Category Archives: Football & Tailgating

Football & tailgating recipes include punches to pass around, individual drinks and shots with team themes in mind and themes with football spirit.

Burgundy & Gold Cocktails Rally Washington Team Spirit

Posted on November 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

Washington, D.C., is home to seven professional sports teams which include men and women athletes who work and play hard. Though basketball, soccer, hockey and baseball rank high in the world of professional sports, there is nothing like the excitement of Monday Night Football to keep the chill of fall at bay when winter’s frost waits eagerly in the shadows. Tonight enjoy a few colorful burgundy and gold cocktails for spirited football fun while watching the Washington Redskins take on the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gold Rushing Shot – adaption by Cheri Loughlin

1 part Goldschlager

1 part Tequila

Chill spirits. Combine in shot glass.

Burgundy & Gold Margarita – created by Cheri Loughlin

2 ounces Reposado Tequila

3/4 ounce Premium Orange Liqueur

1/2 ounce Agave Syrup

1 ounce Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Blackberry Brandy

Lime Wedge Garnish

Salt

Rim chilled cocktail glass with salt if desired. Set aside. Place tequila, Cointreau, agave syrup and lime juice in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill thoroughly. Strain into prepared cocktail glass over fresh ice. Float blackberry brandy over top.

Burgundy Cocktail

2 parts Dry Red Wine

1 part Cognac

1/2 to 3/4 part Crème de Cassis

Place liquids in mixing glass with ice. Stir until completely chilled. Strain into large wine glass.

Cheri Loughlin is a leading cocktail and photography resource for beverage companies, event planners, businesses and individuals. High resolution cocktail and beverage stock photography images are available in downloadable digital format in the newly redesigned Stock Photography Gallery at www.cheriloughlin.com.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon – str8upcocktails @ gmail.com – ©2012 Cheri Loughlin-The Intoxicologist, All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin.

→ 1 Comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters, Wine Cocktails

Tagged Agave Syrup, Blackberry Brandy, Cognac, Creme de Cassis, Football Drinks, Fresh Lime, Goldschlager, Premium Orange Liqueur, Shot-tails, Tailgating, Tequila, Wine

New Orleans Boasts Saintly Classic Cocktails

Posted on November 14, 2010 | 4 Comments

The fall football experience just heated up – behind the bar. Football fan or cocktail fanatic, pairing cocktails and fun food with events is as classic as the great American sport that plays out on the field. New Orleans boasts prohibition era classic cocktails that never seem to go out of style. Tailgate your way through the fall football season with a few traditional New Orleans classics. Find more Football and Tailgating recipes in the right hand sidebar.

New Orleans Cocktail

2 parts Bourbon

1/2 part Absinthe

1/2 part Simple Syrup

1/2 part Lemon Juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a cocktail glass.

New Orleans Milk Punch

2 parts Bourbon

1/2 to 1 part Dark Crème de Cacao

3 parts Milk

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly to blend and chill. Strain into a highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with grated nutmeg and cinnamon.

New Orleans Pink Gin

2 parts Gin

3 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

Sazerac

Famous New Orleans Drinks & How to Mix ‘Em by Stanley Clisby Arthur, 1937

2 parts Brandy or Rye whiskey

1 dash Peychaud’s Bitters

1 dash of Angostura Bitters

1 teaspoon Sugar

1 teaspoon Absinthe

Rinse an old fashioned glass with absinthe. Discard excess. Stir remaining ingredients together gently in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into the absinthe-coated glass.

Vieux Carre – Walter Bergeron, Hotel Monteleone

1 ounce Hennessy Cognac

1 ounce (ri)1 Rye Whiskey

1 ounce Carpano Antica Formula

1/4 ounce Benedictine

Dash Peychaud’s Bitters

Dash Angostura Bitters

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with lemon twist.

Obituary Cocktail

2 parts Plymouth Gin

1/4 part Dry Vermouth

1/4 part Pernod Absinthe

Combine ingredients in an iced tumbler. Stir well. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

Creole Julep – created by Maksym Pazuniak, Cure/Rambla

2-1/4 oz Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum

1/2 oz Clement Creole Shrubb

1/4 oz Captain Morgan 100

2 dashes Fee Bros. Peach bitters

2 dashes angostura bitters

8-10 mint leaves

1 Demerara Sugar Cube

Muddle sugar, Creole Shrubb and bitters until sugar is dissolved in a 10 oz. tall glass. Add mint and press to express oils. Add cracked ice. Add Cruzan and Captain Morgan 100 and stir until frost appears on outside of glass. Garnish with mint sprig.

