Welcome to 5 O’Clock Somewhere, a series in which our network of culinary all-stars share their favorite drinks—along with everything you need to serve them in style.
I’ll be honest: The only football team I’ve ever cared about enough to follow is the New York Giants, and given their performance over the past few years…let’s just say I haven’t really had a reason to keep up with the sport at all.
But no matter my current level of interest in the league itself, one thing I can always get behind is a game day watch party. I’ll take any excuse to gather friends, eat snacks, drink beer, and be merry, especially when I can do it all from the comfort of my own living room. What better way to spend one of the coldest months of the year?
If you, like me, are plotting a playoff or Super Bowl bash for the coming weeks, I have a few words of advice as the longtime designated hostess of my friend group—the main one being that you should feel entitled to make things as easy as possible for yourself. Thinking through your party setup with intention beforehand and eliminating anything that requires you to spend active time in the kitchen instead of on the couch means that after kickoff, the only things left to stress about will be yard lines and touchdowns. Batched cocktails, canned drinks, make-ahead hors d’oeuvres, and store-bought snacks are your friends, as are durable, dishwasher-safe plates and cups that you’ll be able to reuse next season.
Read on for everything you’ll want to stock up on before the big game, plus some recipe ideas that may just become your new go-tos.
A swiggable batched cocktail
The beergarita perfectly encapsulates laid-back summer sipping in a single pitcher, combining the familiarity of a margarita with the effervescence of beer.
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Cointreau
Orange Liqueur Triple Sec
Casamigos x Williams Sonoma
Salt Rimmers, Set of 3
While my typical drink of choice is a dirty martini, in my mind, a game day drink should be something you can take big gulps of out of a large sturdy cup—not something served in a dainty coupe you’re bound to spill the second someone scores a touchdown. This beergarita from associate director of drinks and lifestyle Joseph Hernandez is the ultimate refresher to help wash down salty snacks, and it comes together in a pitcher, which means you won’t have to play bartender. Set up a salt rimming station and let your guests have at it.
…And a durable pitcher and glasses to serve it in
West Elm
Fluted Acrylic Pitcher
TOSSWARE
10 oz. Tumbler – Color Series Set of 4
A game day party can (and should) get rowdy, so leave the delicate borosilicate glass carafe on its shelf and opt instead for this plastic pitcher from West Elm.