“Describe your perfect date.” “That’s a tough one. I’d have to say April 25th… because it’s not too hot, not too cold, all you need is a light jacket.” If you smiled reading that, congratulations—you’re absolutely in the right place. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Rom Com movies or just someone who appreciates Sandra Bullock kicking butt in a ball gown, this Miss Congeniality drinking game will take your movie night from “meh” to ‘“smash the crown” level of fun.
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Miss Congeniality Drinking Game Rules
This is where the magic happens. The rules below are designed to keep the fun flowing without turning the night into a memory-wipe blackout by the first half-hour. Adapt them to your group’s drinking style — whether you’re sticking to cocktails, sipping mocktails, or rocking straight-up water like a hydrated queen.
Take a Sip When:
- Gracie trips, stumbles, or does anything awkward
- Someone says “FBI”
- There’s a makeover montage scene
- Anyone mentions “Miss United States”
- Michael Caine’s character (Victor) throws shade or makes you roll your eyes
Take Two Sips When:
- Someone says “April 25th”
- Gracie performs the self-defense demonstration (“S.I.N.G.! Solar plexus, Instep, Nose, Groin!”)
- Victor dramatically removes or adjusts his glasses
- There’s an explosion (this is an action comedy, after all)
Finish Your Drink When:
- Gracie sings “You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman”
- The crown explodes at the pageant’s climax
- Gracie fully embraces her pageant queen glow-up (and yes, you’ll know the moment)
Optional Reddit-inspired twist:
If someone forgets to drink when they’re supposed to, they have to answer a pageant question on the spot like, “What is your idea of perfect happiness?”
Need to keep track of these rules without checking your phone every five minutes? Print out the checklist and slap it on the snack table (downloadable printable coming at the end of this guide).
The “April 25th” Perfect Date Challenge
Because let’s be honest — that line is why half of us showed up to this movie night in the first place.
Honor the most iconic pageant answer of all time with this simple but hilarious mini-game, perfect for keeping the laughs (and the drinks) flowing.
How to Play:
- Every time “April 25th” is mentioned on screen, the group pauses for a quick round of The Perfect Date Challenge.
- One player (rotate each time) must describe their own “perfect date” — but here’s the twist: They can’t say “dinner,” “movie,” or “walk on the beach.” Get creative, pageant-style!
- If the group votes their answer is too basic or not fabulous enough? They drink.
- If they absolutely crush it (bonus points for heartfelt or hilariously weird answers)? They get to assign a drink to someone else.
Bonus Round (Optional Upgrade):
Everyone must wear a light jacket (or any jacket) during the challenge. Forget your jacket? One sip.
Pro Tip: Give a small prize (like a paper sash or a toy tiara) to whoever delivers the best Perfect Date answer of the night. Because world peace is important… but so is commitment to the bit.
Sip Like a Queen: Mocktails for Your Miss Congeniality Movie Night
What’s a pageant-themed movie night without a little sparkle in your glass? Whether you’re channeling your inner Gracie Lou Freebush with full-on cocktail glam or keeping things classy (and hangover-free) with a mocktail in hand, these drinks are here to make sure everyone feels like a winner. So grab your crown, strike your best pageant pose, and let’s get sipping.
Themed Cocktails (For Those Ready to Go Full Pageant Glam)
If you’re here to play hard (and sparkle harder), these Miss Congeniality-inspired cocktails bring the drama, the flair, and a little liquid courage for your best pageant wave.
1. FBI Secret Punch: Vodka, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, and a splash of club soda, served over ice with fresh lime slices and mint for a punch bowl that makes a statement — because if you’re hosting, you deserve a little drama.
2. Pageant Queen Martini: Gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, and a splash of simple syrup, shaken well and served in a martini glass with an edible glitter rim — because this is a pageant, not a PTA meeting.
3. Sandra Bullock’s Salty Sweet Margarita: Tequila, triple sec, and lime juice with a donut sugar rim (yes, donut — finely crushed and mixed with sugar for that perfect chaotic touch). Sweet, salty, and just a little unpredictable… exactly how Gracie Lou Freebush would want it.
