15 Beer Cocktails for Game Day and Beyond

From Micheladas to Shandies

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 06/12/21
Red Beer Mixed Drink

The Spruce 

Beer-centric cocktails can turn an average game day into a spectacular one—even if your team doesn't bring home the victory. Add these recipes to your line-up and your friends are sure to enjoy the party. None of them are too fancy, so they're great with Super Bowl snacks, for tailgating, or a summer cookout. You'll find a variety of flavors—from savory spice to sweet and tart—and they're all easy to mix up.

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Watch Now: 3 Easy Game-Day Beer Cocktails

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  • 01 of 15

    Edna's Lunchbox

    Edna's Lunchbox Beer Cocktail
    Lumina Images / Getty Images

    Edna's Lunchbox gives citrus beer a whole new meaning! It's easy to mix up, too, calling for equal parts beer and orange juice with a shot of amaretto. Don't say no until you've tried it! The end result will surprise everyone...in a good way!

  • 02 of 15

    Michelada

    Michelada Mexican Beer Cocktail

    Westend61 / Getty Images 

    The michelada is a game day classic. This spiced up beer cocktail is filled with savory ingredients, including soy, Worcestershire, and hot chili sauces. For the best drink, be sure to pour a dark Mexican beer that's ice-cold.

  • 03 of 15

    Beergaritas

    Beergarita

    The Spruce

    There's no need to choose between a margarita and beer with this recipe. Beergaritas are a ton of fun and a great excuse to fire up the blender during the commercial breaks. Just grab your favorite tequila and Mexican beer, add some limeade and ice, and give it a whirl!

  • 04 of 15

    Mexican Michelada Bloody Mary

    Mexican Michelada Bloody Mary

    Leah Maroney 

    As you might expect, the Mexican michelada bloody Mary has everything that's great about those two classic drinks. It combines tomato and lime juices, includes a long shot of tequila, a tall pour of beer, and a spicy kick. Better yet, it serves two, so that's less mixing for you.

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  • 05 of 15

    Guinness & Green Jelly Shot

    Guinness & Green Jell-O Shots

    S&C Design Studios

    Cheer on your team while enjoying a round or two of beer-flavored jello shots. The Guinness and Green shooters are a funky twist on the jiggly party favorite, layering a green Irish cream gelatin on top of one flavored with the famous stout. They really are as fun to make as they are to eat.

  • 06 of 15

    Red Beer

    Red Beer Mixed Drink

    The Spruce 

    For a morning game on a cold day, few drinks can beat red beer. It's the bloody Mary for beer drinkers, but so much easier to prep. All you need is your favorite beer and a couple ounces of tomato juice. Finish it off with a pinch of salt and enjoy.

  • 07 of 15

    Chelada

    Chelada Cocktails

    John E. Kelly / Getty Images

    Also incredibly easy, the chelada is perfect for anyone who doesn't like spice and isn't in the mood for tomato juice. It simply dresses up a light lager with a lime juice and serves the drink over ice. Simple and fantastic.

  • 08 of 15

    Raspberry Snakebite

    Raspberry Snakebite - Vanilla Porter, Hard Cider, and Fresh Raspberry Beertail
    ekash / Getty Images

    You're just three ingredients away from a cocktail that makes a vanilla porter even more delicious. In the Raspberry Snakebite, hard apple cider and raspberry juice dress up a dark beer with a perfect fruit medley that's surprisingly tasty.

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  • 09 of 15

    Black and Blue

    Black and Blue Beer Mixed Drink
    Lew Robertson / StockFood Creative / Getty Images

    When you want to show off your bartending skills, make a black and blue. The trick to this popular bar drink is to slowly pour the Guinness over the back of a spoon so you get a perfect layer. Luckily, if you stick with Blue Moon as the bottom beer, the result is always flawless.

  • 10 of 15

    Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue Cocktail

    Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue Cocktail by Tom Fischer and Steven Dennison
    Carin Krasner/Stockbyte/Getty Images

    The word "unique" only begins to describe this beer drink. It's true, though, that the Beer, Bourbon, and Barbecue has BBQ sauce, but it's rather tasty, and definitely a cocktail worth trying.

  • 11 of 15

    Trojan Horse

    Trojan Horse - mixing with stout beer
    =. Vstock LLC / Getty Images

    Got Guinness and cola in the fridge? Then you have the makings for a Trojan Horse! It's a great way to give new life to the dark stout and also an incredibly easy beverage to mix up. Since each ingredient requires half a pint, make two at one time. After all, no one likes to waste beer!

  • 12 of 15

    Clara Beer

    Clara Beer - Spanish Beer Mixed Drink

    Rita Maas / Getty Images

    Essentially a shandy made with Spanish beer, the Clara is both familiar and somewhat new. This recipe uses equal parts beer and lemonade, giving it a nice balance and a refreshing taste. It makes two drinks and is best when served in frosty mugs.

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  • 13 of 15

    Corrido Prohibidos

    Corrido Prohibidos Tequila and Mexican Beer Mixed Drink Recipe
    Maryellen Baker/Photolibrary/Getty Images

    When you can't decide between tequila and beer, go ahead and mix the two together for a Corrido Prohibidos. This simple drink is perfect for tailgating because you only need two ingredients. Of course, the salt rim does make it a little better, but it's not required.

  • 14 of 15

    Twist and Shout

    Hard Rock Cafe's Twist & Shout Cocktail
    Hard Rock Cafe

    There may be times when you want to go all out on the beer cocktails and get your chocolate fix simultaneously. That's when you'll want to try the Hard Rock Cafe's Twist and Shout. A type of chocolate Guinness and spiced rum milkshake with a salted caramel twist, this cocktail is utterly delicious!

  • 15 of 15

    Boilermaker

    Boilermaker Shot Drink
    Jeff Kauck / Photolibrary / Getty Images

    Not technically a cocktail, a Boilermaker is still a great game-day beverage. It has been enjoyed by millions of fans in thousands of sports bars for decades. Pour one for yourself and you're sure to discover why it's perfect for moments like this.