Hurricane

1 part Dark Rum

1 part Light Rum

1/2 part Galliano

3/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 part Passion Fruit Syrup

1-1/2 part Orange Juice

1-1/2 part Pineapple Juice

Dash of Angostura Bitters

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake. Strain into a hurricane glass over fresh ice. Garnish with slices of fresh tropical fruit and maraschino cherries if desired.

French 75

1-1/2 part Gin

3/4 part Lemon Juice

1/2 part Simple Syrup

Sparkling wine

Combine Gin, juice and simple syrup in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into a champagne flute. Top with champagne. Garnish with fresh lemon twist.

Try another variation of the French 75 using Cognac.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ 4 Comments

Posted in Football & Tailgating

Tagged Absinthe, Benedictine, Bourbon, Brandy, Captain Morgan Rum, Carpano Antica Formula, Cruzan Rum, Football Drinks, Galliano, Hennessy Cognac, Pernod Absinthe, Plymouth Gin, Rye, Tailgating

Huskers Wrangle with the Longhorns

Posted on October 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

In a state where rows of corn line the highway and fill the landscape just beyond fence lines in many neighborhoods, the big football game of the season takes place this weekend. The Texas Longhorns travel to Big Red nation to meet the Nebraska Huskers as they celebrate Red Out Around The World.

UT has not always been known for their ‘burnt orange’ color. The first mentions of orange and white colors were ribbons worn by baseball players and the student body in the 1880’s to show school spirit. From the 1880’s to 1897, the colors of UT ranged from white and gold, orange and white, orange and maroon, gold and maroon and mentions of royal blue in the mix. Orange and white became the official colors of UT by popular vote. UT football coach Clyde Littlefield brought “burnt orange” to the playing field in 1928 by ordering dark fade resistant orange uniforms for the team. The burnt orange color was revised yet again in the early 1960’s.

Burnt Orange Tang – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Clementine Vodka

1/2 ounce Triple Sec

1/2 ounce Amaretto

2 ounces Orange Juice

3/4 ounce Lime Juice

1/4 ounce Meyers’s Rum

Orange Slice Garnish

Add all liquids except Meyers’s Rum to highball glass over fresh ice. Stir. Garnish. Add float of Meyers’s Rum to top.

Saturday, October 16, UNL celebrates Red Out Around The World to unite Husker fans not only in the stadium, but those scattered around the world. This day is set aside to don your red, settle in with friends and join in the football watch party with all those watching Nebraska take on Texas. There are several ways to join in the sea of red. Let’s get the party started.

Big Red – created by Cheri Loughlin

1-1/2 ounce Gin

3/4 ounce Cherry Brandy

Ginger Ale

1/4 ounce Grenadine – optional

Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Build in a highball glass over fresh ice. Garnish with maraschino cherries.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating

Tagged Nebraska Cornhuskers, Tailgating, Texas Longhorns

Battle of the Great Lakes Football & Tailgating Recipes

Posted on October 8, 2010 | Leave a comment

One of the major college football matchups this week is an instate rivalry game between the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines. The Spartans will literally go head to head in battle with the well recognized winged helmets worn by the Wolverines. These helmets are more than visual eye candy. In 1938, Fritz Crisler redesigned the Wolverine helmet for better visibility on the field for his passers and receivers. Though this seemingly small change improved season stats overall, it is most interesting to note that U-M debuted the winged helmets at the October 1, 1938, game against Michigan State and won with a score of 14-0.

Spartan Warrior – adapted by Cheri Loughlin from the Jagerita

1/2 ounce Jagermeister

1/2 ounce Tequila

1/4 ounce Orange Curacao*

1/4 ounce Blue Curacao*

Splash Lime Juice

Combine liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into shot glass. *Notation: The importance of combining the colors of Orange and Blue Curacao is to make this Spartan shot green.

