Choose two batchable cocktails, one quick highball, and one mocktail, and count on 3 to 4 drinks per person for an evening of a few hours, as cocktail planners advise. This mix keeps the bar simple, so no one has to get up halfway through a game to mix something. Everyone stays at the table, the game continues, and the drinks follow naturally.
In short:
- During a game night, count on three to four drinks per person, including non-alcoholic options, to keep the atmosphere flowing without too many leftovers.
- Batchable cocktails like spritzes and gin and tonics are quick to prepare and can be made in large quantities in advance, helping the bar avoid busy moments.
- Mocktails with non-alcoholic rum and cherries, or ginger-lime tonic, offer a real experience and should be clearly labeled and placed in a separate area.
- Good preparation includes pre-mixing base drinks, having plenty of ice, and ensuring enough clean glasses for everyone so that no one has to wait.
- Using simple, set drinks ensures a smooth flow and prevents the evening from being interrupted by complicated cocktail choices or waiting.
Table of Contents
- Which cocktail styles fit a game night
- Three simple alcoholic recipes for home
- Two mocktails that no one will feel is a second choice
- Preparing and batching so no one has to wait
- Glasses, accessories, and snacks that won't get in the way of playing
- Checklist and ready-to-drink options from Cocktails by Nina
- Making simple choices for a better flow
- Order a cocktail box or ready-to-drink mocktails
- Sources
- Frequently asked questions
Which cocktail styles fit a game night
Highballs, spritzes, and batch cocktails work best during a game night simply because they require little attention. A highball like a gin and tonic takes two steps and is ready in a minute, even between turns of Ticket to Ride. You can mix a spritz in a large pitcher in advance, so guests can serve themselves without anyone having to get up from the table constantly.
One more elaborate or stronger drink is perfectly fine on the menu, but keep the serving size small. An espresso martini or a robust old fashioned is nice as a standout, but they are heavier to drink and disrupt concentration during a game like Codenames faster than a light spritz.
Keep the flavor balance in mind when putting together your drink menu:
- One refreshing option, like a citrus or cucumber base, for in between.
- One option with a slight bitterness, like Aperol or Campari, for those who like contrast.
- One sweeter option for guests who aren't in the mood for bitters or strong flavors.
A theme also helps: for a game night with a tropical board game, a rum-based cocktail simply fits better than a whiskey sour.
Three simple alcoholic recipes for home
These three options cover the three styles from the previous section and are all ready within minutes or can be batched well in advance.
- Batchable spritz. Mix a bottle of prosecco, 200 milliliters of Aperol, and 150 milliliters of soda water in a large pitcher with plenty of ice. This ratio keeps for several hours in the fridge if you keep the soda water separate and add it just before serving. Count on about 150 milliliters per glass, so one bottle of prosecco easily provides four to five servings.
- Quick gin and tonic highball. Fill a highball glass with ice, add 50 milliliters of gin, and top with tonic. Garnish with a lime slice or a sprig of rosemary for a bit more flair without extra work.
- Light rum shot as an opener. Mix white rum, lime juice, and a dash of simple syrup in equal parts, shake with ice, and strain into small glasses. This works well as a welcome drink before the first game begins.
Pro-tip: have the batch cocktail ready in the fridge before the first guests arrive, so you don't have to worry about anything during the game.
Two mocktails that no one will feel is a second choice
Non-alcoholic options deserve the same attention as the rest of the menu. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre (Voedingscentrum) points out that non-alcoholic variants, according to Dutch regulations, may contain less than 0.5% alcohol and are a perfectly safe choice for those who prefer not to drink. A good example of the experience a non-alcoholic drink can offer is a recipe featuring non-alcoholic rum and cherries, combined with chocolate mousse as a dessert pairing.
Two mocktails that work well on a game night:
- A non-alcoholic bubbly with a splash of pomegranate juice and a slice of orange, served in a champagne flute.
- A ginger-lime tonic with fresh lime juice, a dash of ginger syrup, and tonic, served as a refreshing highball substitute.
Clearly label mocktails and place them in a separate part of the table so no one accidentally grabs the wrong glass.
Preparing and batching so no one has to wait
For larger batches, calculate a mix per number of guests that is sufficient to serve multiple rounds, so you don't have to mix again in the middle of the evening. Keep the batch chilled and only add bubbly elements like tonic or soda water just before serving.
