13 Awesome (and Massive!) College Tailgate Cocktails
It's game day. Get your drink on.
You go all out on game day, so why settle for lukewarm beer? These spiked drinks can be made ahead in mason jars: Just twist on the lids and pack with ice in a cooler, and you've got impressive cocktails that won't interfere with your pregame rituals (body paint, grilling and bean-bag toss, natch). Pace yourselves—these drinks are enormous. Plus, try our best tailgate food ideas!
Notre Dame: The Luck of the Irish
You wouldn't expect Jameson — or any whiskey, for that matter — to go so smoothly with lemonade, but together, the two pack one awesome punch, much like the Fightin' Irish.
Get the recipe from Delish.
BUY A PITCHER: Glass Pitcher, $23; amazon.com.
Ohio State: The Boozy Buckeye
Inspired by OSU's mascot, Brutus the Buckeye, and the Reese's Cup-like dessert the state is known for, this peanut-butter-and-bourbon-spiked cocktail will warm you up even on the coldest home games.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Alabama: The Yellowhammer Slammer
While Gallette's, the famous college bar near the University of Alabama, hasn't divulged the recipe for its renowned Yellowhammer cocktail (the restaurant sells 4,000-5,000 per home game, co-owner Jeff Sirkin says), we paid homage with our own concoction.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Lousiana State University: LSU Lemonade
Muddled blueberries give this spiked lemonade the vibrant purple color so synonymous with LSU. It makes for a refreshing drink when you're pre-gaming in the Louisiana heat.
Get the recipe from Delish.
University of Texas: Hook 'Em Horns Margaritas
A blended drink at a tailgate?! Bring a blender and plug it in to your car's A/C adaptor. This jalapeño-infused drink brings the heat, proving you don't want to mess with Texas.
Get the recipe from Delish.
GET A BETTER BLENDER: Waring Professional Bar Blender, $73; amazon.com.
UCLA: Blue & Gold Punch
Show off your Bruins pride with this layered drink in UCLA's colors. The key is pouring in the tequila and pineapple juice first, then holding a spoon over each cup and pouring a blue sports drink onto the spoon, letting it gently spill over. That way the two colors won't immediately swirl together, creating a murky, green hue.
Get the recipe from Delish.
University of Missouri: "Old Missouri" Spiked Root Beer
What better way to cheers to your alma mater than by raising a glass of spiked root beer? The whipped cream is totally optional, though encouraged.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Oregon: The Mighty Duck
We thought about tossing a glow stick into each glass, in honor of the Ducks' rumored glow-in-the-dark uniforms (which, sadly, aren't a reality ... this year). Instead, we opted for a pear spritzer, in honor of the school's colors—and state fruit.
Get the recipe from Delish.
University of Florida: Gatorade Margaritas
Swamp Juice was a close contender, but ultimately, we decided that the school that invented Gatorade needed a drink that featured it prominently. Finally, a 'rita loaded with electrolytes.
Get the recipe from Delish.
University of Georgia: Bulldogs' Spiked Sweet Tea
Georgia fans know Sweet Tea, and on a blazing game day, there's no better way to stay cool. You could go for plain old lemon slices, but oranges add a subtle burst of tropical flavor to the mix that's anything but boring — just like a Bulldogs game.
Get the recipe from Delish.
CLASSIC MASON JARS: Ball Brand Pint Jars, $19; amazon.com.
Auburn: War Eagle Rum Punch
Get ready for a rowdy "War Eagle" rallying cry before kickoff with this rum-infused drink. You can mix a big batch of the OJ and rum beforehand, then top everyone's glasses with Sprite before serving for a quick and easy cocktail.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Wisconsin: The Angry Badger
Play up the cinnamon flavors in classic apple cider with a shot (or two) of Fireball Whiskey, and you've got the Angry Badger. It goes perfectly with a Mac & Cheese pie from Ian's Pizza.
Get the recipe from Delish.
Michigan: Big Blue Spritzer
A splash of Blue Curacao gives this fizzy spritzer its subtle sheen, but you can amp up the color by opting for a mix of half-Sprite, half-blue sports drink (like Gatorade or Powerade). Enjoy a glass before catching the Michigan Marching Band's pregame Step Show in front of Revelli Hall.
Get the recipe from Delish.
