Some drinking games are more about killing time — and some make sure real drinking happens. This article is about the second kind. These drinking games with alcohol are all about clinking glasses together, frequent sips and a round that celebrates as one. Every game comes with full rules — and one clear reminder: the fun matters more than how much you drink, and nobody has to keep up.
💡 By the way: this is exactly why we built the SwigSki3000® — four people, one ski, one shot in sync. More on that below ↓
What is a drinking game that guarantees drinks? A drinking game with alcohol is a game where drinking sits firmly at the centre — frequent triggers, shared shots or loser rules mean glasses get raised regularly. It's built for a group that wants to celebrate on purpose. What always stays true: small measures, water in between, and everyone at their own pace.
Shared Shot Games
Nothing brings a party together like the moment everyone raises a glass at the same time.
The Shotski Round
The centrepiece of any party: four to six glasses sit on a ski, everyone lifts at the same moment and drinks together. The thrill lies in the coordination — tip too early and it all goes wrong. Perfect as a shared reward once a game has been decided, and easy to keep small thanks to the tiny glasses.
Waterfall
A mechanic built into plenty of games: everyone drinks at the same time, and nobody is allowed to stop before the person on their left has stopped. Whoever starts the round decides how long it runs. A classic that pulls the whole group in at once — and one where it really pays to play with something light.
Product demo and explanation of the Miniski with ski roulette and more – @apresallstars
Handy side effect: because the SwigSki3000® is made from four separately removable modules, it goes straight into the dishwasher after the round instead of into the corner.
Drinking Games With Alcohol: Card Games With Plenty of Sips
Cards are the most reliable source of regular drinking moments.
Kings (King's Cup)
The evergreen: cards lie in a circle around a cup, and every value triggers an action — waterfall, "you decide", new rule. The fourth king has to drain the King's Cup, into which everyone has already tipped a small splash. Because drinking happens constantly, the guarantee is essentially built in — all the more reason to keep the measures small.
Ring of Fire
Kings' faster sister: cards in a circle around a can, each suit its own rule. Whoever breaks the card circle while drawing has to drink. It moves quickly, pulls everyone in and keeps drinking moments coming steadily through the whole round.
Competitive Games With Drinking Stakes
When teams go head to head, every mistake turns into a sip.
Beer Pong
The team classic: cups set up in a pyramid, players take turns throwing balls in, and any cup that's hit gets drunk. Because the losing team ends up draining whatever cups are left, it adds up fast — one more reason to fill the cups just a third of the way and use something light.
Flunkyball
Two teams, one bottle in the middle: whoever knocks it over with the ball, their team drinks until the other side has stood it back up. A loud, fast game with plenty of drinking volume — perfect outdoors and for a group that really wants to celebrate.
Flip Cup (Team Relay)
The fast team classic with a high turnover rate: two rows face each other, each player drains their cup and flips it upside down onto the edge of the table before the next player can start. Because everyone empties a full cup every round, it adds up quickly — so only pour a small measure into each cup. Whichever team gets through first wins, and the rush keeps both sides shouting.
SwigSki3000 Shotski by Apres Allstars
For the shared shot round: the modular wooden ski with four to six small glasses. Small measures, big moment — and the group photo of the night. From €29.50.
View the Shotski →Dice and Chance Games With Stakes
Chance decides who drinks — and that's exactly what keeps the round exciting.
Drinking Roulette
Numbered glasses, a spun wheel: wherever it stops, that glass gets drained. Some glasses are stronger, some milder — the thrill lies in not knowing which. Keep the glasses small and it stays a game, not a dare.
Mäxchen (Liar's Dice)
The bluffing classic with two dice under a cup: call your result (true or lied about, higher than the previous player's), and the next person either believes you or calls your bluff. Whoever gets caught lying, or doubts wrongly, drinks. In a bigger round the sips stack up fast.
The Song Sip (Roxanne Rule)
A music game with a built-in drinking guarantee: pick a song with one word repeated often in the chorus and split the group into two teams. Every time that word comes up, Team A drinks; on the other word, Team B drinks. Fast choruses add up quickly — which is exactly why you should play this one with something light and small sips. A game that turns into an impromptu karaoke session on the side.
Drinking Jenga With Shot Challenges
Write drinking rules and small shot challenges ("give away two sips", "everyone toasts") on the blocks of a wobbly tower. Taking turns, each player pulls a block and does what it says; whoever knocks the tower over drinks the rest of their glass. The challenges you write yourselves let you steer the intensity — anywhere from relaxed to full party mode.
Beer Pong Olympics
For the long night: several disciplines combined into one tournament — classic beer pong, flip cup, cup throwing and target water. Points are awarded for every discipline won, and the losing team of the overall standings buys a round at the end. Because it stretches across several games, the drinking spreads out nicely over the evening instead of arriving in short, hard bursts — and the competitive edge keeps everyone in a good mood. Ideal if you want variety without losing the party factor.
Above All: Celebrate Responsibly
A drinking game with alcohol is only fun as long as everyone still enjoys thinking back on it the next day. A few rules that help the night end well:
- Small measures: Small glasses and light drinks keep the round going longer than hard shots do.
- Water in between: A glass of water after every round is the best protection against a hangover.
- Nobody has to keep up: Drinking is voluntary — an alcohol-free alternative should always be on the table. Every game here works just as well with soft drinks.
- Look out for each other: Keep an eye on anyone who's had a bit much and make sure everyone gets home safely.
If you'd rather keep it calmer, you'll find the tried-and-tested classics in good drinking games and games with no drinking focus at all in drinking games without equipment. For the full overview, head to the big drinking games guide.
FAQ
What are the best drinking games with alcohol?
Games with frequent drinking moments like Kings Cup, Ring of Fire, Beer Pong and Flunkyball, plus a shared shot round with the Shotski. The key is to play with small measures.
Which drinking game guarantees the most drinks?
Kings Cup and Ring of Fire have drinking built firmly into the rules, while Beer Pong and Flunkyball rack up plenty through the loser rules. Small glasses and light drinks keep it manageable.
How do I drink responsibly during these games?
Stick to small measures, have a glass of water between rounds and keep an alcohol-free alternative on the table. Nobody has to keep up, and you should look out for each other.
How many people do you need?
Most games work with three to four people upwards. Kings Cup, Beer Pong and Flunkyball really come into their own in bigger rounds.
Can you play these games without alcohol?
Yes, every game works just as well with soft drinks, juice or water. That way everyone can join in, regardless of whether or how much they want to drink.
How do I avoid a hangover the next day?
Small measures, plenty of water along the way, something to eat before and during the game, and stopping in good time. The best protection is keeping the pace deliberately low.
Related articles:
Good Drinking Games ·
Card Drinking Games ·
Party Drinking Games ·
All Drinking Games at a Glance