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• My roommates and I took advantage of our 21s during the pandemic, so we started a weekly cocktail club at home.
• We picked a theme, made two cocktails to evaluate and discuss, and played board games.
• Our favorite items to use were a cocktail shaker and a Polaroid camera.
• Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and reviews home products.

This content is intended for readers 21 and older. Please drink responsibly. If you or someone you know is suffering from alcohol abuse, seek help. The National Addiction and Mental Health Services Administration Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) provides a free, confidential referral and information service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

I turned 21 during the pandemic with most of my close friends. Since we couldn’t go to the bars, we decided to do weekly themed cocktail clubs where we selected drinks, dressed up and played board games. I don’t have a ton of context, but I think it was way more fun than going out to bars – and significantly cheaper. Plus, we all now know what kind of cocktails we prefer when we go out.

If you’re looking to dive into cocktail making this summer, check out our list of other home bar essentials, the best cocktail recipe books, and our review of an unbreakable outdoor cocktail glass.

Here’s everything we used to create our cocktail club and make the most of our 21 years at home.