Whether you are rooting for the Iggles or the Pats, these cocktails will take you all the way from pregame-analysis to the trophy celebration.
From the editor: The big game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots will take place Sunday, February 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium, home of hopeful Super Bowl contenders the Minnesota Vikings. The 2018 championship marks the 52nd Super Bowl overall, the 48th of the modern era of the National Football League, the second such visit for the Eagles, and the tenth championship appearance for the Patriots. While the Eagles have never won an NFL championship, the Pats have earned five Vince Lombardi trophies. Should New England emerge victorious in their contest versus Philly, they'll tie the Pittsburgh Steelers in overall NFL championships won.
Regardless of who you're cheering for or your feelings regarding either team, their super stars or coaches, the Super Bowl is one of the biggest bar and restaurant days of the year. Below you'll find themed cocktails for your special cocktail menu. Just a few words of caution: Remember that the NFL is incredibly protective of their brand. Host and promote your Super Bowl event by. the. book. Market effectively but cautiously.
That said, make sure to have fun! This is a fantastic event that encourages viewers to have a great time, so make sure to keep things fun for your guests. It's an honor for people to choose to watch the Super Bowl at your bar, so reward them.
Cheers!
Read this: Countdown to Kickoff: Cocktails for Sunday's Big Game
The Eagle
Recipe and image courtesy of aMuse
“We wouldn’t want anyone to feel uncomfortable if they just want to watch the game or if they happen to be visiting from Boston,” says outlets manager John Connor. “Don't get me wrong…we are totally rooting for the Eagles, but we think it will be a fun experience for our guests to choose the team they are rooting for in the form of a cocktail.”
- 2 oz. Philadelphia Distilling Bluecoat Gin
- 2 Cucumber wheels to muddle
- 1 oz. Lime juice
- ½ oz. Simple syrup
- Cucumber wheel to garnish
Muddle the cucumber wheels in the bottom of a cocktail shaker with the lime juice and simple syrup. Add the gin and ice, and shake until well-chilled. Double-strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with the cucumber wheel.
The Patriot
Recipe and image courtesy of aMuse
- 1 ½ oz. Barr Hill Gin
- ½ oz. Campari
- ½ oz. Lillet
Orange peel, for garnish
Add all ingredients except garnish to a cocktail glass, add ice, and stir until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice, and garnish with the orange peel.
Read this: Pump Up Your Big Game Promotion with these 12 Game Day Recipes
Pederson Punch
Recipe and image courtesy of The Terrace at Rooftop at Exchange Place
This drink—named for the Eagles coach—is fruity and refreshing. Feel free to batch it in a pitcher and let guests serve themselves.
- ½ oz. Prairie Organic Vodka
- ½ oz. Raspberry puree
- ½ oz. Simple syrup
- 3 oz. chilled Prosecco
- Lemon twist to garnish
Add the vodka, puree and simple syrup to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake until well chilled. Double-strain into a stemless wine glass, top with Prosecco, and garnish with a lemon twist.
The Belichick Bowl
Recipe and image courtesy of The Skylark
This Margarita riff named for the Patriots’ head coach is super easy to mix up, and gets a pop of effervescence from lemon-lime soda
- 10 oz. Sauza Silver Tequila
- 10 oz. Fresh grapefruit and lime juice (equal parts)
- Splash of Fresca
Combine all ingredients in a pitcher. To serve, pour over ice.
Brotherly Love
Recipe courtesy of Blue Harbour
“This is a take on the most famous drink to come out of Philly, called Philly Fish House Punch,” says head bartender William Frost. “Since we will be serving to all of our friends and family during the [game], we are calling it Brotherly Love (we are Eagles fans!)”
Serves 18-20
- 1 cup Sugar
- 4 Lemons, peeled (reserve peels)
- 4 cups Hot water or black tea
- 1 cup Lemon juice
- 4 cups Jamaican rum
- 4 cups Cognac
- ½ cup Peach brandy
- Thinly sliced lemon wheels to garnish
- Freshly grated nutmeg to garnish
In a punch bowl, add the sugar and lemon peels, mix by hand, and let stand for 30 minutes. Add the hot water or black tea to dissolve the sugar. Add the rum, Cognac, lemon juice and peach brandy, and stir. Add ice to chill and for dilution, float thinly sliced lemon wheels on top for garnish, and sprinkle with freshly grated nutmeg.
