Bottled Tailgate Cocktails are a way to show your black-and-blue team spirit at your pre-game party. (And if your team’s colors aren’t blue or black, I’ve got other ideas for you.)
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Raise your hand if you’ve wanted to make cocktails at tailgate. Sure, beer pong and box wine and Jell-O shots are all fun and games. But where do cocktails fit in?
Last year I saw an article about DIY Bottled Cocktails on Imbibe Magazine‘s website. I loved the idea of pre-mixing a big batch of drinks and bottling them to take to a pre-game tailgate party!
My home team the Carolina Panthers’ colors are blue and black, so I thought it was only appropriate to whip up cocktails in their colors.
This Blue Habanero Margarita is adapted from my recipe for Frozen Blue Margaritas and this Black Coffee Russian is a caffeinated take on the classic Black Russian.
Your team sports other colors?
The sky is the limit, but here are a few ideas to get you started. Before you make anything, beware of fizzy ingredients — make a base and then add the sparkling stuff at your tailgate.
Definitely don’t include egg whites or dairy products. And if your recipe calls for fresh citrus, don’t make your cocktails more than a day in advance.
- Red: Bloody Mary, Strawberry Mint Julep, Mixed Berry Margaritas
- Orange: Grapefruit Old Fashioned, African Sunrise
- Yellow: Black-Eyed Susan, Bee Sting
- Green: Lemon-Lime Mojitos, Margaritas, Pineapple Jalapeno Smash
- Purple: Princess Violette Cocktail, Blackberry Gin + Tonic
- Pink: Watermelon Orange Punch, Blueberry Lemonade
- White: Tom Collins
- Brown: Apple Mint Iced Tea Cocktail
Bottled Tailgate Cocktails are a super sassy way to show team spirit. I love that you can bring the drinks to the tailgate without having to pack tons of spirits and tools.
I recommend opting for an 8-ounce size bottle if you can find them — like these swingtop bottles.
But corking or capping regular beer bottles works too. (That’s what I did!) You’ll also need a funnel for decanting the liquid into the bottles.
Lastly, you may want a cooler or a beer caddy for toting them around, and maybe some fancy straws too?
Anyway, here’s to an awesome football season! (Pro, college or high school.) I hope the Panthers do just as well (and hopefully even better) this year.
I’m looking forward to tailgating at a few games this fall. In fact, I collaborated with a huge group of bloggers from all over the country — all of whom are big football fans! — to bring you 64 tailgating recipe ideas.
You can catch them all after the jump! Happy tailgating! // susannah
Spicy Mexican Cheese Dip by 2 Cookin Mamas
Salsa Verde by A Dish of Daily Life
Slow Cooker Sausage Corn Dip by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Sausage, Peppers + Onions Pigs in a Blanket by A Little Gathering
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers by A Mind Full Mom
Beer & Brats Bake by A Simpler Grace
Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars by An Oregon Cottage
Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings by And She Cooks
Blackberry BBQ Sticky Wings by Around My Family Table
Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread by Beer Girl Cooks
Black Bean & Corn Salsa by Body Rebooted
Roasted Garlic BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe by Bread Booze Bacon
Smoky Jalapeno Poppers by Brunch-n-Bites
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos by Bucket List Tummy
Deconstructed Smoked Chicken Chile Relleno by Cafe Terra
Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread by Cake ‘n Knife
Cuban Sandwich Quesadillas by Casa de Crews
Grilled Asparagus Spears by Celebrating Family
Sweet and Salty Blueberry Popcorn by Club Narwhal
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Coffee Love Travel
Sea Bass Skewers + Blackbeard Cocktails by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Dash of Herbs
Easy Chicken Roll Ups with Cream Cheese and Veggies by Family Food on the Table
Bottled Tailgate Cocktails by Feast + West
Smoked Brisket Texas Style by Foodal
Loaded Guacamole by foodbyjonister
Cincinnati Nachos by Foodtastic Mom
Cajun Red Beans and Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms by For the Love of Food
Grilled Shrimp Pizza by Glisten and Grace
Mini Bell Pepper Nachos by Hello Little Home
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Meatballs by Honey & Birch
BBQ Chicken Wontons by Lauren’s Kitchen
Loaded Tailgate Tots by Life’s Ambrosia
Ricotta & Fig Bites by Living Well Kitchen
Tailgate Tacos by Lizzy is Dizzy
Nashville Hot Chicken Wings by Loaves & Dishes
Cincinnati Chili Dip by Love & Flour
{Slow Cooker} BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Love Bakes Good Cakes
Tailgate Bloody Marys by Loves Food, Loves to Eat
Sweet Korean Chicken Wings by Macheesmo
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots by Me and My Pink Mixer
Beer Sangria by Mixplorology
Crab Pretzels by Mom’s Messy Miracles
Hot Bacon Dip by Nik Snacks
Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar by Off the Eaten Path
Chowder Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers by Order in the Kitchen
Old Fashioned Sweet by Peanut Blossom
Baked Mac and Cheese Cups by Polka Dotted Blue Jay
Texas Toothpicks with Buttermilk Ranch by See Aimee Cook
Pretzel Turkey Meatballs (GF, DF, SF) by Shaws Simple Swaps
Hearty Vegetable Chili by Simple and Savory
Focaccia Pizza by Simplify, Live, Love
Sweet Potato Skins Stuffed with BBQ Ranch Pulled Pork by Sustaining the Powers
Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites by The BakerMama
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad by The Creative Bite
German Potato Skins by The Crumby Cupcake
Old Bay Trail Mix by The Culinary Compass
Meat Lover’s Pizza Bites by The Life Jolie
Raspberry Chipotle Black Bean Dip by The Mexitalian
Grilled Asian Chicken Wings & Shishito Peppers by The Secret Ingredient Is
Blackened Shrimp Tacos by The Speckled Palate
Honeydew Melon Refresher by Two Places at Once
Grilled Sauerkraut Stuffed Brats by West via Midwest
Sausage Apple and Sage Hand Pies by What A Girl Eats
Blue Habanero Margarita
ingredients
- 4 ounces reposado tequila or silver tequila
- 2 ounces habanero lime simple syrup
- 2 ounces blue curacao
- lime wedge for garnish, optional
instructions
For bottled cocktails
- Using a funnel, decant all ingredients into an 8-ounce bottle.
