Coffee is always a great addition to any morning, but the everyday beverage deserves a little spicing up for game day. Kick off game day by preparing one of these cocktails appropriate for the a.m. and beyond as you kick back and watch your favorite team this fall. Coffee is always a great addition to any morning, but the everyday beverage deserves a little spicing up for game day.
IRISH COFFEE
Basic recipe:
1/2 shot Bailey's
1/2 shot James on
1 cup coffee
Tablespoon heavy cream, lightly whipped
Serve your coffee drinks in glasses (preferably warmed and emblazoned with your team's logo) as opposed to standard coffee mugs. Start with the liquor - such as Jameson Irish Whiskey - and have liqueurs such as Bailey's Irish Cream, Kahlua, Cointreau and Grand Marnier for guests to add according to personal taste. Some like to forego the whiskey altogether and use one or a mix of liqueurs.
Then add freshly brewed coffee and top with whipped cream if desired. Set out sugar (both white and brown) and honey for guests who like a sweeter drink, and top with cacao powder for a fancy look.
Caffe L'orangeCAFFE L'ORANGE
Caffe l'orange is a perfect chilled variation for Vols fans.
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups brewed coffee
1/4 cup orange liqueur (Cointreau, Triple Sec, Grand Marnier )
1/4 cup Bailey's
Ice cubes
Orange peels for garnish
Directions: Combine coffee, orange liqueur, Bailey's and ice into a shaker. Shake vigorously, strain into ice-filled glasses and garnish with an orange peel.
BLOODY MARY:
A Bloody Mary bar is another way to offer guests options on game day. Start with a good selection of topshelf vodkas and provide a variety of garnishes. The mix is key: my go-to is Zing Zang, but plain tomato juice or V8 also work.
Ingredients:
1 ounce vodka
3 ounces tomato juice (or Bloody Mary mix)
1 pinch each of salt and pepper
1 dash Worcesters hire sauce
Generous squeeze of lemon
1 stalk celery
Directions: In an ice-filled shaker, combine ingredients, shake and strain into a highball glass filled with ice. Garnish with a celery stalk.
TIP: Spice it up with an unexpected meaty flavor by adding bacon salt, pepperoni or a stick of beef jerky.
TIP: Along with classics such as celery, lemons and limes, consider more unusual garnishes such as pickle spears, pickled okra and olives stuffed with cheese or pimentos.
TIP: Set out dishes filled with celery salt, Old Bay seasoning, garlic powder, sea salt and black pepper, as well as chopped green chilies, jalapenos and horseradish for spicy kick. Provide bottles of Worcestershire sauce, Texas Pete's, Tabasco, Cholula and sriracha for guests to add dashes to their beverage to taste.