Slam Dunk Cocktails to Make Before Tipoff
By Laura Fagan Originally Published March 2023, Updated February 2024
The 2024 NCAA Tournament is here, and it's time to gear up with your jerseys, brackets and most importantly, slam dunk-inspired beverages. With 68 teams and seven thrilling single-elimination rounds, you're going to need some fantastic cocktail inspiration to see you through to the Final Four this tournament season!
This basketball tournament is one of the most electrifying and eagerly anticipated basketball events of the year. Whether you prefer sweet and fruity concoctions or bold and spicy flavors, we've crafted the perfect cocktail for every type of basketball fan.
Mango Madness
What’s a basketball play without a little spice and flair? We’re here for it, and so is our Mango Madness cocktail! This bold drink features a generous pour of mezcal that is balanced by sweet mango juice and lime. Better yet, the chili lime rim and dash of black pepper add just the right amount of ‘madness’ to this mango mixer.
The Recipe:
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1 ounce Cointreau Liqueur
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1 ounce fresh lime juice
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1 ounce mango juice
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Black pepper
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Lime wheel
Using a lime wedge, rim a glass with Tajin and set aside. In a shaker with ice, add liqueur, mezcal, lime juice, mango juice and 1-2 grinds of black pepper. Shake and strain into a glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Big Orange
If you feel your temperature rising as the points tie up on the court, you’ll want to sip on the Big Orange. This cool, smooth and creamy cocktail packs a sweet punch with a blend of Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum, triple sec and fresh orange juice. Scoops of sweet vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet bring the chill for any tense bracket play. And let's not forget the finishing touch – a dollop of whipped cream!
The Recipe:
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2 ounces Blue Chair Bay Coconut Rum
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1 ounce triple sec
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4 ounces orange juice
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¾ cup vanilla ice cream
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¼ cup orange sherbet
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Orange soda
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Whipped cream
In a blender, add rum, triple sec, orange juice, ice cream, sherbet and orange soda. Blend and pour into a fresh glass. Top with whipped cream.
Courtside Punch
Let's be honest, most of us won’t be sitting courtside for any tournament play, but that doesn’t mean we can’t sip like we’ve got floor seats! This Courtside Punch is a simple, three-ingredient cocktail that hits the rim on flavor with 100% agave tequila, a splash of citrus and ginger beer. And the best part? You can enjoy this courtside-worthy cocktail from the comfort of your couch! And, no paparazzi!
The Recipe:
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2 ounces Casa Del Sol Blanco Tequila
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2 ounces fresh orange juice
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3 ounces ginger beer
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Orange wedge
In a tall glass with ice, add tequila, orange juice and ginger beer. Stir to combine and garnish with an orange wedge.
Orange Swish
What’s the most beautiful sound in basketball? A swish, of course! This drink captures the bliss of sinking the ball with a dynamic Olajuwon-Drexler like duo of bourbon and orange. This blend of Keeper's Heart Irish and Bourbon Whiskey, orange soda and fresh clementine will have you hitting nothing but net with every sip. It's the perfect drink to cheer on your favorite team while enjoying the thrill of the tournament.
The Recipe:
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1 ½ ounces Keeper's Heart Irish and Bourbon Whiskey
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Orange soda
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Clementine
In a glass, add bourbon and top with orange soda. Garnish with an unpeeled clementine.
Prime Thyme
This Prime Thyme cocktail is a tasty addition to any basketball drink roster. This unique mix of fresh plum purée, potato vodka and fruit juices create a delicious balance of sweet and tart flavors that are sure to have your taste buds squaring up to score! This ripe, fruit-forward cocktail is also a great option to add a bit of sophistication to your tournament day toasting.
The Recipe:
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1 ½ ounces Luksusowa Polish Potato Vodka
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¾ ounce plum purée*
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½ ounce fresh lemon juice
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½ ounce simple syrup
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¾ ounce apple juice
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3 thyme sprigs
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Apple wedge
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Plum wedge
Plum purée*:
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4 ripe plums peeled, stone removed and cut into quarters
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¼ cup water
For plum purée: Add the plum quarters to a saucepan with water. Cook for about 10 minutes on medium heat until the plums have broken down to a thick purée and are soft and tender. Purée with a blender until smooth.
For cocktail: In a shaker with ice, add vodka, plum purée, lemon juice, simple syrup, apple juice and two thyme sprigs. Shake and strain into a glass. Garnish with a thyme sprig, apple wedge and plum wedge.
Gametime Sangria
Looking for an easy-sipping cocktail to enjoy while your favorite player is sinking three-pointers? This Gametime Sangria is the perfect choice. It is a delicious, fruity blend that combines red wine, Cointreau and brandy dressed up with fresh apple slices, lime wheels and rosemary. And since you can mix up this sangria the day before, you won’t need to miss any gametime playing bartender during a bracket buster!
The Recipe:
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1 cup Cointreau Liqueur
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1, 750mL bottle Silver Lining Pinot Noir
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1/3 cup E & J Brandy VS
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Apple slices
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Rosemary sprigs
In a pitcher, add liqueur, red wine, brandy, orange wheels, apple slices and lime wheels. Set in fridge overnight. Serve on ice and garnish with a sprig of rosemary.
Game Day Peach Sour
This next cocktail recipe is a game day MVP. It’s simple but brings together a legendary match-up: bourbon and peach schnapps. The splash of sour mix rounds out the flavor profile of this cocktail and it's so easy to make that you can mix one up before the shot clock runs out!
The Recipe:
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3 ounces Marker’s Mark Bourbon
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1 ounce Paisley & Sage Peach Schnapps
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Splash of Agalima Organic Sweet & Sour Mix
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Peach slices
Add bourbon, peach schnapps and sour mix to a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass over fresh ice. Garnish with peach slices.
Pregame Punch
All you need to remember for our next March Madness inspired cocktail is: 1-1-1. And no, we’re not speaking in wins and losses here. Just mix together one ounce each of Jack Daniel’s, orange and cranberry juice and you’ve got a refreshing and fruity Pregame Punch. This is a great option to start your watch party or sip on through the game as the alcohol content is lower.
The Recipe:
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1 ounce orange juice
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1 ounce cranberry juice
Combine whiskey and juices in a glass with ice. Stir to combine and garnish with an orange slice.
Tip-off
In search of a cocktail that doesn't leave you feeling foul? Try this recipe made with Morning Recovery, which claims to help your liver flush out toxic byproducts and restore vitals as you drink.
The Recipe:
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2 ounces Campo Azul Selecto Blanco Tequila
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2 ounces fresh orange juice
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½ ounce agave nectar
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½ ounce fresh lemon juice
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1 bottle Natural Lemon Morning Recovery
Rim glass with Tajin and set aside. In a cocktail shaker, add tequila, orange juice, agave nectar, freshly squeezed lemon juice, Morning Recovery and ice. Shake well and strain into a glass over fresh ice. Add a splash of sparkling water. Garnish with lime wheel.
Whether you're a die-hard basketball fan or just looking for a fun game day-themed cocktail, these recipes will help you celebrate every buzzer-beater, upset or Cinderella story that the tournament serves up. Find more game day cocktails like this here and stock up at your local ABC or online at abcfws.com.