- Cap and shake gently. Chill before serving.
- Garnish with a lime wedge in the neck of the bottle, if desired. Squeeze it into the bottle and drop in the spent shell.
For serving on the rocks
- Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice.
- Shake to combine. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
recommended products
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nutrition information
amount per serving:
Black Cocktail
ingredients
- 4 ounces vodka
- 2 ounces coffee liqueur
- 2 ounces cold coffee
instructions
- For bottled cocktails: Using a funnel, decant all ingredients into an 8-ounce bottle. Cap and shake gently. Chill before serving.
- For serving on the rocks: Add all ingredients to a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake to combine. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice.
recommended products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
nutrition information
amount per serving:
Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings says
These look like so much fun! Can’t wait to give them a try this fall.
Susannah says
Thank you, Karen! They are super fun indeed. Let me know if you do try them!
Elizabeth Shaw says
This is brilliant! OMG, I am in love! Sharing now and need to find those bottles to begin testing!!!
Susannah says
I got mine at Michaels but you could just save any beer bottles that have twist off lids! Or use swingtop bottles. Hope you enjoy, Elizabeth!
Janice says
Great idea! My team’s main color is red. Margaritas it is! JThanks for the tips!
Susannah says
Red margaritas would be so much fun for a tailgate! Hope you enjoy, Janice! 🙂
Erin says
I need to make these BLUE cocktails soon! How fun! I am so intrigued by the make ahead and bottle idea … HMMM… LOVE IT!
Susannah says
You do need to make them soon. Erin! Bottling cocktails ahead of time is so great, if you ask me. Easy to transport and enjoy elsewhere! You could use them for a picnic or a day on the beach or whatever!
Alyssa says
So fun! I love the idea of the black coffee Russian for early morning tailgates.
Susannah says
Yes! Exactly. Tailgates can be so early sometimes!
Ginnie | Hello Little Home says
This is such an awesome idea, and that margarita sounds amazing!! I’ve got to try this!
Susannah says
Oh, thank you, Ginnie! You totally have to try that margarita! It’s superbly delicious!
Nicole Hood says
These look so fun..and sound delish!
Susannah says
Thank you, Nicole! They totally are fun and delicious!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
What a GREAT idea for tailgating to show your team spirit. Definitely need to make some black and gold (and some purple and gold) ones this season!
Susannah says
You totally do! I love those colorful cocktail ideas for celebrating your football teams! <3
Terra says
You freaking ROCK! What a creative and fantastic idea! Basically you had me at Reposado, just sayin’, LOL! Cheers, Terra
Susannah says
Reposado is the greatest! And thank you so much for your kind compliments! <3
Michelle says
This is such a fun and creative idea! Absolutely brilliant!
Susannah says
Thank you, Michelle! I really appreciate your kind words! <3
Linda @ 2 Cookin' Mamas says
What a great idea! Love the change-up from the usual beer and boxed wine. I bet you’ll be a hit come tailgate time.
Susannah says
Yes! Cocktails at tailgates are totally welcome. These would indeed be a hit at my tailgate — my only worry would be not having enough for everyone!
Jami @ An Oregon Cottage says
What a great idea to bottle them up in such a cute way – and easy to drink!
Susannah says
Thank you, Jami! I think they are so cute, too!
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats says
Wow! these are so fun! Great way to transport them to a tailgate party too!
Susannah says
Agreed! Sometimes that is half the battle of tailgating! Transporting food is hard!
Kelly says
How long do these keep once bottled? Could I send them in the mail?
Susannah says
Hey Kelly! Since they use shelf-stable ingredients, I would say they would keep for a week or two, but I haven’t tested that because I enjoyed mine within 24 hours. I can’t speak to sending them in the mail, unfortunately! I know there are some laws around mailing alcohol so you may want to do some more research on that.