2025 Military Edition NOW AVAILABLE
2025 Military Edition NOW AVAILABLE
Whisky is the ultimate tailgating spirit. It can be enjoyed on its own or in hot or cold cocktails, making it a great game-day drink.
Whisky is also incredibly versatile, pairing perfectly with all kinds of food-from hot wings and smoked brisket to burgers and salty snacks. So let’s cook up a menu, choose some drinks your tailgaters will love, and get ready to rock it!
Before we get to the yummy stuff, let’s make sure you have what you need! The last thing you want to be doing is running around looking for things when you should be getting excited for the big game! Use this as your game day checklist:
We suggest choosing one or two cocktails you can batch in advance. Multiply the recipe amounts by the number of drinks you expect to make (and add a few extra to be on the safe side).
This tangy whisky-fueled take on a margarita is simple to make and a massive crowd-pleaser. Salted rim is optional! Combine Pendleton® Whisky Original, fresh lime juice, and your favorite margarita mix, shake it up and you’ve got an instant winner. Get the Rodeo Rita recipe here!
Ask any cowboy—iced tea always goes better with a bit of whisky in the mix! We suggest Pendleton® Whisky 1910 Rye as it spices things up nicely. Get the Spiced Rye Tea recipe here.
Nothing takes the chill off a crisp fall day more than this warm, spicy, sweet, hot concoction. We combine Pendleton® Whisky Original with hot coffee and butterscotch schnapps, finished with whipped cream. Get the Cowboy Coffee recipe here.
Feel free to mix it up or use your favorite Pendleton® Whisky to make it your own. It’s your party, after all!
With the libations out of the way, let’s get to the meat of the matter! Game day food should be flavorful, hearty, satisfying, and, ideally, handheld. Choose one or two (or maybe three) hot items to be the star of the show and a few ready-to-go snacks that people can munch on all day.
Who doesn’t love a good barbeque sauce? Even if you’re not a pro chef, you can elevate your favorite sauce with an infusion of Pendleton® Whisky. Combine a bottle of your favorite sauce with a ½ cup Pendleton® Whisky and marinate your meats for two hours in the fridge before cooking.
One of our hands-down favorites is something our pals at Nexgrill came up with a while back, and we can’t get enough. Try their smoked chicken wings with Pendleton® Whisky sauce, or make the sauce from the recipe and use it on your favorite meat. Trust us – there won’t be any leftovers!
Burgers are a tailgate staple, but they go next level with the right whisky pairing. Pendleton® Whisky Midnight is the perfect foil for the juicy goodness of a mid-rare burger with all the fixings.
Pulled pork is another game day favorite (and another incredible pairing for the sweet richness of Pendleton® Whisky Midnight), and you don’t have to spend all day making it. If you have a slow cooker or pressure cooker, it’s easy to create delectable, melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork. Once done, simply pull the meat apart with two forks and mix it with Pendleton® Whisky BBQ sauce.
Check out more tailgate recipes and ideas here.
BONUS TIP: Order a few bottles and all your accessories in advance so you’re ready to roll. With Pendleton® Whisky as your sidekick, your tailgates will be legendary.
