Game Day, the New Deal Way

There’s nothing like a crisp autumn day, a roaring crowd, and the comforting hum of pre-game chatter filling your home. Whether you're tailgating outside the stadium or hosting a watch party from your living room, game day is as much about the food and drink as it is about touchdowns and two-point conversions. Tired of sad-looking grocery-store sandwich boards? It's time to elevate your Game Day experience beyond store-bought sides and a simple cooler of canned beers!

This season, upgrade your football festivities with these crowd-pleasing, spirit-forward recipes—ranging from shareable dips and hearty entrees to boozy desserts and warm-you-up cocktails. Each boozy recipe features a New Deal craft spirit and is made for savoring alongside your favorite team.

The Bloody Mary is the undisputed king of brunch cocktails, and this recipe featuring Hot Monkey Pepper Vodka is a fiery take on the classic. Our recipe employs a scratch-made mix that hits all the right savory and spicy notes, featuring a delicious blend of Campbell's tomato juice, pickle brine, Worcestershire, and a blend of onion, garlic, and lemon pepper. The addition of fresh lemon and lime juices provides a bright, acidic lift that makes this drink stand out from the crowd. Garnish like a champ—with Mama Lil's Lilibeans, Donostia Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives, shrimp, or even bacon.

For those who prefer a gin-based Bloody Mary, the Red Snapper is your ticket. Made with New Deal Gin No. 1, this cocktail is a botanical and complex alternative. The recipe is similar to the Bloody Mary, but the gin's juniper and botanical notes add a new layer of complexity to the savory mix. It's a more refined, aromatic version of the classic that will impress any gin aficionado. It's crisp, tangy, and unmistakably bold—a perfect start to the day (or game).

Enjoy a sunny start to a morning kickoff game with A Really Good Screwdriver. This recipe proves that the simplest drinks can be the most rewarding with a little twist. By adding Orgeat syrup--an almond-based syrup often used in tropical drinks-- to the classic combination of New Deal Vodka and fresh-squeezed orange and lemon juice, this drink gets an unexpected tropical richness. The almond notes add a creamy, nutty layer that makes this a truly "good" screwdriver.

Another riff on the classic brunch-friendly Screwdriver, the Sunday Driver features a blend of our zesty Ginger Liqueur and Portland 90 Vodka. Mixed with fresh orange and lemon juice, the result is a bright and spicy drink that is far more sophisticated than its name suggests. The Ginger Liqueur adds a fiery kick that makes it a perfect pick-me-up.

This classic never disappoints, especially when made with our grain-to-glass flagship, New Deal Vodka. Tart grapefruit and smooth vodka come together with a salted rim in the refreshing, low-fuss Salty Dog. The salt enhances the sweet-tartness of the grapefruit, creating a perfectly balanced flavor profile that's both savory and refreshing.

Bright, zippy, and endlessly drinkable, our house recipe for a Moscow Mule is a modern take on a timeless classic. Instead of relying on ginger beer, the New Deal recipe uses a blend of Portland 90 Vodka and Ginger Liqueur, topped with club soda and a generous squeeze of fresh lime. The result is a lighter, more vibrant, and genuinely gingery mule that's incredibly refreshing. Serve in copper mugs for bonus points!

For those who like a little heat, This Spicy Little Number is the drink for you. Made with either Portland 90 Vodka or New Deal Vodka, this cocktail features fresh jalapeño slices muddled in simple syrup and lemon juice, topped with soda water. The muddling of the jalapeño in simple syrup releases its spicy, vegetal essence, creating a fiery but balanced drink.

The classic Whiskey Sour is a perfect Game Day drink, but the addition of pure maple syrup and Distiller's Reserve Bourbon makes this Maple Bourbon Sour a truly autumnal masterpiece. The bourbon provides notes of oak and vanilla, which are beautifully complemented by the rich, earthy sweetness of the maple syrup and the bright acidity of lemon juice. It's a smooth, well-rounded, utterly delicious cocktail, especially when paired with salty snacks like roasted nuts or spiced popcorn.

