What if your next corporate bonding moment was built around a cocktail shaker, a curated selection of ingredients, and a healthy dose of imagination? With Cocktail Building by TeamBuilding.it, the answer is straightforward: something truly memorable. This culinary team building format transforms a simple company aperitif into a structured experience of collaboration, creativity, and storytelling — complete with a judging panel, awards, and a final toast shared by everyone.

The Challenge: Invent Your Company’s Signature Cocktail

At the heart of Cocktail Building lies a challenge that is as creative as it is symbolic: each team must conceive and craft the cocktail that best represents their company. This goes beyond mixology — it’s about identity, values, and narrative. Participants are divided into teams of approximately 10 people and, guided by professional bartenders, have access to a wide assortment of ingredients to bring their recipe to life.

The challenge operates on two distinct but complementary levels: the technical one (balance of flavours, presentation, choice of ingredients) and the narrative one (how do you pitch your cocktail to the judges? What is the story behind every decision?). This dual approach engages different skills within the team, spotlighting both those with a refined palate and those with strong communication abilities.

How the Format Works

Cocktail Building unfolds over approximately two hours and follows a well-tested structure developed by TeamBuilding.it — a brand with 22 years of experience and a portfolio of over 130 original formats.

Briefing and training: teams are welcomed by professional bartenders who introduce the basics of mixology, shaking and stirring techniques, and the possibilities offered by the available ingredients.

Creative phase: each team debates, aligns, and makes shared decisions about the name, ingredients, and storytelling of their cocktail. This is where the most interesting team dynamics emerge — who takes the lead, who mediates, who brings unexpected ideas.

Preparation and presentation: cocktails are prepared with professional guidance and then pitched to the judging panel with a short narrative presentation. Judges evaluate both taste and the ability to tell a compelling story.

Award ceremony and toast: the session closes with the announcement of the winning cocktail and a convivial moment open to all participants.

The format is available in both indoor and outdoor settings, adapting to corporate offices, event venues, rooftop terraces, or gardens — wherever your team feels like raising a glass together.

Why It Works: The Benefits for Your Team

Cocktail Building is not just a fun break — it is a purposefully designed activity that delivers measurable outcomes in terms of team cohesion. Here is why it works:

• It breaks down hierarchical barriers: in front of a shaker, everyone is on the same level. This encourages horizontal communication and collaboration between colleagues who may not usually interact.
• It sparks collective creativity: coming up with something original under time pressure activates brainstorming and problem-solving processes that translate into everyday work.
• It trains storytelling skills: the pitch to the judging panel sharpens communication abilities and the capacity to build a shared narrative — increasingly vital skills in the modern workplace.
• It creates a lasting positive memory: a sensory experience like this stays with the team far longer than a traditional meeting ever would.

All of this takes place in a relaxed, energetic, and mildly competitive atmosphere — exactly the kind of mix that TeamBuilding.it strives to create with every format.

How to Organise It with TeamBuilding.it

Organising a Cocktail Building event with TeamBuilding.it is straightforward. Our team handles everything: from format design and logistics to the selection of professional bartenders and space setup. With operational bases in Rome and Milan and the ability to work across the entire country, we can bring the format to your preferred location — corporate headquarters, event space, or an exclusive external venue.

The format is ideal for teams of young professionals, welcome events for new hires, project wrap-up celebrations, or simply as a high-quality moment of togetherness. It is designed for those who want to combine relaxation, creativity, and a touch of healthy competition in a single afternoon.

Contact us to organise your Cocktail Building →

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can take part in Cocktail Building? The format is structured around teams of approximately 10 people each. The total number of participants can vary — contact us for a tailored proposal based on your group size.

Is the format suitable for non-drinkers? Absolutely. Professional bartenders can guide the creation of non-alcoholic or low-alcohol versions, ensuring an inclusive experience for every participant.

Can it be organised outdoors? Yes, Cocktail Building is available in both indoor and outdoor settings. It works beautifully on corporate terraces, gardens, open-air event spaces, or exclusive external venues.

How long does the activity last? The standard duration is approximately two hours, including the briefing, creative phase, judging presentation, and final convivial moment. The timing can be adjusted to fit your programme.

To protect participants’ privacy, the images were recreated with AI based on real events.