Bank House Punch
Recipe and image courtesy of Mondrian South Beach
This complex yet refreshing punch is named after the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, where this year’s matchup will take place.
- 1 oz. Zacapa 23 Rum
- ½ oz. Hennessy VS
- ½ oz. Giffard Peach Liqueur
- 1 oz. Lemon
- 1 oz. Black tea syrup (see note)
- Fresh nutmeg to garnish
- Lemon wheel to garnish
- Mint sprig to garnish
Add all ingredients except garnish to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a tall glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a pinch of fresh nutmeg, a lemon wheel and mint sprig.
For the black tea simple syrup:
Add 1 cup water and 1 cup white sugar to a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and add a black tea bag. Steep for 4 minutes, remove teabag, cool and store in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Cool as a Cucumber
Recipe courtesy of Jared Adkins, founder and Master Distiller, Bluebird Distilling; Image: Bluebird Distilling
“Cool as a Cucumber pays homage to Nick Foles and his ‘cool’ demeanor on the field that has led us [here],” Adkins explains. “The color is reminiscent of the Eagles’ original Kelly green uniforms. It’s the perfect sessionable cocktail for Super Bowl Sunday—you can drink all day and detox while you retox!”
- 1 ½ oz. Gin
- 2 oz. English cucumber juice
- ¾ oz. Simple syrup
- ¼ oz. Lime juice
- Cucumber slice, for garnish
Add all ingredients except garnish to a cocktail shaker, add ice, and shake until well chilled. Strain into a Collins glass over fresh ice, and garnish with the cucumber slice.
Lightning on My Feet
Recipe and image courtesy of Reyka Vodka
“Solerno Blood Orange adds a bright citrus note, which adds a refreshing kick,” says Reyka brand ambassador Trevor Schneider. “Whether you’re performing a touchdown dance or cheering from the sidelines, Lighting On My Feet will add a tropical twist of fun to any watch party.”
- 1 ½ oz. Reyka Vodka
- 2 oz. Pineapple juice
- ¾ oz. Solerno Blood Orange Liqueur
- ½ oz. Lemon juice
- Angostura Bitters
- Pineapple leaves and pineapple chunk to garnish
Add all ingredients except bitters and garnish to a cocktail shaker. Add ice and shake until well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice, top with a few dashes of Angostura Bitters, and garnish with the pineapple chunk and leaves.
The Horse Collar
Recipe courtesy of Adam Robinson, Cognac educator and bartender, Deadshot; Image: Kari Young
“As a child I remember drinking Martinelli while watching the big game, so I wanted to make a drink inspired by that memory,” Robinson says. “In this drink I am pairing a more fruit-forward Cognac with the herbal notes of the amaro and the flavor of fermented apples, [which is] complex and delicious, but also approachable and refreshing.”
Serves 4
- 8 oz. Cognac
- 8 oz. Dry cider
- 2 oz. Cynar
- 1 oz. Simple syrup
- 8 dashes Peychaud’s Bitters
- Lemon twists to garnish
Add all ingredients except garnish to a pitcher. Add some ice and stir to combine. Pour into single-serve glass bottles. Serve drinks in highball glasses over ice, garnished with a lemon twist.
Hudson Safety Sour
Recipe and image courtesy of Hudson Whiskey
“The Hudson Safety Sour is a crowd pleaser and conversation starter,” says Hudson Whiskey ambassador Han Shan. “The sharp cut of ginger beer with the fresh, real sour always gets a crowd talking, and with the rich Hudson Single Malt—yep, an American single malt whiskey—running full throttle throughout, it’s a cocktail that definitely goes far and wide in flavor.”
- 1 ½ oz. Hudson Single Malt Whiskey
- 1 oz. Apple cider
- ½ oz. Lemon juice
- ½ oz. Simple syrup
- Ginger beer to top
- Thin apple slice and grated nutmeg to garnish
Build the cocktail in a Collins glass over ice. Stir to combine, and garnish with the apple and nutmeg.
Kelly Magyarics, DWS, is a wine, spirits and lifestyle writer, and wine educator, in the Washington, D.C area. She can be reached through her website, www.kellymagyarics.com, or on Twitter and Instagram @kmagyarics.