Best Recipes for Tailgate Drinks

Tailgate season just isn't complete without several tailgating drinks to warm things up before the big game. Since the temperatures dip during fall tailgating season, it's tempting to make a few heated and fuzzy tailgate drinks that can be easily transported anywhere in a portable thermos. We've put together a list of easy, favorite tailgating recipes to try this game season. Try one or try them all! 

Tailgate drink recipes: 

Classic Bloody Mary - Perfect for a morning game or brunch-time on Sunday. 

• 4 cups tomato juice
• 2 large lemons, juiced
• 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tbsp. horseradish
• 1 1/2 cloves of pressed garlic
• 2 tsp. coarsely ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1-6 shots plain vodka (one per drink)
• Celery sticks

Combine tomato juice, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, garlic, pepper and Tabasco in a plastic container with seal-tight lid. Shake for several minutes, until thoroughly mixed. Pour equally into six glasses and add a shot of vodka. Add a celery stick for munching and garnish. 

Irish Coffee - A warm and tasty cocktail plus a caffeine pick-me-up for anytime of day. 

• 1 shot Irish cream liqueur
• 1 shot jigger Irish whiskey
• 1 cup hot brewed coffee
• 1 tbsp. fresh whipped cream
• 1 dash ground nutmeg

In a coffee mug or thermos, combine Irish cream and Irish whiskey and add the coffee. Top with fresh whipped cream and nutmeg. 

Spiked and Spicy Apple Cider - Perfect for fall and best when made with fresh apple cider. 

• 1/4 gallon apple cider (fresh is best!)
• 1/2 cup dark rum
• 1/2 cup cinnamon schnapps
• 1 in-season apple, peeled, cut into large chunks
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• Grated cinnamon

Mix together cider, rum and schnapps in a large pitcher. Add the apples to a small bowl and toss them with the lemon juice and cinnamon. Thread the diced apples onto skewers. Pour equal amounts of spiked cider into glasses with ice, then garnish with an apple skewer and serve.

Strawberry Beer Cocktail - A refreshing take on the classic flavored beer. 

• 3/4 cup fresh strawberries, washed and smashed
• 3 1/2 (12-oz.) bottles pale ale beer, chilled
• 1 (12-oz.) container frozen strawberry lemonade concentrate, thawed
• 1/2 cup vodka

Combine beer, lemonade, strawberries and vodka in a pitcher. Serve equal amounts into beer mugs with crushed ice and garnish with fresh strawberries. 

Apple Pie Moonshine - Almost as delicious as dessert, this is a yummy cocktail for the last minutes of any game. 

• 1/2 gallon 100% apple juice
• 1/2 gallon apple cider
• 4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 whole clove
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 3 cups 190 proof grain alcohol (such as Everclear®)
• 2 cups vanilla vodka

Combine the apple cider, apple juice, cinnamon stick, whole clove, white sugar, and brown sugar together in a large pot and heat at medium low and then simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Stir in the grain alcohol and vanilla vodka into the cooled mixture and serve or pour into bottles and refridgerate. 

Have fun trying these tailgating recipes during any sports season and add a little refreshment to the celebration.