A bright, refreshing take on a Tom Collins, our Fall Collins, swaps gin for New Deal Pear Brandy and adds St. Elizabeth Allspice Dram for a warm, spicy flavor profile. The result is a perfectly balanced cocktail with notes of pear, citrus, and a hint of baking spices. It's a sophisticated yet easy-to-make drink that tastes like Autumn in a glass.

While the pumpkin spice craze may be seasonal, this indulgent take on the classic White Russian is a year-round delight. Our Pumpkin Spice White Russian combines Portland 90 Vodka and New Deal Coffee Liqueur, with a generous splash of Pumpkin Spice creamer. The optional pumpkin spice rim and whipped cream turn this from a simple cocktail into a creamy, dreamy sipper made for dessert hour—or halftime.

Our Mulled Apple Cider isn't your average store-bought cider. By mulling the apple cider with an aromatic blend of orange, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and allspice, you create a fragrant base that is the very essence of autumn. The recipe calls for a shot of Distiller's Workshop Brandy or New Deal Pear Brandy, but you could also use Distiller's Reserve Bourbon for a richer, more robust flavor. It's a true crowd-pleaser that fills your home with the most inviting aromas.

A timeless classic elevated. We think you'll agree that our Hot Buttered Rum is a game-changer, combining our Spiced Rum and a house-made coconut oil-based spiced mix--finally a vegan-friendly option for this classic cold-weather sipper. The rum itself is infused with notes of cinnamon, allspice, and clove, which perfectly complement the warm, buttery, and sweet profile of the mix. Topped with a unique Cascara Liqueur whipped cream, this is a complex, indulgent drink that feels like a true special occasion.

Football is a communal sport, and nothing says "togetherness" like a big batch of hot chocolate. Our Spiked Hot Chocolate recipe can be made using either Spiced Rum or rich Mud Puddle Bitter Chocolate Vodka. The latter option, made from a cacao nib infusion, adds an unparalleled depth of baking chocolate flavor. Simply mix your chosen spirit into a mug of prepared hot chocolate and top with a mountain of whipped cream.

Let's be honest, a good dip is a non-negotiable on game day. But this isn't your average, run-of-the-mill bean dip. This Smoky Black Bean Dip is a warm, cheesy, and incredibly flavorful dip that gets a serious kick from our Hot Monkey Pepper Vodka. The smoked paprika in the recipe beautifully complements the peppery notes of the vodka, creating a dip that is both smoky and spicy. Served warm with a generous topping of cotija cheese and fresh cilantro, this dip is a guaranteed touchdown.

Next up is a dip that is pure, unadulterated comfort food: Caramelized Onion Dip. Forget the stuff from a packet; this homemade version is in a league of its own. The onions are slow-cooked until they are sweet and jammy, and then a splash of New Deal Pear Brandy is added to deglaze the pan and add a subtle, fruity depth of flavor. The result is a creamy, savory, and utterly addictive dip that will have your guests begging for the recipe.

A platter of chilled shrimp with cocktail sauce is a timeless classic for a reason. It’s elegant, it’s easy to eat, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser. But our Spicy Hot Monkey Cocktail Sauce takes the classic to a whole new level with a homemade cocktail sauce that is spiked with Hot Monkey Pepper Vodka. The vodka adds a fiery kick that is balanced by the sweetness of the ketchup and the tang of the horseradish. It's a simple yet sophisticated appetizer that is sure to impress.

Every game day spread needs a little something fresh and green to balance out all the rich and savory dishes. Our Fall Salad with Cascadia Vinaigrette is the perfect solution. It’s a beautiful and seasonal salad that is packed with flavor and texture. The star of the show is the vinaigrette, which is made with New Deal’s Cascadia American Bitter Liqueur. The liqueur adds a complex, herbaceous, and slightly bitter note to the dressing that is absolutely delicious.

