It’s officially time to say “Bye, Bye, Bye” to the same old happy hour, because two of the most beloved heartthrobs of a generation are swapping their microphones for mixing tins. Lance Bass and Joey Fatone, the dynamic duo that once ruled the world as part of NSync, are back together in the most unexpected and delicious way possible: as the hosts of E!’s brand-new cocktail competition series, Cocktail Wars*. The show is exactly what it sounds like—an all-out, splash-filled battle where amateur bartenders go head-to-head, muddling, shaking, and pouring their hearts out in themed challenges, all while hoping to impress a panel of judges that includes the two former boy band icons. But here’s the thing: Bass and Fatone are not exactly claiming to be master mixologists. In fact, they’re refreshingly honest about their credentials. During a recent chat at the show’s premiere, Bass, 47, laughed as he admitted, “We thought we knew cocktails until we started doing this show.” Fatone, 49, chimed in with a grin, adding that by the end of the season, they had picked up a thing or two. Bass, ever the jokester, summed up their newfound expertise in the most humble way possible: the two of them were essentially just “fake experts.” And honestly, that’s part of the charm. This isn’t a stuffy, pretentious cooking competition where judges take themselves too seriously. It’s a fun, fizzy, and surprisingly heartfelt celebration of creativity, friendship, and the joy of discovering something new—one cocktail at a time.
The journey to becoming fake experts was, as it turns out, a lifelong one. Long before Cocktail Wars ever came to be, Bass and Fatone were already getting a somewhat informal education in cocktails while living life on the road with one of the biggest bands in music history. Touring the world means a lot of downtime, a lot of new cities, and a lot of opportunities to sample what local bars had to offer. Fatone got nostalgic when reflecting on those days, remembering how he and his bandmates would explore different states and countries, always on the lookout for a drink worth talking about. “We’ve toured around the world, gone to many different states in America as well, and tried a lot of cocktails,” he said. They had their fair share of hits and misses, learning what they liked and what they absolutely couldn’t stand. For Fatone, one of those dislikes was gin. For years, he avoided it entirely, convinced it just wasn’t for him. But Cocktail Wars changed all that. “I would never really drink gin. I never liked it,” he admitted. “But a lot of the actual drinks that people have made in this competition, I like gin, crazy.” It turns out he wasn’t the only one undergoing a gin awakening on set. Melissa Brooke, a professional mixologist who has led cocktail programs at Michelin-starred restaurants, joined Bass and Fatone as a host and judge for the season’s challenges. She revealed that she was personally responsible for converting Bass into a gin fan, and she also noticed Fatone developing a newfound “affinity” for blackberry whiskey along the way. Who knew a reality competition could be such a catalyst for personal growth? It’s proof that even after decades in the spotlight, these two are still open to changing their minds—especially when the right cocktail comes along.
Of course, their relationship with alcohol has evolved far beyond just acquiring a taste for new spirits. Back in their boy band days, when the world was memorizing their frosted tips, goatees, and perfectly synchronized choreography, their drink orders were a lot simpler—and a lot less refined. Fatone used to keep things classic with a rum and Coke, while Bass was loyal to the equally straightforward Jack and Coke. Those were the days when a cocktail was less about savoring the flavors and more about just having a good time. But now, as grown men with a little more life experience under their belts, they see things differently. Bass reflected on how much his mindset has shifted with age. For him, drinking is no longer about getting a buzz or rushing through a night out. Instead, it’s about the ritual, the company, and the experience. “I think I enjoy the experience of getting with friends and having a cocktail, and just that experience is different now at an older age than just being young and just being like ‘get me drunk!’” he explained. That mature perspective is something that seems to have seeped into every corner of Cocktail Wars. Watching the contestants pour their hearts into their creations has made Fatone something of an amateur mixologist himself. He confessed that he now goes to bars and finds himself asking all sorts of technical questions, much to the amusement of the bartenders. “There’s a lot of science to a lot of this stuff,” he said. “Now I’m like literally going to the bar going ‘Do I taste that?’, ‘Excuse me, is there a wash line?’, ‘What are they using in there?’ [and] ‘What is that?’” It’s a delightful image: a global superstar turned cocktail nerd, leaning over the bar with genuine curiosity, determined to understand the craft a little better.
