Garden Battle

Garden Battle: The Ultimate Outdoor Drinking Relay Game for Summer Parties

If you’re looking for the perfect outdoor drinking game that blends speed, chaos, and just a little bit of sabotage, Garden Battle is your new go-to. It’s ideal for BBQs, birthdays, pre-drinks before a night out, or any excuse to turn your back garden into a makeshift booze-fuelled battlefield. Think of it as a twisted mix of relay racing and drinking roulette.

Best played in groups of 4 to 10 people, Garden Battle turns a simple garden into an arena of cheers, chugs, and lawn-based glory.

What is Garden Battle?

Garden Battle is a fast-paced team relay drinking game. The goal is simple: reach the bottom of the garden, down a drink, sprint back, and tag in your teammate. First team to finish wins. But there’s a twist — lurking among the drinks is one horrendous shitmix cup, full of whatever nightmare cocktail your opponents decide to create.

This game is perfect for summer house parties, festivals, or any event where you can run safely, drink quickly, and laugh even quicker.

What You Need

• A garden or outdoor space (ideally with grass — trust us)
• Plastic cups (10 to 20 depending on your group size)
• Alcoholic drinks of your choice (beer, cider, seltzers, etc.)
• A mixing bowl or jug for the “shitmix” drink
• A safe area with no trip hazards like hoses, tools, or wayward BBQs
• At least 4 players, split into two or more teams

Game Setup

1. Split into teams: Even numbers work best. Two teams of two to five players per side is perfect.
2. Place the cups: Set one cup per team member at the far end of the garden. That’s your drink station. Make sure the cups are spaced out so players aren’t crowding each other.
3. Fill the cups: Most cups should be filled with standard drinks (beer, cider, etc.). Each team is allowed to fill one cup with a custom “shitmix” — a nasty cocktail of any alcohol or mixers you choose. The team that gets it must down it without complaint.
4. Create a safe run path: Remove obstacles like lawn chairs, dog toys, garden gnomes, and especially any sharp objects. Do not play on concrete. Grass is ideal for falling, tumbling, and drunk sliding.

How to Play Garden Battle

1. Start the race: One player from each team lines up at the starting point (usually near the house).
2. Ready, set, go: On “go,” the first players sprint to the drink station, down their assigned cup, then race back.
3. Tag and go: When they return, they tag the next teammate, who repeats the process.
4. Continue until all team members have run, drunk, and returned.
5. First team to finish all their drinks and sit back down wins.

Extra Rule: The Shitmix Sabotage

The shitmix is the wildcard. It could be vodka, hot sauce, Bailey’s and flat Coke. It’s entirely up to the opposing team to make it. You won’t know which cup it’s in until it’s too late.

Whoever gets the shitmix must finish it. No substitutions, no spitting it out. You also don’t want to spend too long deciding or you’re drinking this shit mix you just made for another team.

Safety Tips (Don’t Be a Garden Goblin)

• Check the garden: Remove sharp tools, garden forks, or any trip hazards.
• Don’t play on hard surfaces like patios or gravel. Grass is safer if someone takes a tumble.
• Keep it friendly: No pushing, tripping, or headbutting your mate into a wheelbarrow.
• Hydrate: It’s still a drinking game. Water is your friend.

Modifications for More Chaos

• Timed Rounds: Add a stopwatch and time each team. Fastest total wins.
• Obstacle Mode: Add hula hoops, cones, or cushions they have to dodge.
• Trivia Gate: Place a trivia question halfway down the track. Get it wrong? Take a shot before continuing.
• Blindfold Relay: Only recommended if your garden is VERY safe.

What Happens to the Losing Team?

The losing team must either:

• Refill the shitmix that was made for them and split it between themselves, or
• Serve drinks to the winners for the next round, wearing something ridiculous (think traffic cone hats or flower pot helmets)

You decide the punishment, but make it stupid enough that people don’t want to lose twice.

Final Thoughts

Garden Battle is one of the best outdoor drinking games for groups. It’s competitive, funny, easy to set up, and flexible enough to scale with your group. With just a few cups, some drinks, and a willingness to run like you’re chasing the ice cream van, you’ve got a guaranteed party hit.

Want more party game ideas? Check out our categories on drinking games, garden games, and custom challenges you can make at home.

Let the battle begin.