This Monday, Shackleton ESU swapped compasses and camp stoves for shakers and syrups as we hosted our very own mocktail-making evening, a night full of creativity, chaos, and questionable flavour combinations.
We kicked off by splitting into teams and handing out mystery recipe cards, each containing a different mocktail for the Explorers to recreate. With recipes in hand, everyone headed off on a field trip to Tesco, where the hunt for ingredients began. From exotic fruit juices to mint, mixers, and a few unexpected extras, baskets quickly filled with everything needed for an evening of mixology.
Back at HQ, the teams got straight to work chopping, stirring, shaking, and taste-testing their creations. The room soon filled with the very professional sounds of whirring blenders and enthusiastic sipping.
But the real challenge came next…
The Custom Mocktail Showdown
Once the warm-ups were complete, teams were tasked with inventing their own original mocktail using any ingredients available. No recipe, no guidance, just imagination.
The drinks were then judged by Jack, who bravely stepped up as our official taste-tester. His reactions (ranging from impressed nods to confused eyebrows) said more than any scorecard ever could. A wide spectrum of beverages emerged:
- Some refreshing and genuinely impressive,
- Some bold and experimental,
- And a few… well, let’s just say they will not be appearing on any future menus.
Overall, it was a fantastic night full of laughs, teamwork, creativity, and only minimal culinary regret.
Well done to all who took part and especially to Jack for surviving the judging round!
