Tailgating Drinks and Punches

August 23, 2016
Photo: Marcus Nilsson
These beverages are fun to drink, easy to make in batches, and look beautiful in dispensers on tabletops. Plus, if you appreciate a color-themed celebration as much as we do, find one that matches your team's hue, and you can add to the festive vibe while you sip and saunter through the crowd of guests.
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Prickly Pear Punch

Photo: Jennifer Causey
View Recipe: Prickly Pear Punch

We like the clean flavor and mixability of silver tequila here. For a nonalcoholic drink, omit it and top with sparkling water.

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Grapefruit Beergaritas

Photo: Greg DuPree
View Recipe: Grapefruit Beergaritas

Fresh juice and a little simple syrup replace margarita mix to cut 4 teaspoons (16g) added sugars per serving. Diluting tequila with juice and beer makes for a gentler cocktail that'll keep guests free from personal fouls.

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Honey Cider-Beer Cocktails

Photo: Brian Woodcock
View Recipe: Honey Cider-Beer Cocktails

The cider-honey base of this fall beverage makes enough for both adult and kid twists: one with pale ale, the other with sparkling cider. Beer and cider are refreshing and lower in sugar and alcohol than stronger potions, which tend to go down a bit too easily. The cider syrup needs time to cool; let it rest while you traverse the neighborhood; then mix up the drinks when you return. Cut the apple slices for the kids' drinks into spooky shapes before adding to the pitcher.

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Barbados Rum Punch

Photo: Caitlin Bensel
View Recipe: Barbados Rum Punch

Barbados, the Caribbean birthplace of rum, has a rum punch recipe as foolproof as it is versatile: "One of sour, two of sweet, three of strong, and four of weak." In our take, fruit juice and ginger ale serve as both sweet and weak, so we don't need to add any brown sugar or simple syrup.

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Strawberry and Watermelon Punch With Lime and Tarragon

Photo: Christopher Testani
View Recipe: Strawberry and Watermelon Punch With Lime and Tarragon

You can buy strawberry puree or make it yourself: Blend 16 ounces thawed frozen strawberries in a food processor. Strain through a fine sieve; discard seeds. Serve Mike DeCamp's (executive chef at Monello and Constantine) refreshing punch with or without alcohol.

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Dark and Limey

Photo: Daniel Agee
View Recipe: Dark and Limey

This is a turmeric-laced twist on a Dark and Stormy, the classic dark rum and ginger beer combo. If you don't have fresh turmeric, substitute 1 teaspoon ground turmeric. Lime boosts the tartness of turmeric to make a delightfully refreshing beverage. Myer's Rum is easy to find, but there are many small-batch dark rums now on the market; you may want to experiment with their subtle nuances.

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Strawberry and Rhubarb Lemonade

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Strawberry and Rhubarb Lemonade

For a refreshing summertime sipper, serve your guests glasses of Strawberry and Rhubarb Lemonade. Tangy rhubarb enhances the puckery punch of this cool cup.

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Sparkling Meyer Lemon Cocktail

Photo: Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Sparkling Meyer Lemon Cocktail

This boozy drink hits the spot on a hot summer day. Get ready to double the recipe, because once your guests get a taste of this refreshing citrus beverage, they'll definitely want seconds!

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Festive Fruit Punch

Photo: Jan Smith
View Recipe: Festive Fruit Punch

Pineapple, orange, and cranberry juice unite with a splash of tonic for a refreshing summer drink. Dress up each serving with slices of lime, orange, and carambola (also known as starfruit).

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Summer Melon Rose Sangria

Photo: Robbie Caponetto
View Recipe: Summer Melon Rose Sangria

Whether it’s sipped poolside on a hot summer day or savored at a festive holiday soirée, sangria highlights seasonal fruit—from sweet, juicy peaches in summer to delightfully bitter blood oranges in winter. While the ingredients can vary, this Spanish drink typically contains a dry red, white, or sparkling wine, a sweetener, fresh fruit, and a small amount of brandy.

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Bottled Manhattans

Photo: Robbie Caponetto
View Recipe: Bottled Manhattans

There's nothing more convenient than having your go-to cocktail already mixed and waiting before a big party. This recipe comes together in 5 minutes and serves 12. See more tips on making premixed cocktails.

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Citrus-Beer Shandy

Photo: Johnny Miller
View Recipe: Citrus-Beer Shandy

Popular in Germany and other European countries, this beer-based mixed drink offers a subtle sour flavor. Premixed and homemade versions of shandy usually include carbonated lemonade but sometimes features different ingredients based on the location. This summertime variation blends fresh lemon and orange juice, honey, and vodka with the beer to create a refreshing seasonal drink.

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Peach Lemonade

Photo: Romulo Yanes
View Recipe: Peach Lemonade

Fresh summer peaches are a welcome addition to traditional lemonade in this easy, kid-friendly recipe. For the best and brightest flavors, make sure that your peaches are perfect ripeness.

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Berry Lemonade Tea

Oxmoor House
View Recipe: Berry Lemonade Tea

Here's a refreshingly fruity mix of tea and lemonade that is delicious hot or cold. Serve it cold with dinner or hot for an after-dinner treat. You can even spike it and serve it during cocktail hour.

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Whiskey Sour Punch

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Whiskey Sour Punch

Look for fresh orange juice in the refrigerated part of the produce department.

Make-ahead tip: Combine all ingredients except club soda up to two days ahead; gently stir in club soda shortly before serving.

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Rum Punch

Photo: Douglas Merrian and Randy Mayor
View Recipe: Rum Punch

It’s hard to beat the relaxing Caribbean flavors of this fruity rum punch. “I made this punch for a Girls' Night party. It was a big hit,” raves Theresa. “I couldn’t refill the punch bowl fast enough!”

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Blackberry Limeade

Photo: Jeff kauk
View Recipe: Blackberry Limeade

An unexpectedly refreshing duo of blackberries and lime juice works wonders in this simple concoction. Sugar cuts the tartness, but if you like a little pucker don’t add the full amount. Substitute club soda for the water to make it a mocktail.

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Cherry-Peach Sangria

Photo: José Picayo
View Recipe: Cherry-Peach Sangria

Tart cherries, sweet peaches, and aromatic thyme work wonders in this sparkling white sangria recipe. The flavor intensifies as the drink chills, and the marinated fruit is delicious to snack on when your glass is empty.

Wine Pick: Pazo Torrado Albarino (Spain)

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Bourbon-Peach Limeade

Photo: Dana Gallagher
View Recipe: Bourbon-Peach Limeade

The flavors point South in this summertime refresher: peaches getting happy with bourbon. Freeze fresh peach and lime slices on a parchment-lined pan, and drop a few into your drink for a frosty garnish.

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Fresh Raspberry Lemonade

Photo: Marcus Nilsson
View Recipe: Fresh Raspberry Lemonade

Cool off with our delicious raspberry lemonade recipe—perfect for a family gathering or picnic.

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