Wingman – adapted by Cheri Loughlin from the Toddy Martini

1-1/2 ounce Blended Scotch

1 ounce Barenjager Honey Liqueur

3/4 ounce Lemon Juice

2 ounces Blackberry Sage Tea or Tea Flavor of Choice

Lemon Wheel Garnish

Place ice in highball glass. Add scotch, Barenjager and lemon juice. Stir. Top with flavored tea. Garnish with lemon wheel. Notation: The Toddy Martini can be found in Difford’s Encyclopedia of Cocktails.

Find The Intoxicologist on Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails@gmail.com

www.discus.org – Distilled Spirits Council of the United States

All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating

Tagged Michigan State Spartans, Michigan Wolverines, Shot-tails, Tailgating

Red River Rivalry Football & Tailgating Shots

Posted on October 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

Once a year the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma gather for the ‘Red River Rivalry’ in Dallas. The teams look forward to the game with anticipation as one of the greatest rivalries of the season apart from their in state games against Texas A&M for the Longhorns and Oklahoma State for the Sooners. Until 2005 the OU-Texas game was known as the Red River Shootout. The name was changed to Rivalry so there would be no appearance of tolerating gun violence.

With that in mind, The Intoxicologist site realizes many fans enjoy a good game whether it is college or professional football. Alums, those that live within college towns and those who love the spirit of the game sometimes enjoy a fun drink once in a while. The recipes provided are meant for the enjoyment of those of legal drinking age.

Burnt Orange Texan – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 part Svedka Clementine Vodka

1/2 part Jagermeister

1/2 part Triple Sec

1/2 part Orange Juice

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into shot glass.

Crimson & Cream Shot – created by Cheri Loughlin

1/2 ounce Crème de Cassis

1/2 ounce Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur

Layer in a shot glass in the order given. Do not stir.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating, Shot-tails, Shots & Shooters

Tagged Clementine Vodka, Creme de Cassis, Football Drinks, Godiva, Jagermeister, Orange Juice, Shot-tails, Triple Sec, White Chocolate Liqueur

Monday Night Football Kickoff Cocktails

Posted on September 27, 2010 | Leave a comment

If you listen closely in the distance the constant buzz and commotion of a fan base simmering with enthusiasm for the love of football can be heard before the first leaf of fall drops from the trees. Love of football begins with small towns and little leagues to Friday night high school cross town rivalries and continues through college and beyond. Living for the weekend isn’t just a saying when football season begins. It makes Monday a little more bearable when the work week rolls around too. Thank goodness for that little thing called Monday night football.

Go Team! – created by Joel Meister, Chicago

2 Lime Wedges

5 – 8 Mint Leaves

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 ounce Stolichnaya Vanil Vodka

1 ounce Stolichnay Ohranj Vodka

1/2 ounce Midori Melon Liqueur

Club Soda

Muddle lime wedges and mint leaves with simple syrup in bottom of mixing glass. Add ice, vodkas and liqueur. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice. Top with club soda.

Chicago Sour – adapted by Cheri Loughlin

2 parts Effen Cherry Vodka

1 part Simple Syrup

3/4 part Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Egg White – optional

3 drops Angostura Bitters

Skewered Maraschino Cherries Garnish

Place liquids (and optional egg white if including) in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake thoroughly until frothy. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Add bitters to top of drink. Garnish with skewer of maraschino cherries. Pasteurized Egg Beaters can be used in place of fresh egg whites if desired.

Green Sneaker

2 parts Vodka

1/2 part Melon Liqueur

1/2 part Triple Sec

1/2 part Orange Juice

Place liquids in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass or strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with orange wedge.

Twitter, Facebook, StumbleUpon or Email: str8upcocktails @ gmail.com. Copyright 2010 Cheri Loughlin – The Intoxicologist – All Rights Reserved. All opinions, reviews and spirits’ coverage contained within are the personal opinion and decision of Cheri Loughlin, The Intoxicologist.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating

Tagged Cherry Vodka, Chicago Sour, Club Soda, Effen Cherry Vodka, Egg White, Football Drinks, Fresh Lemon, Fresh Lime, Go Team, Green Sneaker, Melon Liqueur, Midlori, Mint Leaves, Orange Juice, Orange Vodka, Simple Syrup, Stoli Vodka, Tailgate Essentials, Tailgating, Triple Sec, Vanilla Vodka, Vodka

Jack Daniel’s Tailgate Pigskin Punch Recipe

Posted on September 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

Fall weather brings a certain chill to the bone, but the high spirited action of football brings warmth to the air as college teams kick-off a weekend of gridiron play that lasts through to a Monday night football finish of professional play. Tailgate parties and gathering around the big screen with friends call for good food and drinks with little preparation time and lots of great taste. Jack Daniel’s Pigskin Punch can be made ahead for on the go serve for tailgate parties or service from the punch bowl for indoor parties around the big screen. Either way this recipe is fit for a crowd with a non-alcoholic variation included in the directions.