Looking for a vegetarian option that will still satisfy the meat-eaters in your crowd? Look no further than this Crispy Cauliflower with Spicy Honey Glaze. The cauliflower florets are coated in a light batter and then fried or baked until golden and crispy. They are then tossed in a sweet and spicy glaze that is made with honey, chili paste, and of course, a splash of Hot Monkey Pepper Vodka for an extra kick. These are so addictive, you might want to make a double batch!

Tacos are always a crowd-pleaser, and these Hot Monkey-Honey Glazed Shrimp & Pineapple Tacos are sure to be a new favorite. The shrimp are marinated in a spicy and sweet glaze made with Hot Monkey Pepper Vodka, honey, and pineapple juice. They are then grilled to perfection and served in warm tortillas with a crunchy chipotle slaw and creamy avocado. The combination of sweet, spicy, and smoky flavors is absolutely irresistible.

Chili is the quintessential game day food, and this Chipotle Chocolate Black Bean Chili is a cut above the rest. The secret ingredient here is our Mud Puddle Bitter Chocolate Vodka, which adds an incredible depth of flavor and a subtle richness to the chili. The combination of smoky chipotle peppers, bitter chocolate, and earthy black beans is a match made in heaven. Serve it up with all your favorite toppings, and you’ve got a winning dish.

If you're looking for an entrée that is a little more elevated but still perfect for a casual game day gathering, these Korean Style Short Ribs with Pear Brandy are the answer. The short ribs are marinated in a sweet and savory mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar, gochujang, and New Deal Pear Brandy. The brandy adds a subtle sweetness and a wonderful pear flavor that takes these short ribs to the next level. They are incredibly tender, flavorful, and will have your guests coming back for more.

When the weather starts to cool down, there’s nothing better than a warm and comforting bowl of soup. This Squash Soup with Roasted Garlic & Hot Monkey Vodka is the perfect way to welcome the fall season. The sweetness of the roasted squash is perfectly balanced by the heat of the Hot Monkey Vodka, and the roasted garlic adds a wonderful depth of flavor. It's a soup that is both elegant and hearty, and it can be served as a starter or a light meal.

This is not your grandma’s banana pudding! This Spiced Rum Banana Pudding is a sophisticated and boozy twist on the classic Southern dessert. The bananas are caramelized in a mixture of butter, sugar, and New Deal Spiced Rum, which adds a wonderful warmth and complexity to the dessert. The pudding is layered with vanilla wafers and a homemade whipped cream, creating a dessert that is both comforting and elegant.

There’s something so satisfying about a warm and gooey skillet cookie, and this Bourbon Skillet Cookie is the perfect dessert for sharing. The cookie is loaded with chocolate chips and toffee bits, and the batter is infused with Distiller’s Reserve Bourbon. The bourbon adds a wonderful depth of flavor with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak that complement the chocolate and toffee perfectly. Serve it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a truly decadent dessert experience.

Cinnamon rolls are the ultimate comfort food, and these Spiced Rum Cinnamon Rolls are a truly decadent treat. The dough is soft and fluffy, the filling is warm and gooey, and the glaze is spiked with New Deal Spiced Rum. The rum adds a wonderful warmth and complexity to the glaze that takes these cinnamon rolls from delicious to absolutely divine.

And there you have it—Game Day menus that are anything but ordinary. Whether you're hosting a tailgate party, watching the game solo, or celebrating a team win with a crowd, these recipes will keep your game day food and drink lineup strong from kickoff to final whistle. Whether you're mulling cider for a crowd or shaking up This Spicy Little Number for a pre-game toast, you'll be sure to score a touchdown with your guests. Three cheers for a football season filled with good company, delicious food, and exceptional spirits.

Ready to stock up for Game Day? Visit the New Deal Bottle Shop to grab your favorite spirits and get in on the season’s most spirited traditions. Here's to a winning season and a perfect drink in hand!