Summer has waned with welcomed cooler temperatures ebbing into our local forecasts. Along with this seasonal shift comes the hard-hitting, pigskin-punting, and fan-cursing sport, we belovingly call football. Whether you watch college, professional or don your team’s laundry for both, the season has arrived and with it the opportunity to pregame with your cohorts.

Tailgating has long been associated with parking lot grilling, pulling drinks from your cooler, and serving on the tailgate of your truck.  Since this priming of the proverbial pump can be done in both stadium lots or even at your own abode, I prefer the term “pre-gaming” when referring to imbibing before kickoff. You could be like the rest of the fan mob and throw a few sixes of suds on ice and call it quits. We are, however, more dignified and thoughtful with our consumption choices, favoring homemade cocktails over anything coming in a can.

Most of these get-togethers occur before the first game, so that means around mid to late morning. Some will clamor for their sparkling mimosas but my brunch beverage preference has always been the Bloody Mary. In keeping with the regional flair and football themed, I call my rendition “The Southern Red Zone.”

If you and your crew are up for experimenting, changing the type of alcohol you add to your Bloody Mary base can have a tremendous impact on the flavor of the final cocktail. Bourbon can work surprisingly well, whispering sweet barrel lactones into your tomato juice. This adds southern charm, sophistication and regional identity; making the Bloody Mary drink like BBQ sauce with a PhD. We have aptly named it, “The Kentucky Kickoff.”

In a different direction, adding a blend of Mezcal and Sherry together can offer an interesting experience that we call “The Hail Mezzy.” The smokiness of Mezcal works great with this tomato-based drink while the Sherry (especially a dry style like Amontillado or Fino) introduces savory, nutty, saline elements, complementing the briny notes of clamato/clam juice. Even this small amount of Sherry acts like a soft filter for the Mezcal, softening the bitter and sometimes vegetal edge of the Mezcal.

Granted, the Bloody Mary can be somewhat polarizing, so you may want to consider an alternative for those preferring sweet and fruity versus salty and savory. In this case, I lean toward a cocktail that uses Vodka, since we already have it on hand, and an off-dry rosé, as you should always have some wine at any and every gathering. This also allows those non-cocktail people the option to just have a glass of wine; but I do recommend you make better decisions on who you invite to your pre-game festivities.

In these circumstances, I choose cocktails that I can batch (and scale) beforehand and finish at the time of assembly. This not only makes it easier to transport but frees the bartender from being relegated to crafting cocktails while the rest of the crowd celebrates. With peach keeping with the southern and gridiron themes, we have created the route running cocktail, “Peach Post Fade.” The sweetness from the peach nectar, the acid from the citrus and the vinous nature from the wine all come together to offer a refreshing and light start to what promises to be a long day.

These early day-drinking get-togethers will usually have at least one person that is abstaining or at least “talking it easy,” having been tasked with the responsibility of getting at least part of the herds home safely. I think creating a temperance cocktail keeps them feeling as part of the party without shirking their responsibility. These Cocktails should have a good amount of layered flavor, and be given as much care as those with alcohol. The “Hibiscus Audible” provides interesting blend of flavors, textures with a sweet, tart, and bitter balance. Easily batch-able and will make the DD feel like he didn’t miss out on your cocktail prowess.

So, whether you’re up at dawn marinating ribs, loading coolers, or just strategically avoiding your in-laws by claiming “tailgate duty,” remember that your beverage game says as much about you as your team jersey. With your pre-game roster locked in and drinks that win before kickoff, you’re not just showing up, you’re setting the tone for the whole damn season.

“The Southern Red Zone”

Ingredients – Makes ~4 servings (easily batch-able)

• 5 cups tomato juice (or sub with Clamato for a full briny blend)
• 1/2 cup clam juice (if using regular tomato juice)
• 1 tbsp dill pickle brine
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tsp horseradish
• 1/2 tsp celery salt
• 1/4 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tsp hot sauce (Crystal, Cholula, etc.)
• Fresh cracked black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Combine everything in a mason jar or pitcher and shake/stir well.
• Chill for at least 2–3 hours or overnight.
• At the tailgate, just add preferred alcohol.

Bloody Mary Alcohol options :

• 2 oz Vodka – Classic Bloody Mary
• 2 oz Bourbon – “Kentucky Kickoff”
• 5 oz Mezcal + 0.5 oz dry Sherry – “The Hail Mezzy”

Garnish Bar Ideas for the Cooler:

• Pickled green beans
• Celery stalks
• Bacon strips
• Cherry tomatoes on skewers
• Pepperoncini
• Cheese cubes
• Mini grilled shrimp

“Peach Post Fade”

Ingredients:

• 5 oz vodka
• 1 oz chilled peach nectar
• 5 oz lemon juice
• 2 oz off-dry rosé
• Fresh thyme sprig
• Sparkling water to top

Instructions:

• Assemble vodka, nectar, lemon juice, rosé wine and chill ahead of time.
• When ready to serve, pour mixture over ice and top with sparkling water.
• Garnish with thyme (adds herbaceous depth) and peach slice.

“The Hibiscus Audible” (Temperance Cocktail)

Ingredients:

• 8 cups of brewed Hibiscus tea (8 – 10 tea bags)
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon (or 4 cinnamon sticks)
• I cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• ½ cup maple syrup
• Ginger Bitters
• Ginger beer (chilled)

Instructions:

• Brew tea and add cinnamon while steeping,
• Remove tea bags and add maple syrup and dissolve
• Allow to cool and mix orange juice in and refrigerate
• Pour in ice filled glass add three dashes bitters and top with ginger beer