Football season is in full swing, and while beer is a tried-and-true companion for the gridiron battles, there’s room to elevate your game-day experience with some football-themed cocktails. Whether tailgating at the stadium or hosting a watch party at home, these spirited concoctions will score points with your guests. Let’s break the huddle and dive into these game-changing drink recipes that excite your football festivities.
The Touchdown: A Spirited Arnold Palmer
For those seeking a refreshing alternative to beer, The Touchdown takes the classic Arnold Palmer and gives it a spirited twist with the addition of bourbon. This cocktail is the perfect blend of tangy and sweet, making it an ideal choice for sipping throughout the game.
- Ingredients: Your favorite bourbon, lemonade, iced tea
- Preparation: Mix equal parts lemonade and iced tea in an ice-filled glass. Add a generous shot of bourbon and stir to combine. Garnish with a lemon wedge for an extra touch of game-day flair.
Recipe:
Combine bourbon and iced tea (unsweetened works best) in a pint glass. Stir and add ice. Top with lemonade.
Quarterback Sack Shots: A Bold Party Starter
Ready to turn up the intensity? The Quarterback Sack Shots blend gin, vodka, triple sec, and Bloody Mary mix. With its bold flavor profile, this cocktail will surely get the tailgate or party started.
- Ingredients: Gin, vodka, triple sec, Bloody Mary mix
- Preparation: In a shaker filled with ice, combine equal parts gin, vodka, and triple sec with a splash of Bloody Mary mix. Shake well and strain into shot glasses. These powerful shots are a surefire way to ignite your team spirit.
Recipe:
- 2 oz of Gin
- 2 oz of Vodka
- 1 oz of Triple Sec
- 4 oz of bloody mary mix (or tomato juice)
- Tonic water
Combine all ingredients except tonic water in a shaker with ice. Shake to combine and strain the mixture among four shot glasses. Top each with a splash of tonic water.
The Kickoff: Beer with a Twist
If the idea of a football game without beer still feels like a flag on the play, The Kickoff offers the best of both worlds. This innovative cocktail combines the familiar taste of beer with the smooth kick of vodka, creating a familiar and thrilling drink.
- Ingredients: Vodka, your choice of beer
- Preparation: Fill a glass halfway with beer, then top with a shot of vodka. Stir gently to mix. This cocktail is a great way to enjoy the game with a familiar flavor but with an added kick.
Recipe:
Fill a pint glass with ice. Pour beer about 3/4 of the way to the rim. Top with a shot of vanilla vodka.
Football Cocktail Shaker: Mix in Style
And for those who take their mixology as seriously as their football, there’s something special for you. Imagine a stainless steel cocktail shaker designed like a football, complete with a kickoff tee stand. Not only does it serve as a functional tool for your cocktail creations, but it also doubles as a unique piece of game day decor.
These football-themed cocktails are more than just drinks; they celebrate the sport, bringing extra excitement and flavor to your game-day experience. Whether you’re in the mood for a refreshing Touchdown, ready to tackle some Quarterback Sack Shots, enjoying The Kickoff, or mixing drinks in your football-shaped shaker, these recipes will surely make you the MVP of any tailgate or watch party.