As much fun as it is to come up with creative tailgating menus, it’s also great to have a fun drink to go along with your meal. We always have beer and waters and some soft drinks, but for those that are interested, we also try to have a fun drink to go along with what we’re serving up that day.

Whether it’s 95 degrees in Alabama in September or FREEZING temperatures with sleet and snow in Kentucky in November, there’s a drink to go along with your tailgate – and that can help set the mood (or drown your sorrows as the case may be) for any game.

Here are some of our favorites:

TRANSFUSION
(as mentioned in an earlier post – courtesy of our good friend Bill)

This drink is perfect for a smouldering day before a football game.
Vodka
Welch’s grape juice
Fresca

It’s delicious and refreshing. Can top with a lime wedge if you want.

SAILOR’S PUNCH
Everyone that tries this drink loves it. But the ingredients will surprise you…
6 oz. vodka
6 oz. frozen limeade concentrate
12 oz. beer (any beer you like)

Put all ingredients into a blender and add ice. Blend and enjoy!

MADRAS
Simple but delish – especially for a brunch on a hot day.

Vodka
Cranberry
Orange Juice

TIPSY ARNOLD PALMER

Vodka
Iced Tea
Lemonade
mint (optional)

SALTY DOG
Vodka
Grapefruit Juice (the best you can buy)

BLOODY MARY

Totally cheating here, but my husband and I were at a golf tournament and had the absolute best Bloody Mary we’d ever tasted. Turns out it was from a bottled mix, and now we purchase it with regularity.
Vodka
Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix (the best!)

THE BEST MANGO MARGARITA THIS SIDE OF CABO

(for 1 drink)
1 1/4 oz tequila
1 oz triple sec
1/2 oz lemon juice
2 oz simple syrup or sweet n sour mix
3/4 cup pureed fresh mango

MIMOSA

Champagne
OJ
splash of chambourd

or you could amp it up a bit and choose the Martha Stewart version:

Ingredients

6 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tablespoons orange flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier
Prosecco, chilled
Fresh mint leaf
In a Champagne flute, mix together orange juice, lemon juice, and liqueur. Fill with Prosecco. Garnish with mint leaf and serve immediately.

ELECTRIC EEL

3-4 sage leaves
2 oz pineapple juice (can also make with cranberry juice)
3/4 oz simple syrup
1/2 oz lemon juice
2 oz vodka

Mix together and enjoy!

BIKINI
2 parts coconut rum
1 part vodka
pineapple juice
splash of grenadine

SUPER MAI TAI

2 oz. light rum
3/4 oz. triple sec
1/2 oz. Rose’s lime juice
3 oz. pineapple juice
3 oz. orange juice
1 dash Grenadine
1 oz. dark rum
Mix all ingredients except grenadine in a shaker; mix well. Pour into tall glass, add grenadine, garnish with pineapple and cherries, and serve!

Cheryl’s drink
(courtesy of my best friend, Cheryl Altshuler)
1 shot vodka
equal amounts of Sprite and Orange Pineapple Banana juice
garnish with citrus fruit wedges and a cherry!

Sangria

1 750ml bottle fruity red wine
1 1/2 gallon carton orange juice
1/2 cup brandy
1/2 cup triple sec
1 bottle Absolut Vodka
1/8 cup lime juice
2 apples, sliced
2 oranges, segmented
10 grapes
1 2-liter bottle 7-up (I use Diet 7-up)

Prepare a large pitcher or bowl. Pour in the red wine, orange juice, brandy, triple sec, vodka, lime juice. Add in the apples, oranges and grapes. Let the mixture sit in the fridge for at least two hours, and preferably overnight so the fruit flavors all soak into the liquids.

Just before serving, add in the 7-up so the bubbles are fresh. Serve over ice.

Cold Weather Game Drinks:

HOT SCHNOCOLATE

Hot Chocolate mixed with
1 shot of Peppermint Schnapps

HOT APPLE CIDER WITH BOURBON (OR RUM)

4 cups of apple cider
Juice of one lemon
1 cinnamon stick
1 cup of bourbon (add after pouring the above into mugs)

APPLE CIDER MARGARITAS

serves 1, easily multiples
1 ounce Grand Marnier
1 ounce gold tequila
5-6 ounces sweet apple cider
orange segments and apple slices
cinnamon + cane sugar + coarse sugar for glass rimming
cinnamon sticks for garnish

Add a few spoonfuls of cane sugar, coarse sugar and cinnamon to a plate. Run an orange segment around the edge of the glass, then press into the cinnamon sugar mixture to coat the rim. Add a few orange slices in the bottom of the glass, fill with ice, then add the Grand Marnier, tequila and apple cider and stir to mix. Garnish with apple slices and cinnamon sticks. Enjoy!

created by Cheri Loughlin

Photo Credit: Cheri Loughlin

1 ounce Jagermeister

1/2 ounce Peach Schnapps

3/4 ounce Bacardi Peach Red

2 ounces Orange Juice

Orange Slices Garnish

Build over ice in highball glass. Garnish with orange slices.  ENJOY!!!

Photo Credit: Cate Bogue