If there are two things Americans love, it’s football...and drinking while watching football. Luckily, these two American pastimes marry perfectly on football’s biggest Sunday of the year, when tailgates and living room watch parties rule the day.
As you’re stocking up on buffalo chicken dip and trays of sliders for the big game, don’t forget to grab an assortment of beverages that you and your guests can sip between bites. If you’re not sure where to start, look no further than this handy guide to the best wines, beers, spirits, ready-to-drink cocktails and easy cocktail recipes for game day.
Snap to it!
If you only have time to grab a few bottles before kickoff, reach for these ABC guest favorite wines and spirits. They’re tried and true bottles that our guests keep coming back for, and for good reason! Highly mixable and crowd-pleasing, these bottles will keep everyone’s cups full during football season and beyond.
During the game days of old, ready-to-drink cocktails were mainly seltzers. Not so anymore, fellow armchair quarterback. Now, we’ve got delicious still and sparkling beverages, boozy iced teas, lemonades and more, all made with premium spirits and tasty, fresh ingredients. Pick up one of our guests’ favorite ready-to-drink party packs below to fuel your game day get-together.
Would it even be game day without a 24-pack of beer chilling in the fridge? Keeping a refreshing, light beer stocked is classic, but don’t forget your guests who prefer IPAs or craft beer! Step into one of ABC’s ice-cold beer fridges to find some cold ones to crack open with your friends.
Nothing beats a freshly mixed margarita, Bloody Mary or bourbon punch during Super Sunday. If it’s only you and close fam and friends, feel free to play bartender and mix up a few single-serving drinks, but if you’re hosting a larger watch party gathering, definitely go for one of the batch recipes bolded below. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re enjoying the game with everyone else instead of mixing more drinks!
The Recipe
1 ½ ounces Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka
4 ounces ginger beer
3 lime wedges, divided
Mint
Add vodka, ginger beer and lime juice in a copper mug with ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint.
The Recipe
2 ounces 1800 Silver Tequila
1 ounce Russo Amalfi Limoncello
3-4 basil leaves
2 ounces ginger beer
Salt
Rim a rocks glass with salt and lime. Set aside. Add tequila, limoncello and basil leaves to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake and strain into the prepared glass over ice. Top with ginger beer. Garnish with a lime wedge.
The Recipe
2 ounces Pendleton Canadian Whisky
4 ounces Bloody Mary mix
¾ ounce Worcestershire
Black pepper
Hot sauce
Add whisky, Bloody Mary mix, Worcestershire, celery salt, pepper and hot sauce to taste to a glass over ice. Stir to combine. Garnish with a skewered olive and lime wedge.
The Recipe
4 ounces lemon juice
4 ounces simple syrup
10-12 ounces ginger ale
Split Brother’s Bond Bourbon, lemon and simple syrup into two parts. Shake each part with ice for 5-10 seconds. Strain into a punch bowl filled with ice. Top with ginger ale or ginger beer for more of a kick.
The Recipe
1 cup black tea water, cooled
½ cup fresh lemon juice
1 cup Column 5 Texas Vodka
Raspberries
Pour the orange liqueur, cooled black tea, lemon juice and vodka into a pitcher and stir to combine. Once mixed, add lemon wheels and raspberries. Chill if desired, then serve.
Now that you have the drinks down...what about watch party snacks? Check out our recipe round-up of the best boozy game day dips below.
