Best Game Day cocktail & snack pairings for football parties

Nothing says football party classic like a zesty tequila Margarita paired with cheesy sheet pan chicken nachos. This combo balances citrusy zest with spicy, savory flavors—guaranteed to keep the crowd satisfied through every quarter.

• Flavor Profile: Citrusy, refreshing, salty-sweet

• Key Ingredients: Tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, sugar syrup, chicken nachos

• Game Day Tip: Set up a nacho bar with toppings like guacamole, salsa, and jalapeños, and make a pitcher of Margaritas before kickoff so fans can refill without missing a play.

This fizzy, grapefruit-forward concoction – also the national cocktail of Mexico – gets its kick from the addition of jalapeño. Its citrus sweetness blends well with the tang and spice of this classic game day dish.

• Flavor Profile: fizzy, citrus-y and sweet

• Key Ingredients: Grapefruit and tequila

This margarita riff has a complex smokey undertone that complements any cheesy Mexican recipe. But our Hail Mary is a platter of satisfying baked cheese-stuffed jalapeño bites to pair.

• Flavor Profile: deep, earthy notes of chocolate and spices intertwine with the smooth warmth of aged whiskey.

• Key Ingredients: Mole Bitters, Blanco Tequila, Demerara Syrup

• Game Day Tip: prepare a batch of the cocktails in advance and serve them in stylish rocks glasses with large ice cubes to keep them perfectly chilled. Arrange the Jalapeno Poppers on a platter with assorted dipping sauces, such as creamy avocado or tangy lime aioli,

The richness and depth of chai spice captures the flavors of fall in this seasonal spin on the classic whiskey sour. A standout on its own, the cocktail matches easily with the mild, earthy taste of a creamy round of baked brie.

• Flavor Profile: aromatic blend of spices and citrus, smooth whiskey and zesty lemon.

• Key Ingredients: chai, whiskey, lemon.

Delicately fruity, this cocktail finds its match in irresistibly sweet and salty bacon-wrapped dates. They’re ridiculously simple to make, but a total touchdown for the tastebuds.

• Flavor Profile: sweet, tangy and herbal

• Key Ingredients: Seedlip Garen 108, apple juice and soda water

• Game Day Tip: Serve your Non-Alcoholic Apple Highball in tall glasses filled with ice and garnish with thin apple slices for an elegant touch.

As the weather gets colder, you may be dreaming of roasted chestnuts. But they have nothing on spiced pecans. The native Southern nut draws out bourbon’s complex flavors, while the spicy-sweet seasoning complements the citrus notes. Not to mention they’re hassle-free - pick up a bag at the store and throw them in a bowl for an easy crowd-pleasing snack.

• Flavor Profile: Sweetnesss of maple syrup with robust whiskey and a hint of citrus

• Key Ingredients: Whiskey, maple syrup and aromatic bitters