7 Drink Recipes for Your Super Bowl Party

By
The Serious Eats Team
At Serious Eats, we’re a team of self-proclaimed food nerds who are ever-curious about the “why” behind cooking. The staff has worked in restaurants, test kitchens, bakeries, and other notable publications, bringing extensive culinary and editorial expertise to the table.
Learn about Serious Eats' Editorial Process
Updated August 10, 2018
Elana Lepkowski

As you plot your Super Bowl gathering, you're probably thinking about spicy wings and creamy dips, epic nachos and meaty chili, potato skins and of course, a fridge full of beer. Still, it's nice to have a pitcher of cocktails—and an non-alcoholic option—ready as well. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

The Ultimate Bloody Mary

20130809bloody-mary-primary.jpg
J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

You can't drink all day if you don't start in the morning, so we recommend mixing up a pitcher or two of Bloodies before the kickoff. The key to a winning Bloody Mary is punching up the savory side with umami-rich ingredients like Worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, plus freshly grated horseradish and a little Frank's hot sauce. As for the vodka, any decent cheap brand will do: the flavor isn't going to be that apparent once you mix in all your tomato juice and other flavorings.

Get the Recipe and Tips: The Ultimate Fully Loaded Bloody Mary »

Frozen Lime Margaritas

The Best Frozen Lime Margaritas
Robyn Lee

This is the best recipe we know for frozen margaritas: tart, refreshing, cooling, and easy to make ahead. The secret: placing your homemade margarita 'mix' in the freezer overnight. Try to use decent tequila here; we recommend seeking out Tapatio, which was recently introduced in the US. It's a steal at around $34 for a liter bottle.

Get the Recipe: Frozen Lime Margaritas »

Steak Island Beer Cocktail

Elana Lepkowski

This beer cocktail is somewhat similar to a michelada, but with a secret savory ingredient: steak sauce. It's an earthy drink that pairs up well with meaty nachos or chili; but it's cooling, tart, and refreshing, too.

Get the Recipe: Steak Island Beer Cocktail »

Pineapple Rum Punch

20120604-pineapple-punchrumoroundup.jpg
Robyn Lee

If you're feeling ready for a little winter escape, this tropical drink will take you there thanks to ripe, fresh pineapple which infuses a simple syrup for a few hours (or overnight.) Aged rum adds caramel notes and richness, offset by tart lemon and sparkling water.

Get the Recipe: Pineapple Rum Punch »

Hibiscus Rum Cooler

Hibiscus Rum Cooler
Robyn Lee

We always recommend making drinks by the pitcher for a party, and this one's a really nice presentation with fresh mint and a gorgeous magenta hue. Think of it as a spiked lemonade, that's super-easy to make, especially if you use Tazo tea bags.

Get the Recipe: Hibiscus Rum Cooler »

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas

Fresh Watermelon Margaritas with St. Germain
Robyn Lee

If you're serving super-spicy wings and jalapeno-topped nachos, you may want something fruity to calm the heat. Watermelon juice is extra refreshing, especially with a hit of lime (and, ahem, tequila.) To get the watermelon flavor to really come through in this thirst-quencher, you'll whir an ample amount of ripe cubed melon (seedless is best) in a blender with a little kosher salt. Instead of the traditional triple sec, this recipes calls for St. Germain elderflower liqueur, which adds a delicate floral sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Fresh Watermelon Margaritas »

Classic Lemonade

Classic Lemonade
Dave Katz

Don't forget non-drinkers—and don't forget to encourage drinkers to occasionally alternate boozy drinks with something non-alcoholic! Grocery-store lemonade is ok, but the fresh homemade stuff is much better. Here's a classic recipe for lemonade with the perfect balance of tartness and sweetness.

Get the Recipe: Classic Lemonade »

More Serious Eats Recipes