Game Day Entertaining
How To Create A Game Day Cocktail Cart
Hear, Hear!
Cocktails are the quintessential ingredient that set the tone for a lovely afternoon of catching up with friends & anticipating what lies ahead for your best alma mater or team affiliation. We’ve been patiently waiting for the day to arrive so it’s a good idea to be prepared for the worthy occasion by taking stock in bar essentials & creating a foundation of items that you’ll reach for throughout the next several months. Start by assessing glassware, acrylic tumblers & disposable goods. Next, consider simple tools that may be needed in order to blend the perfect concoction. Make a list of wine, beer, liquor, mixers & accoutrements that may be used in fan-favorite drinks. Have a stash of beverage napkins in team colors that can be used all season long & be certain to craft a few homemade Pennant Swizzle Sticks that guests can use to stir their with cocktails while enjoying them. Offering a signature beverage is a wonderful way to set the tone for the day. Southern sweetened iced tea is a lovely starting point to create an inviting libation to sip on a scorching September afternoon. Alabama fans can revel in a variation on a classic Tuscaloosa specialty, Yellowhammer Sweet Tea Cocktails, while Auburn fans can raise a glass in honor of their beloved Toomer’s Drugs with the Magnolia Avenue Sweet Tea Cocktail. There’s still time to organize the bar cart so be certain to follow my tips as outlined in The Essential Tailgating Social Cocktail Primer & get ready to kick-off football festivities filled with family, friends, stories in the making & lots of laughter guaranteed to make it the best season to date.
Yellowhammer Sweet Tea Cocktail
makes about 6 servings
Style Points
Orange curls & cherries add a special touch to a Crimson Tide signature cocktail designed to toast a season of casual get togethers.
4 cups sweetened iced tea
1 cup light rum
1 {6-oz} can pineapple juice, chilled
1/2 cup orange juice, chilled
1 Tbsp maraschino cherry juice
1/2 tsp almond extract
Garnish: Maraschino cherries & orange curls
Combine the first 6 ingredients in a pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.
The Extra Point
Substitute bourbon for the rum, if desired.
Magnolia Avenue Sweet Tea Cocktail
makes about 6 servings
Style Points
The lemonade salutes an Auburn landmark, Toomer’s Drugs. Thinly sliced lemon infuses additional citrus into each cocktail & brightens the glass without flaw.
4 cups sweetened iced tea
2 cups lemonade, chilled
1 cup light rum
1/2 cup orange juice, chilled
Garnishes: Lemon slices
Stir together the first 4 ingredients in a pitcher. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired.
The Extra Point
For extra team spirit, garnish glasses with blueberries & orange wedges.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Create A Game Day Cocktail Cart
Establishing the perfect football Saturday cocktail cart is a cinch.
Gather items together well before the festivities get into full swing.
With my pointers, you’ll be well prepared for a season of celebratory toasts.
The Essential Tailgating Social Cocktail Primer
Planning & logistics is the key to any great gathering so put on your game face.
Get a refreshing playbook in order for effortless sipping all season long.
No. 1
The Scene
Creating a lovely space for mixing & serving beverages is one of the most fundamental things a hostess can do to ensure a lively but efficient day. Have a table designed specifically for drinks & cocktails. Ice down soft drinks, water & beer in wagons or beverage tubs so guests can grab those items more easily. Organize glasses, napkins & extras on trays so serving can be handled more quickly.
No. 2
The Glassware
Assess stock & pick up extras ahead of time. When having guests in your home for a game, put the red solo cups aside & offer simple glassware or tumblers. For tailgating under the tent, pretty plastic & paper goods may be a more practical route to take. Mason jars are a wonderful option for either occasion as they’re sturdy, a smart buy & easy to find from the corner grocery. Have a small cooler handy filled with soapy water to contain them once used for easy clean up later.
Highball Glass
Water, sweet tea, lemonade, beer & soft drinks are always welcome in these hard working players. Highballs are the MVP’s of the beverage game. Be certain to invest in a good stash ranging from 8-oz to 12-oz in size.
Old-Fashioned or Lowball Glass
Short tumblers are always appropriate when whiskey & mixed drinks served “on the rocks” come into play.
Martini or Cocktail Glass
Although optional, a special cocktail does deserve a chic little jewel. If martini’s or cosmopolitan’s beckon, by all means have a few of these on hand.
The Optional Glasses
Stemless wine glasses & champagne flutes come in a variety of mediums so pick up finishes that best suit your lifestyle. If Moscow Mules are a favorite, add the iconic copper mugs to your repertoire.
No. 3
The Spirits… Etc
Game Day favorites certainly begin with bourbon, whiskey & vodka. Wine & champagne have become increasingly popular in their own right. You know your crowd best so pick up the items your fans love to indulge in. Don’t forget the mixers which also serve as non-alcoholic options. From Bloody Mary blends & soft drinks to tonic water & club soda, these staples will serve you well time & time again. Always have plenty of bottled water on hand for good measure.
The Garnishes
Great handcrafted cocktails deserve a pretty finishing touch that speaks to the libation. Olives, pickled okra & cocktail onions can be dropped into glasses or perched on rims. If margaritas are a favorite, have kosher salt ready on a small plate for a classic touch. Fresh citrus, cranberries & cherries are always welcome additions to a variety of specialty concoctions as well.
No. 4
The Barware
Have tools available right out of the gate so no one is fumbling when it’s time to make a toast. A long-handled spoon is ideal to have on hand to create a stir. A small kit filled with a corkscrew, a cutting board, a paring knife, a jigger & a shaker get the festivities underway quickly.
The Rocks
Fresh ice is a fundamental ingredient when making fabulous cocktails so don’t overlook it. Have a cooler or ice bucket filled with taint-free cubes plus a scoop for sanitary handling.
The Style Points
Once a lovely cocktail has been prepared or poured, finish the creation with Pennant Swizzle Sticks.
The Technique
Purchase wooden picks or skewers in a variety of sizes from 6 to 12-inches in length.
Choose a signature cocktail & glass to feature for the occasion.
Cut the skewers, if necessary, an inch or two above the lip.
Snip 1 3/4 x 2 3/4-inch triangles to resemble pennants from craft paper.
Use greens, browns & neutrals or team colors. The paper design is your play call.
Pierce two holes on the short side of the pennant with a craft punch.
Weave the wooden picks or skewers through the holes.
Pop into glasses just before serving & sprinkle throughout the area for a bit of charm.
etc
Game Day Entertaining 101
Visit these posts for more football & tailgating party inspiration
The Ultimate Game Day Snack Mix
Game Day Cocktails 101: Margarita Mimosas
Game Day Logistics 101: Kick-Off A Smashing Tailgate Season
Game Day Provisions 101: Gridiron Whiskey Caramel Corn
Game Day Crafts 101: Tag Football Sacks
Game Day Crafts 101: Gridiron Tailgating Bags
Game Day Crafts 101: Almond Footballs
The Tune
“Down The Road Apiece” Chuck Berry
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Rebecca Gordon
Be sweet.
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