The competition itself is no joke, even if the hosts are having a blast. Each episode of Cocktail Wars brings in a fresh batch of mixologists who go head-to-head in themed challenges designed to test their skills, creativity, and nerve. The stakes are high, with a $10,000 prize on the line, and judges aren’t just looking for something that tastes good—they want to see beautiful presentation, bold originality, and the kind of confident execution that separates amateurs from true artists. The pressure is real, and even a seasoned professional like Melissa Brooke felt the heat just from watching. “I don’t know that I would want to be a contestant on the show,” she admitted, going on to single out the season’s stencil challenge as something she wouldn’t dare attempt, despite her years of experience in some of the most demanding kitchens and bars in the world. The competition made her appreciate her own profession on a whole new level. “I even further recognize how difficult the job is that I do for a living,” she said. That level of respect is exactly what makes the show so compelling. It’s not just about watching people make drinks; it’s about witnessing the passion and precision that goes into every pour. The contestants are fierce, the challenges are unforgiving, and the clock is always ticking. But even with all that tension, there’s a warmth to the show that sets it apart. Bass and Fatone bring their signature easygoing chemistry, turning every episode into something that feels less like a cutthroat competition and more like a party where everyone is rooting for each other—even as they’re trying to win a life-changing chunk of cash.
Adding to the fun is an impressive and delightfully eclectic lineup of guest judges who stop by throughout the season to share their opinions, offer a little guidance, and occasionally throw the contestants for a loop. One of the standout guests is drag icon Peppermint, who said that saying yes to the show was an easy decision. She was thrilled to step into the competition alongside Bass and Fatone, but she also made it very clear from the start exactly where her priorities lay when it came to judging. “I’d rather the drink look good and taste bad than taste good and look horrible,” she told Us. It is a gloriously honest and unapologetically visual take on cocktail judging, and it’s exactly the kind of playful energy that makes the show so much fun to watch. The rotating cast of famous faces joining the judges’ table is surprising in the best way possible. Political commentator Rachel Maddow, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Melissa Gorga, actor Seth Green, and Real Housewives of New York alums Sonja Morgan and Ramona Singer are all set to appear. It’s a wonderfully random mix of personalities, and that diversity of perspective means contestants can never predict exactly what the judges are looking for. One night might be all about flavor profiles, while another might be about visual flair. One judge might be looking for something nostalgic, while another wants to be blown away by innovation. It keeps everyone on their toes and, for viewers, it makes for some truly memorable television moments.
Cocktail Wars is poised to be a delightful surprise for audiences when it premieres on August 18 at 10 P.M. ET/PT on E!. It’s a show that has a little something for everyone: nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the boy band era, genuine cocktail inspiration for home bartenders, and the kind of lighthearted, feel-good competition that feels like a perfect escape from the stress of the real world. For longtime fans of Bass and Fatone, there is something deeply satisfying about seeing the two of them back together, laughing, joking, and clearly having the time of their lives. Their friendship has only grown warmer with age, and that comfort and affection are on full display in every episode. But even people who don’t know their NSync lore will find plenty to love. The show celebrates creativity, resilience, and the simple joy of mixing something beautiful in a glass. It’s about taking a risk, trying a weird ingredient, or putting a new spin on an old classic—and that’s something everyone can raise a glass to. So whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur, a casual fan, or someone who just wants to watch two charming former pop stars try their best to sound like expert mixologists, Cocktail Wars* is worth marking your calendar for. As Bass himself might say, it’s time to shake things up. And honestly, there’s no better way to do that than with a show that promises equal parts fun, flavor, and fabulousness. Cheers to that.