- Mix the base (spirit, syrup, juice) well in advance and store in a sealable pitcher or bottle.
- Ensure enough ice: for a larger party, count on about 25 to 30 kilos of ice for 25 guests; for a game night with fewer guests, you can adjust that downwards proportionally.
- Set out at least one clean glass per guest per drink round so there is no search for a free glass.
For six guests and three drinks per person, you will need about eighteen servings, distributed among the batch cocktail, the highball, and the mocktail.
A self-serve setup with a pitcher, ice bucket, and glasses works fine for smaller groups. For larger groups, one designated person behind the bar is more practical simply because they keep track of who has had a drink and who hasn't.
Glasses, accessories, and snacks that won't get in the way of playing
A highball glass fits highballs and gin and tonics, a wine glass or spritzer glass fits an Aperol spritz, and small glasses are enough for shots. Count on at least two clean glasses per guest for an evening of a few hours.
A few accessories make a real difference:
- A jigger for precise dosing, so every cocktail tastes the same.
- An ice scoop, so no one has to put their hands in the ice bucket.
- A shaker for cocktails that need to be shaken, like the rum shot.
Choose snacks that can be eaten with one hand: small skewers, cheese cubes, or nuts work better than anything requiring a plate and cutlery, because no one wants to hold a card game with greasy fingers.
Checklist and ready-to-drink options from Cocktails by Nina
Cocktails by Nina sells ready-to-drink cocktails, mocktails, cocktail boxes, and accessories, all prepared with premium ingredients. For a game night, combining one ready-to-drink cocktail box with one homemade batch cocktail works well: you always have a reliable option on hand while still being able to vary things yourself.
Ruud's checklist for a smooth evening:
- Beforehand: set out glasses, ice, and enough water next to the cocktails.
- During: keep a fixed route between the bar and the gaming table so no one has to keep walking.
- After each round: set up a separate area for empty glasses so the game table stays clear.
Making simple choices for a better flow
The best game nights I've ever experienced never had the most impressive cocktail menu. They had a few reliable drinks that everyone could find and no one had to explain. Take mocktails just as seriously as the rest: a guest who has to justify their choice feels like an outsider faster than necessary.
— Ruud
Order a cocktail box or ready-to-drink mocktails
For those who want to order right away:
- The cocktails collection for ready-to-drink alcoholic options.
- The mocktails collection for non-alcoholic alternatives.
- The glassware collection if you still need to supplement your serving glasses.
Preferably order at least three working days in advance if you are shopping for a larger group so that everything is delivered on time. View the full assortment at Cocktails by Nina and put together your own combination for the next game night.
Sources
For non-alcoholic options and safe alcohol use, the Voedingscentrum is a reliable starting point. For practical planning and quantities, Cocktailguide.nl offers concrete guidelines, while BinnensteBuiten shows how to present a mocktail festively. For game inspiration besides the bar, the list from MagicFranco with games per type of party is a handy starting point.
- Non-alcoholic drinks - Voedingscentrum
- Cocktail with non-alcoholic rum, cherries, and chocolate mousse | BinnensteBuiten
- Drankspel
Frequently asked questions
How many drinks do you count per person during a game night?
Count on about 3 to 4 drinks per person for an evening of a few hours. That number takes into account both alcoholic and non-alcoholic rounds without having too much left over.
What are fun drinking games to combine with cocktails?
Popular drinking games are easy to adapt with non-alcoholic variants so everyone can join in. Always provide non-alcoholic alternatives and keep participation voluntary, especially in a mixed group.
Which mocktails fit well with a game night?
A non-alcoholic bubbly with fruit juice or a ginger-lime tonic work well as full-fledged highball substitutes. Examples of festive mocktail recipes, like the variant with non-alcoholic rum and cherries, show that a non-alcoholic drink can offer just as much of an experience.
Is a ready-to-drink cocktail box useful for a game night?
A cocktail box saves time and hassle because you don't have to mix anything and still serve bar quality. Cocktails by Nina offers cocktail boxes that you can easily combine with a homemade batch cocktail for more variety.
What is a safe way to offer non-alcoholic options?
Clearly label non-alcoholic drinks and place them in a visible spot next to the rest of the menu. According to the Voedingscentrum, non-alcoholic variants in the Netherlands may contain less than 0.5% alcohol, making them a safe choice for guests who do not drink.