Pigskin Punch

Serves 15-18

1/2 cup Sugar

4 ounces Lemon Juice

6 ounces Orange Juice

4 ounces Grenadine

1 Liter Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey

1 Liter Club Soda

Mint Leaves

Ice Mold

Place sugar with lemon and orange juices in pitcher or punch bowl. Stir. Add grenadine and Jack Daniel’s. Stir again. Add club soda and ice mold just before serving. Garnish individual cups with mint leaves. For a non-alcoholic version leave out the Jack Daniel’s and use tea instead.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Club Soda, Football Drinks, Fresh Lemon, Grenadine, Jack Daniel's Whiskey, Mint Leaves, Orange Juice, Tailgating, Whiskey

For the Love of Football

Posted on November 7, 2009 | Leave a comment

Tailgating during football season is almost as American as apple pie and hot dogs. Tailgate parties set up in parking lots and grassy areas of game day venues have become as popular if not more so as gathering in front of the big screen TV for the big game. The spirit of tailgating in America has become tradition and has spread to more sporting events than just football.

Beyond tailgating is the good old fashioned way of enjoying the great American sport of football; at home in the presence of friends cheering on your team and calling the referee out for plays they called wrong. We never get our two cents in where the play calls lead, but we can call the shots where the drink recipes are concerned. That is where The Intoxicologist gives you the opportunity to decide the best drink recipe for your game of choice whether tailgating or watching the game on the big screen.

When the game just isn’t going your way it’s Aggravation all the way.

Aggravation

1-1/4 part Scotch

3/4 part Coffee Liqueur

1 part Half & Half

Combine liquids in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.

Someone in the game always displays a fair amount of attitude which in turn gets picked up by someone in the crowd. Pour it, mix it and pass them a little Attitude adjustment.

Attidude

1 part Vodka

1 part Amaretto

1 part Coconut Rum

1/2 part Cranberry Juice

1/2 part Pineapple Juice

Build in a highball glass over fresh ice.

Maybe it’s carrying a Sharpie pen in a sock or being the player constantly on the edge of retirement…everyone has at least one bad habit. Most likely someone in the room watching the game with you has one too. The Bad Habit drink is just the ticket.

Bad Habit

1 part Vodka

1 part Peach Schnapps

Build in a rocks glass over fresh ice.

It doesn’t matter how much you yell and shout at the screen or profess the ‘would of, could of done its’ to your tailgating buds. The real brave souls are the ones on the field lined up toe to toe on the front line. So a toast to them; a Brave Bull.

Brave Bull

1-1/4 part Tequila

3/4 part Coffee Liqueur

Lemon Twist Garnish

Build in a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist. Stir.

The sidelines, the locker room the dirty uniforms…it all boils down to a little Buffalo Sweat in the afternoon.

Buffalo Sweat

1 part Bourbon

1 dash Tabasco Sauce

Place bourbon in a shot glass. Add dash of Tabasco. Shoot.

A blowout win is sometimes cool, but when the matchup is equal and the game is close things are much more interesting. It also causes a little tension in the air. Beware of Contents Under Pressure.

Contents Under Pressure – created by Patsy Edward

1-1/2 parts Vodka

1/2 part Galliano

1/2 part Grand Marnier

1/2 part Spiced Rum

Lemon Twist Garnish

Combine liquid ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into highball glass over fresh ice or a margarita glass without ice. Garnish with lemon twist.

Can’t take the last nerve-racking minutes of the game when your team just doesn’t look like they will pull through? Don’t have a nervous breakdown. Have a Cranium Meltdown instead.

Cranium Meltdown

1/4 part Coconut Rum

1/4 part 151 Rum

1/4 part Raspberry Liqueur

1/4 part Pineapple Juice

Combine ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to chill. Strain into a pony glass.

