Homegating: Tips for Hosting an At-Home Football Party
By Laura Fagan Published August 2023
home · gat · ing
/hōm. gāt. ING/
verb 1
The process, or action of, hosting friends and family at one’s home for a televised sporting event ● typically accompanied by food, drink and game day activities. ○ For the playoff game, we are homegating at Al’s house instead of tailgating at the stadium.
Homegating is the fine art of transforming your home into the ultimate game day sanctuary, stacked with all the snacks, sips and comfy seating you could ask for. Stadium tailgating is the longstanding champ of football traditions, but let's not overlook the perks that come with taking the celebrations to the cozy confines of your home.
Join us for front-row seats to all the action without ever leaving your house. Here are our expert tips, game day tricks and top-tier recipes for hosting epic at-home football parties.
Pouch Cocktails
Pouch cocktails are an easy option to prebatching your cocktails in individual servings for your at-home football party. We’re making ours clean, with whole ingredients, and eco-friendly, using disposable pouches made from non-toxic, biodegradable plastic, or opt for reusable, hand-held drink pouches. Just make them in advance, pop them in the freezer, fridge or cooler and you’ll have ready-to-drink cocktails for all your guests. Check out our kickoff-ready recipes below:
Watermelon Mint Spritz
Blitz? We thought you said spritz! This simple pouch recipe uses clean, fresh ingredients to create a sustainable and seriously delicious sealed spritz. All you need is fresh lime, watermelon juice, V5 Vodka and mint leaves.
Milagro Paloma
A pouched paloma! You can thank us later. This tequila-based cocktail blends Milagro Silver Tequila (triple distilled and extraordinarily smooth), fresh lime juice, agave nectar and grapefruit soda. The Milagro Paloma is a popular pouch choice for fans who want something refreshing and tart.
Not a DIY-er? Don’t worry. Grab premade vodka pouches from Big Machine.
Big Batch Cocktails
Football season is a team sport, and the same should be true for your drinks. Instead of being stuck behind the bar or counter, score big points with this winning strategy: batch cocktails. This clutch playbook move saves you time and ensures everyone has a cup in hand, ready to celebrate each touchdown. Get creative with some of our favorite football-inspired batch cocktails:
Cuervo Red Zone Raspberry Lemonade
The thrill of the red zone in a glass! This tart and refreshing cocktail features Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado, triple sec and zesty raspberry lemonade. It's the perfect game day drink for fans who crave the classic combination of tequila and tangy juice.
Punter’s Pomegranate Sparkler
We love a batch cocktail that celebrates the unsung heroes on the roster: special teams. This sparkling sensation blends two bottles of Freixenet Cordon Negro Cava Sparkling with a flavorful mix of Grand Marnier, vodka, pomegranate juice and ginger ale.
Sunny Cranberry Pinot Punch
Fall means football, and this wine-based Sunny Cranberry Pinot Punch brings together all those sought-after seasonal flavors! With zero sugar, low-calorie pinot noir, cranberry juice, apple cider and a hint of Cointreau, this punch is a tasty fall cocktail to enjoy while cheering on your team.
Evan Williams Peach Smash
Get the game day excitement (and QB sacks) going with the Evan Williams Peach Smash—a crowd-pleasing, peach-infused batch cocktail. This drink features the smooth heat of Evan Williams Peach Bourbon balanced by fresh peaches, refreshing mint and a touch of lemon.
Hornitos Game Day Tequila Sunrise
This colorful batch cocktail blends Hornitos Reposado Tequila, light beer, zesty orange juice and a touch of grenadine. Just pour this tasty concoction over ice-filled glasses for that signature sunrise effect.
Champion Charcuterie Boards
When it's game time, strategic snacking is key, and that's where a champion charcuterie board steps up to the line of scrimmage. As a homegating host, you can easily set up an all-star lineup of delicious snacks for your game day spread:
-
Assorted cured meats like salami, prosciutto and pepperoni
-
Artisan cheeses ranging from creamy brie to sharp cheddar
-
Savory spreads and dips like bourbon bacon jam, onion dip or a classic salsa
-
Crunchy delights such as crackers, breadsticks or pretzels
-
Vibrant fruits and veggies to add a pop of color and freshness
-
Olives, pickles or marinated vegetables for tangy accents
-
Nuts, like almonds or cashews, for an extra satisfying crunch
Boozy Foods
Homegating is all about capturing the electric stadium atmosphere, minus the mile-long lines. So, for your at-home football party, try serving up some spirited spins on stadium favorites with these boozy food options:
Cuervo Shrimp Flatbread
If you’re usually grabbing pizza during the game, make this elevated option instead. This flavor-packed flatbread layers savory shrimp, a spinach basil pesto infused with Jose Cuervo Especial Silver and creamy cheese.
White Wine Mac ‘N’ Cheese
Mac ‘n’ cheese is a must, and this version is stacked (just like your favorite team, hopefully!). Alphabet noodles are mixed with a creamy wine sauce along with melted gruyère and sharp white cheeses. And with a golden crust of panko breadcrumbs and grated parmesan, this chardonnay’d spin on a classic comfort food will go quick!
Maker’s Mark BBQ Sauce
If you’re preparing meatballs or pulled meats, you’ll need a killer BBQ sauce to go with them. This recipe is simple and doesn’t even require the stove. All you need to do is start with your favorite store-bought BBQ sauce, then add Maker’s Mark, vinegar, mustard and some red pepper flakes to give it all the right stuff.
Michter’s US*1 Sour Mash Sesame Wings
Chicken wings are a must-have at any football watch party. With slowly developed flavors of garlic, ginger and Michter’s US1 Sour Mash Whiskey these slightly caramelized wings deliver a touchdown of flavors.
Coco Wings
For another wing option that leans into tropical flavors, throw some Coco Wings on the grill or under the broiler. Featuring a Caribbean-inspired blend of Don Q Coconut Rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream and a kick of crushed red pepper, these island wings are marinated overnight and then cooked to perfection.
Orange Jägermeister Butter Wing Glaze
Yes, you read that right: Jäger. Wing. Glaze. Remember the 56 spices and herbs found in this very distinct digestif? Well, they shine when paired with orange zest, butter, garlic and cream. Whip up a batch of this wing glaze for your fellow football fans and wait for the compliments to roll in.
Fruitful Blends Peach Raspberry Boozy Pop
This fruity, frozen pop is the perfect treat to cool any heated 4th quarter nerves. These icy delights combine the sweet flavors of Woodbridge by Mondavi Peach Raspberry Fruitful Blends zesty lemonade and a splash of gin.
Kim Crawford Wine Jelly Wedges
These served-in-citrus Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc jelly wedges are spiked, sweet and perfectly tart to fill those 2-minute game time pauses.
Hustle to grab all your homegating essentials online at abcfws.com, at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits store or by downloading the brand-new ABC Fine Wine & Spirits app.