Behind the banter lies brilliance - and for the team crowned winners of the 2011 CWC, beginning in Queenstown on Monday, it will be a life-changing experience.
42Below United States vodka ambassadors Raj Nagra, of Miami, Florida, Borys Saciuk, of San Francisco, and New Zealander Paul Franich, now of New York, arrived in Queenstown this week to prepare for the five-day event, in which seven teams from across the world will be tested to the absolute extreme - in terms of both their creativity and their stamina.
The trio are tasked with looking after all the teams, providing mentoring and ensuring the competition runs seamlessly.
The vodka ambassadors said it had been a busy few weeks, but nothing compared with what was about to happen.
"From a United States perspective, this is an international competition," Mr Nagra said.
The event was marketed under the United States Bartenders Guild and attracted more than 1000 entries.
The top 12 cocktail spots in the United States were identified and 10 finalists were selected to compete in each city.
Heats were held in January and two finalists were selected from each to compete in the New York final, held just last week.
"We officially have the top three [mixologists] from the United States coming," Mr Nagra said.
Before the final, the trio were also involved in making Guinness World Records for the most cocktails made in an hour - 1541 cocktails produced by eight mixologists using 42Below vodka, an average of about 200 cocktails each.
However, there was no time to dwell on their success, with preparations in full swing for the 2011 CWC.
"This is one of the biggest cocktail platforms in the world," Mr Nagra said.
In addition to the personal exposure, bartenders would have the opportunity to network and learn from some of the most experienced in the industry, with judges this year comprising drinks writer and historian David Wondrich; the United Kingdom's "maestro" of cocktails, Salvatore Calabrese, who is about to launch London's most exclusive bar as part of the new Playboy Club; and 42Below's vodka professor, Jacob Briars.
After the competitors arrive in the resort on Monday morning there will be no rest until Saturday as they combine demonstrating their skills with Queenstown's extreme adventure activities.
One of the new additions to this year's event will involve wine and food matching at Peregrine Wines.
"42Below - the whole brand, everything about it - is New Zealand. One of the things that we thought was missing was the wine experience and we wanted to tie it together.
"It's going to be an intense week but so much fun. It's the experience of a lifetime ... a lot say it launched their career internationally.
"It's known to be one of the most creative competitions, forward-thinking. It's the kookiest, craziest thing you can come up with and put some legs on."
The Carnival of the Cocktail-themed competition would conclude on Friday night in a big-top marquee at the Lake Hayes A and P Showgrounds.
A limited number of tickets were available to the public.
"It's going to be an amazing [evening]. The theme lends itself to lots of stuff - gypsies, bearded ladies, entertainers," Mr Saciuk said.
"The whole idea of the final is it's all about bartending, putting on a performance. Bartenders have lost ... the idea of what a great bartender was - entertaining the customer, having fun and making a magnificent drink. The whole idea is to get them totally out of their comfort zone.
"If you look at the schedule, getting up at 7am and the velocity at which they're moving ... when they're on that stage at the final ... the heat is on, it is serious, serious pressure."
Each team would be marked throughout the week, with the final event accounting for 80% of the overall score.
While the United States team had been in the lead over the past seven years, London and Australia could not be discounted.
However, Mr Franich said he would love to see the New Zealand team finally take the glory.
"The worst thing about it is, I would love New Zealand to win - they're always in the top three, they haven't broken the win yet."
Tickets to the 2011 Cocktail World Cup Carnival of the Cocktail finale, which begins at 7pm on March 18, are available for $42 each from www.1-night.co.nz.
• The ticket price includes transport between Queenstown and the venue and two complimentary cocktails.
Ticket Giveaway
Thanks to the good folk at 42Below, the Queenstown Times has a double pass to give away to the Carnival of the Cocktail grand finale being held in a big-top marquee at the Lake Hayes A and P Showgrounds next Friday.
Valued at $84, the pass includes transport between the venue and Queenstown, as well as two complimentary cocktails for each of the two tickets.
To enter the draw, simply email us at news@queenstowntimes.co.nz with CWC Tickets in the subject line. Be sure to include your contact details.
The winner of the double pass will be drawn on Tuesday afternoon.
