Game Day Cocktails: 12 Crowd-Pleasing Drinks for Football's Biggest Party

There's one Sunday in February that demands serious party planning. The big game brings together friends, family, food, and—if you're doing it right—fantastic drinks. Whether you're hosting twenty or watching with just a few close friends, the right cocktails elevate the experience from ordinary viewing party to memorable celebration.

The best game day drinks share a few qualities: they're easy to make in quantity, they please a crowd with varying tastes, and they won't keep you stuck behind the bar missing crucial plays. These twelve recipes deliver on all counts.

Batch Cocktails: Mix Once, Serve All Game

The secret to enjoying your own party is preparation. These recipes scale up easily, letting you mix a pitcher or punch bowl before guests arrive.

1. The Crowd-Pleaser Margarita

Nothing satisfies a diverse crowd like a well-made Margarita. This version scales perfectly and holds up over ice for hours.

For 8-10 servings, combine 16 ounces blanco tequila, 8 ounces fresh lime juice, 6 ounces triple sec, and 4 ounces simple syrup in a large pitcher. Stir well, taste, and adjust sweetness if needed. Refrigerate until serving.

Pour over ice in salt-rimmed glasses. The batch stays balanced as ice melts because the dilution is accounted for in the recipe.

Pro tip: Set out a rimming station with salt, Tajín, and lime wedges so guests can customize their glasses.

2. Big Batch Whiskey Sour

This crowd-friendly sour delivers the classic flavors without the fuss of shaking individual drinks.

For 10 servings, whisk together 20 ounces bourbon, 10 ounces fresh lemon juice, 7 ounces simple syrup, and 3 ounces pasteurized egg white (optional, for body). Refrigerate for up to 4 hours.

Shake portions vigorously with ice before serving, or pour directly over ice for a simpler approach. Garnish with a cherry and orange slice.

Pro tip: Skip the egg white for easier batching—the drink is still delicious without the foam.

3. Touchdown Punch

This rum-based punch serves a crowd with minimal effort. The tropical flavors work surprisingly well with game day food.

Combine 2 cups white rum, 2 cups dark rum, 4 cups pineapple juice, 2 cups orange juice, 1 cup lime juice, and 1 cup simple syrup in a punch bowl. Add a large ice block (freezing water in a bundt pan works perfectly) just before serving.

Float orange wheels and maraschino cherries on top. Guests serve themselves—you watch the game.

Pro tip: The ice block melts slower than cubes, keeping the punch cold without rapid dilution.

4. Halftime Sangria

Sangria improves as it sits, making it ideal for advance preparation. Make it the night before for the best flavor.

In a large pitcher, combine 2 bottles of red wine (something fruity and inexpensive), 1 cup brandy, 1/2 cup orange liqueur, 1/4 cup simple syrup, and sliced oranges, lemons, and apples. Refrigerate overnight.

Before serving, add 2 cups of club soda or ginger ale for sparkle. Serve over ice with fruit in each glass.

Pro tip: Use frozen grapes instead of ice cubes—they chill without diluting.

Beer Cocktails: Elevate the Everyday

Many guests default to beer at viewing parties. These cocktails meet them where they are while offering something more interesting.

5. The Michelada

This savory Mexican beer cocktail is essentially a drinkable snack—perfect alongside nachos and wings.

Rim a pint glass with Tajín or salt. Add the juice of one lime, 2 dashes of hot sauce, 2 dashes of Worcestershire sauce, and a pinch of black pepper. Fill with ice, then top with a light Mexican lager.

Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel. The savory-spicy-citrus combination is addictive.

Pro tip: Set up a Michelada bar with hot sauces, seasonings, and limes. Let guests customize their heat level.

6. The Shandy

Half beer, half lemonade—the Shandy is refreshing and sessionable, perfect for a long afternoon of watching.

Fill a pint glass halfway with a wheat beer or light lager. Top with equal parts fresh lemonade (or good quality bottled). Stir gently.

