It’s Tailgating Season–Are You Ready?

Four drinks to make at your next Seahawks (or other beloved team) tailgating party

By Seattle Mag September 18, 2014

audible-defensive

The college and pro football season has already kicked-off, but don’t worry, if your tailgating efforts to date have been a bit behind, there is still plenty of time for you to make a run towards tailgating triumph before the season’s end. Instead of the trotting out the same old drink formations, throw the below into the tailgating lineup. The crowds will cheer, and you’ll be recognized as the champ in no time.

1. The Audible

This has a pretty strong kick (go Hauschka!), so it’s really ideal for the parking lot pre-game festivities–it’ll get you in the mood to scream for your team quickly. Because supporting the home team is best, I used a lot of local products here, too.

Cracked ice

2 ounces Woodinville Whiskey bourbon

1/2 ounce Letterpress limoncello

3/4 ounce orange juice

2 dashes Scrappy’s orange bitters

1. Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass halfway full with ice cubes. Add everything. Shake well.

2. Strain through a fine strainer into a cocktail glass or smallish football helmet. Drink and cheer, drink and cheer.

2. The Defensive Formation

This is closely related to the Audible above, and serves as its backup. If you’ve maybe had a couple too many Audibles, and are already ahead, it’s good to switch into the Defensive Formation. It has the same great flavors, but can be sipped longer without as much ka-pow.

Cracked ice

2 ounces Woodinville Whiskey bourbon

1/2 ounce Letterpress limoncello

3/4 ounce orange juice

2 dashes Scrappy’s orange bitters

Ice cubes

3 ounces chilled soda water

1. Fill a cocktail shaker or mixing glass halfway full with ice cubes. Add the bourbon, limoncello, orange juice, and bitters. Shake well.

2. Fill a highball or other comparable glass three-quarters up with ice cubes. Strain the mix from Step 1 through a fine strainer over the ice and into the glass.

3. Fill the glass almost to the top with the club soda. Stir to combine. Drink and cheer, drink and cheer.

3. Football Punch

If you want to shy away from individual drinks on the big tailgating days (so you can pay more attention the grill, or body-painting), this is a renowned football beverage from my book Dark Spirits that’s made in a big batch.

Serves 10 

Ice cubes

One 750-milliliter bottle dark rum

16 ounces apple juice

10 ounces sweet vermouth

5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice

5 ounces freshly squeezed orange juice

Two 25.4-ounce bottles chilled sparkling apple cider

2 apples, cored and sliced

1. Fill a large punch bowl halfway full with ice cubes. Add the rum, apple juice, vermouth, lemon juice, and orange juice. Stir with a spoon or clean chin strap.

2. Add the sparkling apple cider, slowly and carefully. Stir well. Serve in punch glasses, mugs, or little plastic footballs.

4. Blue Train

Okay, this is a lighter drink than the above–but not every tailgating mix needs to be super strong. And, when the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, they had Champagne. So, this bubbly number from Champagne Cocktails is perfect to have before the games as they’re on their way to Super Bowl victory number two.

Ice cubes

1 -1/2 ounces brandy

1 ounce fresh pineapple juice

Chilled Champagne or sparkling wine

Pineapple chunk, for garnish (optional)

1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway full with ice cubes. Add the brandy and pineapple juice. Shake well.

2. Strain the mixture into a flute glass or other glass. Top with the chilled Champagne. Garnish with a pineapple chunk, skewered on a toothpick, if desired.

 

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