10 Great Game Day Cocktails

Are you as excited for football as we are? Here are 10 great game day cocktails to impress your guests (or yourself!) for every weekend this fall.

1. The Touchdown Toddy
   Recipe:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 4 oz hot apple cider
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 lemon wheel

Combine bourbon, hot cider, and honey in a mug. Stir until honey dissolves. Garnish with cinnamon stick and lemon wheel.

Pair with: Spicy chicken wings

2. Gridiron Ginger Mule
   Recipe:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz lime juice
• 4 oz ginger beer
• 1 oz cranberry juice
• Lime wedge for garnish

Build in a copper mug filled with ice. Stir gently and garnish with lime wedge.

Pair with: Pulled pork sliders

3. Tailgate Punch (serves 8-10)
   Recipe:

• 2 cups rum
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 4 cups fresh apple cider
• 1 bottle sparkling wine
• Sliced apples and oranges for garnish

Combine all ingredients except sparkling wine in a punch bowl. Add ice and fruit slices. Top with sparkling wine just before serving.

Pair with: Cheese and charcuterie board

4. The Hail Mary Bloody Mary
   Recipe:

• 2 oz bacon-infused vodka
• 4 oz tomato juice
• 0.5 oz lemon juice
• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce
• 2 dashes hot sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garnish: mini slider, pickle spear, olive, celery stick

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a tall glass filled with ice. Add garnishes.

Pair with: Loaded potato skins

5. Alma Mater Old Fashioned
   Recipe:

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.25 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash chocolate bitters
• Orange peel for garnish

Stir ingredients with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express orange peel over drink and use as garnish.

Pair with: Candied pecans

6. Fourth Quarter Fireball (shooter)
   Recipe:

• 1 oz cinnamon whiskey
• 0.5 oz apple schnapps
• 0.5 oz hard cider

Shake cinnamon whiskey and apple schnapps with ice. Strain into a shot glass and top with hard cider.

Pair with: Apple pie bites

7. Pigskin Pomegranate Margarita
   Recipe:

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz pomegranate juice
• 0.75 oz lime juice
• 0.5 oz agave nectar
• Cinnamon-sugar rim

Shake all ingredients with ice. Strain into a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Pair with: Guacamole and chips

8. End Zone Espresso Martini
   Recipe:

• 2 oz vodka
• 1 oz coffee liqueur
• 1 oz fresh espresso
• 0.25 oz pumpkin spice syrup
• Coffee beans for garnish

Shake all ingredients vigorously with ice. Double strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with coffee beans.

Pair with: Chocolate truffles

9. Victory Lap Hot Chocolate
   Recipe:

• 6 oz hot chocolate
• 1.5 oz bourbon
• 0.5 oz hazelnut liqueur
• Whipped cream and cocoa powder for garnish

Combine hot chocolate, bourbon, and hazelnut liqueur in a mug. Top with whipped cream and dust with cocoa powder.

Pair with: Cinnamon sugar cookies

10. Homecoming Harvest Sangria (serves 6-8)
    Recipe:

• 1 bottle white wine
• 1 cup apple brandy
• 2 apples, diced
• 2 pears, diced
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 cups club soda

Combine all ingredients except club soda in a pitcher. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Add club soda just before serving.

Pair with: Brie and apple crostini

Remember to enjoy these cocktails responsibly and always have designated drivers or alternative transportation available for your guests. These pairings should complement both the drinks and the game day atmosphere! Order online or stop by Metrobottle and we will get you all set up with the ingredients for some pigskin viewing. Our Bourbon Club is coming soon!