For variety, try grapefruit juice (a Radler) or ginger beer. Each version creates a different but equally refreshing drink.

Pro tip: Pre-mix a pitcher of lemonade and let guests build their own Shandies with their beer of choice.

7. The Brass Monkey

Nostalgic and surprisingly tasty, this combines beer with orange juice for a brunch-meets-game-day hybrid.

Pour a light lager into a pint glass, leaving room at the top. Add 2-3 ounces of fresh orange juice. That's it.

The citrus brightens the beer without overwhelming it. It's more sophisticated than it sounds—and incredibly easy.

Pro tip: Use a wheat beer for extra smoothness, or a pale ale for more hop character.

Spirit-Forward Sippers: For the Cocktail Enthusiasts

Some guests want something more substantial than beer or punch. These classics satisfy serious drinkers.

8. The Boulevardier

Think of this as a Manhattan's bolder cousin—bourbon meeting Campari and sweet vermouth in perfect balance.

Stir 1.5 ounces bourbon, 1 ounce Campari, and 1 ounce sweet vermouth with ice for 30 seconds. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Express an orange peel over the top.

The bittersweet complexity pairs remarkably well with rich game day foods like sliders and loaded nachos.

Pro tip: Batch the ingredients in a bottle and keep it in the freezer. Pour straight into glasses when needed—no stirring required.

9. The Old Fashioned

The eternal classic works at any occasion. Its simplicity means you can make them quickly during timeouts.

In a rocks glass, muddle a sugar cube with 2 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of water. Add 2 ounces bourbon and a large ice cube. Stir briefly, then express an orange peel over the drink.

For faster service, use 1/4 ounce simple syrup instead of muddling sugar.

Pro tip: Pre-batch Old Fashioneds by combining bourbon, simple syrup (2:1 ratio to standard recipe), and bitters in a bottle. Store at room temperature indefinitely.

10. The Irish Mule

A twist on the Moscow Mule using Irish whiskey—slightly sweeter and more approachable for whiskey newcomers.

Fill a copper mug (or highball glass) with ice. Add 2 ounces Irish whiskey, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, and top with ginger beer. Stir gently and garnish with a lime wheel.

The whiskey's smoothness pairs beautifully with spicy ginger. It's refreshing enough for casual sipping but substantial enough to feel like a real drink.

Pro tip: Multiply the whiskey and lime portions in a pitcher. Pour into individual glasses and top each with fresh ginger beer.

Low-ABV Options: Keep the Party Going

Long games demand pacing. These lighter options let guests participate without overdoing it.

11. The Aperol Spritz

Bubbly, bitter, and beautiful—the Spritz has conquered happy hours everywhere. It works just as well for afternoon kickoffs.

In a wine glass filled with ice, combine 3 ounces prosecco, 2 ounces Aperol, and 1 ounce club soda. Stir gently and garnish with an orange slice.

At around 8% ABV, it's substantially lighter than spirit-forward cocktails while still feeling festive and sophisticated.

Pro tip: Keep prosecco and Aperol chilled, and guests can easily build their own.

12. The Paloma

Mexico's favorite tequila drink is lighter and more refreshing than the Margarita—perfect for extended viewing sessions.

In a highball glass with ice, combine 2 ounces blanco tequila, 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Top with 4-5 ounces grapefruit soda (Jarritos, Squirt, or San Pellegrino Pompelmo).

The grapefruit's slight bitterness balances the tequila beautifully, and the effervescence keeps things light.

Pro tip: For a "skinny" version, use fresh grapefruit juice and plain soda water with a touch of simple syrup.

Setting Up Your Game Day Bar

Smart setup means less work during the action. Here's how to organize:

The self-serve station: Put your batch cocktails and punch here with glasses, ice, and garnishes. Label everything clearly. Guests help themselves while you focus on hosting.

