Super Bowl Sunday is just a few days away. In your last minute preparations, have you thought about what you’re going to drink? I see you shaking your head. Don’t fret. Here’s a quick roundup of what to serve at your Super Bowl party and *NOT* break the bank.
Now, there’s no questioning who I’m rooting for. I’ve been a loud and proud 12 since the days of Jim Zorn and Steve Largent. I love my team in the good, the bad, the ugly and the downright SUCK. Do I think Richard Sherman is the best corner in the league? Damn right I do. Do I love me some Marshawn Lynch? Thanks for askin’. Do I think that the Legion of Boom is the #1 defense? Duh. So of course, I’m going to recommend some Seattle/Pacific Northwest beer and wine to go with your Super Bowl feast. Have no fear, though, Pats fans…I’ve got a treat or two for you as well.
Wine
Now, I’m sure you’re wondering, “Wine? What the…? You’re crazy, Alina!” but hear me out. Wine has it’s place at a Super Bowl Party just as beer, chili and chicken wings do! What do I recommend you drink?
O Wines Red Blend and Chardonnay. These two wines are excellent pairings with the variety Super Bowl fare. And at $12.99 and $10.99 respectively, they won’t kill the food budget (since we all know that the food is *always* the star of the show).
The Red Wine is a blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon & syrah and shows the classic Washington characteristics of dark berries, cherries, cocoa and baking spice. It would go well if someone is grilling some form of beast, or if you serve hearty fare at your party.
The Chardonnay is a lovely wine with pear and baking spice on the nose & palate. Aged in stainless steel, this Chardonnay would be lovely with seafood dip, chicken and any cheese you may have out.
And the best thing about the O Wines? Each purchase supports their scholarship fund!
Beer
My go-to game day beer is 12th Man Pale Ale from Dick’s Brewing in Centralia, WA. Don’t let the fact that this beer is in a can fool you, this is good stuff…and this is coming from the girl who would rather walk barefoot across the sun than drink canned beer. 12th Man Pale Ale is an approachable beer with a nice balance of hops and sweetness. This would go *very well* with any of your game day fare.
My other go-to game day beer is Redhook Audible Ale. This is another Pale Ale, but this one brings lacks the sweetness from the 12th Man Pale Ale. What it lacks in sweetness, it makes up for hoppy goodness, though. While the Audible Ale isn’t designed specifically for the Seahawks, you have to figure that’s who they had in mind. 😉
For those of you who want to drink something from Boston (a city which I love, mind you…I just don’t like the Football team), I was pleasantly surprised by the Sam Adams Cherry Wheat enough to want to seek out other Sam Adams beers. 🙂
Cocktails
Who doesn’t love a good cocktail? I flexed my mixology muscles and came up with a couple of fantastic cocktails!
Boston Tea Party
1.5 oz gin
0.5 oz grapefruit bitters
fill glass with iced tea, unsweetened
lemon wedge
thyme infused simple syrup (optional, to personal preference)
Combine gin, bitters, simple syrup and iced tea over ice and stir. Add lemon wedge.
To make thyme infused simple syrup: combine equal parts sugar & water in a sauce pan. Boil until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat, add in fresh thyme leaves, cover and steep for one hour. Pour into a squeeze bottle and refrigerate.
The Seattle
1.5 oz moonshine/white whiskey
0.5 oz blue curaçao
1.0 oz sour apple schnapps
4.5 oz lemonade
Combine all in a glass over ice and stir.
*NOTE* When I stir any cocktail, I prefer to use a butter knife over a spoon, but do as you wish.
Enjoy Super Bowl Sunday everyone! As always, be smart. Don’t drink & drive. Call a cab, a buddy, crash on a couch…whatever you need to do to sober up before getting behind the wheel. And if you’re like me, you will also watch the Puppy Bowl and the Kitten Bowl before hand! 🙂
Disclaimer: O Wines were provided as a media sample. Cocktails and their respective names were products of my imagination and any similarities to a similar drink at a place of business are merely coincidental.
