6 Easy Tailgate Drinks & Cocktails

The cars are parked, the grill is sizzling, and your facepaint is epic-yet-tasteful. Tailgating season is upon us, and everybody knows that the best times are usually had before the game even begins. Especially if your team is about to give up four touchdowns in the first half. 

Rolling a keg through the parking lot or digging through a cooler for a light beer certainly has its allure, but you’re ready to take your tailgate drinks to the next level. However, you don’t want to be the person dragging a full bar set-up through the parking lot. 

We’ve got you covered with our favorite easy tailgate drinks. 

#1 Spicy Bloody Mary

Getting the perfect spot in the parking lot means waking up at the crack of dawn. That means it’s technically brunch time, which means a Bloody Mary is mandatory. This version of the Bloody Mary is especially easy to put together if you’re also serving chicken wings at your tailgate party—you should already have the hot sauce and celery ready to go!

No fancy equipment needed, just toss the ingredients into a shaker with some ice, strain, and enjoy. Garnish with celery (if you’re fancy).

If you want to go the extra distance, throw some bacon on the grill for an extra smoky garnish. 

#2 The Candied Apple

Depending on where your favorite team plays, as the season unfolds, your tailgate party might start to resemble an arctic expedition. Nothing quite gets the chill out like a whiskey-infused cocktail. 

If you’re going to be drinking hot chocolate anyway, might as well get it as boozy and decadent as possible. For this recipe, melt down your SLIQ pops with the water that you’re boiling for the hot chocolate. Stir in the mix, then top with whipped cream and caramel sauce. 

#3 Whisky Lemon Punch

Not every tailgate party takes place on the frozen tundra. If you’re rooting for a team where the sun shines all fall and winter, you deserve a tailgate cocktail that’s breezy and bright and way simpler than even mixing together some hot cocoa. This tart cocktail mixes highball class with refreshing warm weather favorites. 

Pour over ice, and boom. Time for a toast to your team’s opponent’s demise. Simple and effective. If you’re feeling fancy, you could garnish this one with a sprig of rosemary. Or, if you happen to be tailgating at a golf event, mix in some iced tea for a proper John Daly. This is also a perfect way to learn how to drink whiskey since some people think whiskey on its own is too strong.

#4 Spiked Blueberry Lemonade

Maybe you’ve got the lemonade from the above recipe, but your favorite team’s colors are blue or purple. If that’s the case, you’ll need a tailgate drink that matches your jersey. 

Get some of your aggression out by muddling those blueberries and applaud yourself for incorporating fresh fruits into your tailgate party. Then, mix the muddled berries with your SLIQ pop and the lemonade for a joyously slushy treat that hopefully represents your team’s colors. 

#5 Blue Flavored Punch

While you might not technically be on the team, and your athletic performance today will be entirely judged on how well you stagger into the stadium, that doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need electrolytes. 

Pour your SLIQ pop into a glass, then add the pineapple juice, and then the sports drink. If you layer this cocktail correctly, you’re going to end up with a sweet-looking yellow-and-blue drink that will inspire admiration, especially if you’re tailgating in Los Angeles. 

#6 Spiked Root Beer

Tailgating is for the young and the young-at-heart. A classic version of a spiked root beer cocktail is the perfect treat after a game of touch-football in the parking lot. 

Just pour the following into a glass with ice:

Adding a scoop of vanilla ice cream to this is entirely optional but highly recommended. 

Get Ready to Cheer For SLIQ Pops

Our tailgate cocktails should have you ready to scream your heart out for the home team and maybe even dive through a folding table. (Don’t actually do this unless you’re from Buffalo. And even then, maybe not…)

SLIQ Spirited Alcohol Ice Pops make the perfect companion for your next tailgate party. Our premium ingredients, easy portability in coolers, and versatility in simple cocktail recipes will make them starters in your tailgate party line-up. In addition to tailgates, the pops are perfect for other occasions, such as Christmas, summer, or cozy fall whiskey cocktails.

But seriously: no breaking tables. 

 

Sources: 

  1. Delish. 13 Awesome (and Massive!) Tailgate Cocktails. https://www.delish.com/entertaining/g2947/easy-college-tailgate-cocktail-ideas/