10% for spills and test pours.
How many cocktail shakers and jiggers do I need?: Give each team 1 cocktail shaker and 1 jigger so teams can work at the same time. For 8 teams, buy or borrow 8 of each, plus 1 or 2 spare pieces for breakage or cleaning.
How much ice should I buy for a cocktail competition?: Allow 0.5 to 1 kg of ice per participant for a short competition, depending on how many drinks are shaken or served over ice. Add extra ice for chilling bottles, and keep at least one separate cooler for clean serving ice.
What glassware is needed for a cocktail competition?: Provide the glass type required by each recipe, plus water glasses and separate tasting glasses for the judges. A practical minimum is 2 tasting glasses per judge per round, with 10% extra glassware available for replacements.

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