• by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, 5 hours ago

“Wars” is in the title of the new E! competition show “Cocktail Wars,” but this high-spirited mix match is no barroom brawl.

Modeled after TV’s many cooking competitions, this congenial half-hour show pits three mixologists (once known as bartenders) in a series of challenges to make the tastiest alcoholic beverage out of a main ingredient specified by the show’s panel of judges -- three regulars and one guest judge. “Cocktail Wars” premieres Tuesday on Versant-owned E!.

Two of the judges are definitely in-sync with each other -- former NSYNC members Joey Fatone, 49, and Lance Bass, 47 (above photo).

The third regular is Melissa Brooke, described as an “expert mixologist” in the E! publicity materials. 

The guest judge in Episode One of “Cocktail Wars” that the TV Blog previewed on Friday is E! personality Justin Sylvester.

Future guest judges will include “Gilmore Girls” star Lauren Graham, wrestler Braun Strowman and Rachel Maddow from Versant-owned MS Now.

But the real stars of the show are the many brands of spirits and drink mixers which Versant has invited to belly up to the bar.

These in-show sponsors are identified mainly in lists of the ingredients in each creative cocktail.

For example, the main ingredient in the first round of Episode One is Jack Daniels Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey. 

The brand is mentioned by name and its distinctive four-sided bottle is displayed.

In the first cocktail in Round One, called the Pick Me Up, Jack Daniels is mixed with Domaine De Canton Ginger Liqueur and Amaro Santa Maria Al Monte, brands owned by Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Distilleries and Italy’s Gruppo Caffo (Caffo Group), respectively.

In addition to its famous No. 7 whiskey, one of Jack Daniels’ flavored whiskeys -- apple -- is a featured ingredient in another cocktail along with Fee Brothers Black Walnut Bitters and Monin Honey Syrup.

Other bitters from Rochester, New York-based Fee Brothers seen on the show include Turkish Tobacco and Black Walnut & Peaches. 

Other Caffo brands on the show include Vecchio Amaro Del Capo liqueur, Caffo Red Bitters and Cinzano Vermouth Rosso.

Also featured as a main ingredient in one of the competitions seen on the premiere of “Cocktail Wars” is Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon, owned by Brown-Forman Corp.

The coffee brand Café Bustelo is also in the mix on “Cocktail Wars” as part of a drink called the Dirty Cha Cha.

Here’s mud in your eye!