There is always that one play, that singular moment, the seconds that goes down in history. This is the play that goes without a hitch that the booth plays over and over again. Let’s just hope your team is the one who makes the play.

Perfection

1-1/2 part Whiskey

1/4 part Club Soda

1/4 part Ginger Ale

Lemon Twist

Build in an old fashioned glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Eventually winner takes all.

Victor

1-1/2 part Gin

1/2 part Sweet Vermouth

1/2 part Brandy

Place ingredients in mixing glass with ice. Stir to chill. Strain into martini glass.

No sense in leaving with a long face if your team didn’t quite make the cut this time around. Take it on the chin. There is always next week.

Weep No More

1-1/2 part Dubonnet

1-1/2 part Cognac

Splash Lime Juice

Splash Cherry Liqueur

Place ingredients in cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to blend and chill. Strain into chilled cocktail glass.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Football & Tailgating, Whiskey Cocktails

Tagged Amaretto, Bourbon, Brandy, Cherry Liqueur, Club Soda, Coconut Rum, Coffee Liqueur, Cognac, Cranberry Juice, Dubonnet, Football Drinks, Fresh Lime, Galliano, Gin, Ginger Ale, Grand Marnier, Half & Half, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple Juice, Raspberry Liqueur, Rum, Scotch, Spiced Rum, Sweet Vermouth, Tabasco, Tequila, Vodka, Whiskey

Bacardi Rum is Your Football Game Day Recipe for Success

Posted on October 3, 2009 | Leave a comment

Game day is all about ease of preparation no matter whose turn it is to make a mad dash for the kitchen during commercial breaks or those nail biting moments when referees are reviewing plays. Bacardi Rum drink recipes take the worry out of the time crunch and place the flavors you love into the cocktail glass. Classic cocktails have certainly seen their share of comeback drinks with Manhattans and the Old Fashioned, but on game day there is just something that speaks to ‘classic’ with the ‘whoosh’ of a fresh bottle of Coke twisting open just before it splashes into a nicely iced glass of Bacardi Rum.

Bacardi & Coke

1 ounce Bacardi Superior Rum

3 ounces Coca-Cola

Build in a tall glass over fresh ice. Lime garnish optional.

The interesting thing about the Bacardi & Coke drink recipe is the misconception that merely adding the lime wedge makes this particular version the original Cuba Libre. It just isn’t so according to sources at Bacardi. The Original Bacardi Cuba Libre calls for the inclusion of Bacardi Gold rather than Bacardi Superior. Different rums create an entirely alternate flavor interpretation of the same drink. So, if you’ve been drinking your ‘Cuba Libre’ with anything other than Bacardi Gold this game day go for the Gold and sample it the way it was intended.

Original Bacardi Cuba Libre

1 ounce Bacardi Gold Rum

3 ounces Coca-Cola

Build in a tall glass over fresh ice. Lime wedge garnish.

Some have been inspired by the tradition of legendary cocktails. Cocktail Guru, Jonathan Pogash, used the Bacardi & Coke cocktail as structural basis for a seasonal combination that includes the darker, richer Bacardi 8 Rum, Espresso and bitters. Put a little jolt in your usual game day mixer by bringing in a bit of zing to the glass Cocktail Guru style.

The Bacardi Cuba Libre – created by Jonathan Pogash

1-1/2 ounce Bacardi 8

1/2 ounce Strong Espresso

3 dashes Jerry Thomas Decanter Bitters

Top with Coca-Cola

Lime Wedge

Build ingredients in a highball glass over fresh ice. Squeeze fresh lime garnish into the glass.

→ Leave a comment

Posted in Classic Cocktails, Football & Tailgating

Tagged Bacardi Rum, Bitters, Classic Cocktail, Cola, Espresso, Football Drinks, Rum

Pre-game Warm-up: Pigskin Shooter

Posted on March 15, 2009 | Leave a comment

Every football team, player and sports fan has a tradition or ritual they perform before the season begins or the start of every game. Perhaps it’s never washing a favorite jersey, consuming the same pregame meal or beginning with a spirited pep talk. Whatever your pre-game warm-up tradition is, a sure way to get the party started is with the Pigskin Shooter.

Pigskin Shooter