The beer zone: Coolers or tubs filled with ice keep beers cold and accessible. Group by type—light lagers together, IPAs together—so guests find what they want quickly.

The quick-pour area: If you're making spirit-forward drinks to order, keep your bourbon, bitters, and glassware together. Mise en place matters as much in bartending as in cooking.

The essentials: Stock plenty of ice (more than you think—at least 1.5 pounds per person), have a bottle opener visible, and keep a trash can nearby.

Quantities for Your Crowd

For a standard 4-hour viewing party, estimate 3-4 drinks per person. Here's how to stock for 20 guests:

Batch cocktails: Make 2-3 different options, totaling about 60-80 servings Beer: 2-3 bottles or cans per beer drinker Wine: 1 bottle per 3-4 wine drinkers Non-alcoholic: At least 25% of your drink supply should be non-alcoholic options

Always have more ice than you think necessary. Running out of ice ruins a party faster than running out of alcohol.

The Winning Formula

The best game day bar offers variety without complexity. One batch cocktail, one beer option, one build-your-own station, and plenty of water and soft drinks covers virtually any crowd.

Prepare what you can in advance. Set up self-service options. Then join your guests and enjoy the game—that's the real victory.

May the best team win, and may your drinks be worthy of the celebration.

How Much Alcohol Do You Need for a Football Party?

Nothing kills a party like running out of drinks in the third quarter. Here's how to calculate:

The Game Day Formula

Per guest for a 4-hour game:

• 3-4 drinks average (more for close games!)
• 1.5 oz spirits per cocktail
• 12 oz per beer

Shopping Calculator

Pro tip: Buy 20% more than you calculate. Leftovers keep; running out doesn't.

Team Color Cocktails

Show your team spirit with drinks that match your colors!

Red Team Drinks

• Bloody Mary - Classic tomato red
• Cranberry Vodka - Deep crimson
• Strawberry Daiquiri - Bright red frozen
• Red Sangria - Wine-based punch

Blue Team Drinks

• Blue Lagoon - Electric blue with vodka & blue curaçao
• Blue Hawaiian - Tropical blue rum punch
• Blue Margarita - Swap triple sec for blue curaçao
• Blueberry Mojito - Muddled blueberries

Green Team Drinks

• Midori Sour - Melon green
• Shamrock Shake Shot - Mint green
• Green Apple Martini - Sour apple
• Mojito - Fresh mint green

Orange Team Drinks

• Aperol Spritz - Bright orange Italian
• Tequila Sunrise - Gradient orange-red
• Screwdriver - Classic OJ & vodka
• Hurricane - Deep orange rum punch

Yellow/Gold Team Drinks

• Whiskey Sour - Golden classic
• Bee's Knees - Honey-colored gin
• Lynchburg Lemonade - Light gold refresher
• Gold Rush - Bourbon with honey

Black & Silver Team Drinks

• Black Russian - Coffee liqueur dark
• Espresso Martini - Coffee black
• White Russian - Creamy silver-white
• Dirty Martini - Olive brine gray

Best Batch Cocktails for Football Parties

Batch cocktails let you enjoy the game instead of playing bartender all night.

The Ultimate Game Day Punch

Serves 20

Ingredients:

• 750ml bourbon
• 1 cup honey
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice
• 4 cups apple cider
• 2 cups ginger beer
• Apple slices for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine bourbon, honey, and lemon juice in a large pitcher
2. Stir until honey dissolves
3. Add apple cider and refrigerate until game time
4. Add ginger beer just before serving
5. Serve over ice with apple slices

Touchdown Tea

Serves 15

Ingredients:

• 750ml vodka
• 375ml triple sec
• 375ml rum
• 375ml gin
• 2 cups sweet & sour mix
• 1 liter cola
• Lemon wheels

Instructions:

1. Combine all spirits and sweet & sour in a dispenser
2. Add cola just before serving
3. Serve over ice with lemon wheels
4. Warning: Stronger than it tastes!