Mocktail Magic (Because World Peace Shouldn’t Come with a Hangover)
Keep the sparkle, skip the buzz. These mocktails are perfect for designated drivers, non-drinkers, or anyone who wants to sip like a queen and still nail their morning plans.
1. World Peace Punch: Cranberry juice, lime sparkling water, and a splash of orange juice over ice. Garnish with a lime wedge — and an optional paper umbrella, because why not?
2. Undercover Agent Sparkler: Blueberry lemonade topped with club soda, fresh mint leaves, and blueberries floating like tiny undercover surveillance devices.
3. Gliding Grape Fizz: Grape juice, lemon soda, crushed ice, and a twist of lemon peel. Fresh, fizzy, and just the right amount of extra.
Miss Congeniality Movie Night Ideas to Level Up the Fun
Why settle for basic when you can go full Gracie Lou Freebush? These wild and creative Miss Congeniality drinking game twists will keep you laughing, sipping, and striking your fiercest pageant pose all night long.
1. The Gracie Lou Freebush Catwalk Challenge
Whenever there’s a walk-off scene or pageant stage moment…
- Everyone must stand up and give their best catwalk down the “runway” (your living room carpet counts).
- The last person to strike a pose? Two sips!
- Bonus: Award a plastic tiara to the best pose of the night. Loser wears socks on their hands for the next round.
2. FBI Undercover Roleplay Rule
At the beginning of the movie, assign one player to be the “Undercover Agent”.
- Their mission? Secretly assign a code name to everyone else (like “Texas Twinkle” or “Operation Glitterbomb”).
- If someone catches them using a code name out loud, the Agent drinks. If they make it through the whole movie without being caught? Everyone else takes a drink at the end.
3. “You Better Work It, Girl” Lip Sync-Off
Every time Gracie says something sarcastic or eye-roll worthy:
- Choose one player to lip-sync dramatically to any line from the movie (doesn’t have to be the actual scene playing).
- If they crush it? Applause and immunity.
- If they flop? Bottom two battle it out with a “Natural Woman” lip sync… winner picks who drinks.
4. S.I.N.G. Defense Drill Mode
The first person to shout “S.I.N.G.!” during the self-defense demo scene gets to assign two sips to any player.
- Miss the cue? You drink.
- Optional upgrade: Make everyone stand up and do the moves (Solar Plexus! Instep! Nose! Groin!) or they owe a penalty drink.
5. Pageant Question Lightning Round
Pause at random moments and throw out improvised beauty pageant questions like:
- “If you could solve one world problem, what would it be and why?”
- “Describe your perfect pizza topping arrangement.”
- “What is the most pageant-y way to order a taco?”
The best answer gets cheers. The worst? Take a drink and wear a random accessory (a feather boa, cat ears, a scarf as a sash—you get the idea).
6. “Miss United States Secret” Whisper Rule
Designate one player as the “Host”. Anytime they start a sentence with “I think…” or “In my opinion…” everyone else has to whisper “Miss United States” in their most dramatic voice.
- Forget to whisper? One sip.
- Overdo the whisper with full jazz hands? Immunity!
7. Cocktail Roulette (The April 25th Spin)
Make a spinning wheel (or use an app) with different Miss Congeniality-themed cocktail options.
- Options could include:
- The “April 25th Light Jacket”
- The “Self-Defense Spritzer”
- The “I’m Starving… and I’m Armed!” Espresso Martini
- The “Victor’s Eyebrow Raise” (straight tequila—because it’s classy and intense)
Spin once per act break and whatever it lands on, everyone makes that drink or a quick version of it.
8. Miss Congeniality Bingo (with a Twist!)
Create a bingo card with things like:
- “Gracie trips”
- “April 25th is mentioned”
- “Someone gasps dramatically”
- “Victor rolls his eyes”
- “Explosion!”
BUT—each bingo square filled = assign a drink to someone else. First person to bingo has to give their best pageant wave for the rest of the movie (yes, hand in a gentle C-shape, elbow at a perfect 45-degree angle).
The best movie nights are the ones where you’ve got a little structure, a lot of laughter, and zero pressure to “win” — just good times and maybe some shaky pageant waves by the end of the night.
There you have it — your ultimate guide to throwing a Miss Congeniality drinking game night that’s equal parts fabulous, hilarious, and just the right amount of chaotic.