Super Bowl Party Essentials: Beer, Wine & Cocktails for Game Day

Super Bowl Sunday brings everyone together.

Friends crowding around the TV, snacks covering every surface, drinks flowing from kickoff to the final whistle. But there’s a difference between a party people remember and one where you're stuck scrambling. 

Planning your beverages right. 

Beverage Quantities

Nothing kills the game day vibe faster than running out of drinks before halftime. Here’s a simple formula that takes the guesswork out of stocking your party:

The Two-Plus-One Rule

The unofficial rule of thumb for serving any alcohol at a party: two drinks per person for the first hour, then one drink per person each additional hour. From there, it's just math.

Here's how it works:

• Count your guests
• Estimate party length (most Super Bowl parties run about 4 hours)
• Calculate: (2 drinks × guests) + (remaining hours × guests)

Example calculation:

• 10 guests expected
• Party lasting 4 hours
• Total needed: 50 twelve-ounce servings (two cases plus a six-pack)

Smart Shopping Strategy

Divide your guest list into thirds and plan accordingly with a range of beer, wine, and cocktails. This gives everyone options without overbuying any single category.

Stock your coolers with:

• Beer: Plenty of ice-cold options (keep coolers filled so your fridge stays free for food)
• Wine: Both reds and whites based on your menu (more on pairings below)
• Spirits: Ingredients for one or two signature batch cocktails
• Non-alcoholic options: Stock just as much water and soda as you do alcohol

Wine Pairings for Classic Game Day Foods

Choosing the right wine always starts with what's on the plate, and game day classics pair beautifully with the right bottles.

Chips, Dips & Appetizers

Salty snacks love sparkling wines. The bubbles and acidity cut through rich, salty flavors while cleansing your palate between bites.

Perfect pairings:

• Potato chips and pretzels: Champagne or sparkling wine (try Lete Vautrain Champagne)
• Nachos and hot dips: Sparkling Brut Rosé like Louis Bouillot
• Guacamole: Pinot Grigio such as La Gondola
• Cheese dips: Just about any wine works beautifully with melted cheese

Wings

The sauce determines your wine choice, not the chicken itself.

• Sweet or mild wings: Dry wines complement sweeter sauces
• Medium heat wings: Bright Sauvignon Blanc with tropical fruit notes
• Hot wings: Dry Riesling like Thanisch, or a gutsy Malbec that bites back

Hearty Main Courses

Game day often means comfort food that needs wines with enough body to match.

• Chili: Malbec or Cabernet from Argentina or Chile (Aguaribay Malbec handles everything from mild to spicy)
• Pizza: Classic Chianti or a Bordeaux with its intense red color and silky finish
• Burgers and ribs: Bold reds that can stand up to char and smoke

Easy Batch Cocktails for Crowds

Batch cocktails keep you out of bartender duty and in front of the game. Mix these ahead so you can enjoy the party.

Bloody Mary Bar

The breakfast drink of champions. Set up a self-serve station with Farrell Reserve Vodka and all the fixings: hot sauce, Worcestershire, celery, olives, pickles, and whatever else your crowd loves. Mix the base ahead, then let guests customize their own.

Classic Margaritas

Skip the premix and make the real deal with three simple ingredients: Vizon Blanco or Reposado Tequila, orange cordial (Triple Sec or Cointreau), and fresh lime juice. Mix 2 oz tequila, 1 oz orange cordial, and 1 oz fresh lime juice per serving. Multiply by your guest count, shake with ice, and serve in salt-rimmed glasses.

Minnesota Bootleg Cocktails

This Minnesota favorite sits somewhere between spiked lemonade and a mojito. Muddle fresh lemon juice, lime juice, honey, and mint in a pitcher. Fill glasses with ice and add equal parts of your mix, club soda, and Farrell Reserve Vodka. It's refreshing, crowd-pleasing, and yes, it works even when it's freezing outside.

Don't Forget Non-Drinkers

Set up a Virgin Bloody Mary bar with the same fixings as the alcoholic version—tomato juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire, celery, pickles, olives. Or mix up a sparkling citrus cooler with fresh lemon and lime juice, honey, and mint topped with sparkling water. Give mocktails the same garnish treatment as cocktails so everyone at your party has something special.

Game Day Hosting Tips

• Ice is everything. Better to have too much than run out by halftime. Fill an extra cooler as backup and consider freezing water bottles to use as ice packs.
• Use delivery. We've been delivering for more than 80 years. Let us handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on food and setup.
• Ask for help. We can help you pick exactly what you need for your party size and menu.
• Stock non-alcoholic options. Have just as much water and soda available as you do alcohol. Staying hydrated keeps everyone enjoying the game.

If you're rooting for the home team or just in it for the commercials, these beverage strategies will help you pull off a Super Bowl party that people will remember. And by having enough of the right drinks so everyone's happy, you're not stuck playing bartender during the big plays.

Cheers!