Quarter-by-Quarter Drink Strategy

Pre-Game (1 hour before kickoff)

• Serve: Light beers, simple highballs
• Why: Pace yourselves—it's a marathon, not a sprint
• Setup: Get batch cocktails ready, ice buckets filled

1st Quarter

• Serve: Signature batch cocktail debut
• Why: Everyone's arrived, excitement is high
• Activity: Toast to kickoff!

2nd Quarter

• Serve: Keep batch flowing, offer beer alternative
• Why: Settling into the game
• Halftime: Refill ice, prep second batch if needed

3rd Quarter

• Serve: Introduce shots for big plays
• Why: Energy needs a boost mid-game
• Tip: Team-colored shots for touchdowns

4th Quarter

• Serve: Switch to beer/lighter options
• Why: Winding down, people driving soon
• Close game? Keep the shots ready!

Overtime

• Serve: Coffee cocktails
• Why: Irish Coffee or Espresso Martini keeps everyone alert
• Celebrate: Victory shots when it's over!

Football Party Drink Stations

The Beer Bar

Setup: Cooler or tub with ice

• 2-3 domestic light beers (Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite)
• 2-3 craft options (local IPA, wheat beer)
• 1 non-alcoholic option (Athletic Brewing, Heineken 0.0)

Display: Team bucket, football-themed napkins

The Whiskey Corner

Setup: Small table with bottles and glasses

• Bourbon for sipping
• Whiskey sour pre-batched
• Shot glasses for touchdown celebrations

Display: Whiskey stones, team coasters

The Frozen Drink Machine

Setup: Blender or frozen drink maker

• Frozen margaritas (team color with food coloring)
• Piña coladas
• Daiquiris

Display: Festive cups, paper umbrellas in team colors

Touchdown Shot Menu

Keep these ready for scoring celebrations!

Game Day Drinking Games (21+ Only!)

Commercial Break Challenge

• Everyone picks a commercial category (car, beer, insurance, tech)
• When your category airs, everyone else drinks
• Most appearances = winner (everyone toasts them)

Play Call Predictions

• Before each play, guess run or pass
• Wrong guess = sip
• Correct guess = assign a sip

Penalty Shots

• False start = offense fans drink
• Pass interference = defense fans drink
• Delay of game = everyone drinks (ref's fault)

The Point Spread

• If your team beats the spread, opposing fans take a shot
• If they cover, you take the shot
• Push = everyone drinks

Non-Alcoholic Game Day Options

Not everyone drinks—make sure they feel included!

Virgin Bloody Mary Bar

Set up a full Bloody Mary bar with tomato juice, all the fixings, but no vodka. Just as fun to customize!

Sparkling Cider Punch

Apple cider + ginger ale + cinnamon sticks. Festive and delicious.

Game Day Lemonade

Fresh lemonade with team-colored fruit (strawberries for red, blueberries for blue).

NA Beer Selection

Stock Athletic Brewing, Heineken 0.0, or Lagunitas IPNA for beer lovers who aren't drinking.

Game Day Food & Drink Pairings

FAQ: Game Day Drinks

How early should I start making batch cocktails?

Make them the morning of or night before. Keep refrigerated without ice or carbonation—add those just before guests arrive.

Can I make Jello shots for game day?

Absolutely! Make them in team colors. See our Complete Jello Shot Guide for ratios and tips.

What's the best drink for someone who doesn't like beer?

Ranch Water (tequila, lime, Topo Chico) or a Whiskey Ginger—light, refreshing, and crowd-pleasing.

How do I keep drinks cold during the party?

• Use coolers or tubs with ice for beer
• Pre-chill glasses in the freezer
• Make extra ice—you'll always need more than you think
• Keep batch cocktails in the fridge until serving

What if the game goes to overtime?

Switch to coffee cocktails (Irish Coffee, Espresso Martini) to keep everyone awake and alert for the finish!

What's your signature game day drink? Share in the comments below!