Super Bowl Pour Decisions−Margaritas and More!
If you’re looking for something beyond beer, wine, or seltzers for Super Bowl Sunday, look no further!
My Elf on My Liquor Shelf (aka my daughter) and I tried three new margarita recipes in anticipation of the Super Bowl.
It had to be done. We’re not sorry. And it was fun.
But, because we know not everyone is a fan of a margarita, we also rounded up some of our favorite cocktails from previous testing.
Now, all you need to do is pick your favorite one (or three–we won’t tell), sit back and watch the Chief and Bucs fight for the Lombardi Trophy.
Ranking the Ritas
As we did in our Fall into a Trio of Margaritas post (where you’ll find even MORE margarita options), my daughter and I ranked these margaritas prior to testing them and again after sampling them. It’s interesting how our rankings changed. Keep reading to find out more.
Strawberry Margarita
Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita
Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita
Simple to Make−Strawberry Margarita
Get the recipe from: Miss in the Kitchen
Looking for a simple strawberry margarita that matches the color of either the Kansas City Chiefs or the Tampa Bay Bucs?
Milisa’s simple recipe will become your go-to strawberry margarita standard.
This can be made in less than 5 minutes–which is perfect if you need a quick refill during the game!
Four things to know about the Strawberry Margarita recipe:
- The serving size for the recipe is 2 drinks. If you want to make a large batch, do some simple math and upsize your party. You can probably triple the recipe in one blender batch. Store the unused portion in the fridge.
- I used frozen strawberries. Despite having just returned from the grocery store to buy limes and grapefruit for the other margarita recipes, I failed to buy fresh strawberries, so I used the ones we had in the freezer. This works perfectly well–you just get a frozen margarita. If you only have frozen strawberries and don’t want it frozen, blend up a batch and let them sit out for a bit.
- I didn’t have any simple syrup on hand so I substituted agave nectar. This doesn’t change the flavor of the margarita, so don’t be afraid to use what you have. If you want to make simple syrup, just put equal parts sugar and water (i.e., 1/2 C sugar and 1/2 C water) into a saucepan over medium heat and cook to a low boil. Stir to ensure all the sugar has dissolved. Let the mixture cool completely before using.
- This recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make. That makes it optimal for game day!
If you’re timid about trying new flavors and just wanted to stick to something you know you like, you won’t be disappointed in this strawberry margarita!
Easy to Elevate−Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita
Get the recipe from: Sidewalk Shoes
I love a good margarita. And I love blackberries. I’m accepting of jalapeno in small amounts.
So, this margarita sounded very intriguing indeed.
What could go wrong?
Well, keep reading…
Five things to know about the Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita recipe:
- The serving size for this recipe is 1 drink. I simply doubled the quantities of the ingredients to prepare two margaritas.
- WOW, was this margarita tequila forward. So much so that I didn’t feel like I could give it a fair review until I made it again with less tequila. The tequila overtook the original cocktail and I couldn’t taste either the blackberry or the jalapeno. The second batch, in which I halved the amount of tequila, provided a much more balanced cocktail in my opinion.
- I used Gran Gala in place of the Cointreau. While this isn’t an exact substitution, it’s very close. Sometimes you have to use what’s in your liquor cabinet!
- I substituted agave nectar for the simple syrup. This doesn’t change the flavor of the margarita, so don’t be afraid to use what you have. If you want to make simple syrup, just put equal parts sugar and water (i.e., 1/2 C sugar and 1/2 C water) into a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar is completely dissolved. Let the mixture cool before using.
- If you’re making simple syrup for this margarita, you can infuse it with the blackberries for a stronger blackberry flavor. Just heat the sugar and water over medium-high heat and cook to a low boil. Stir to ensure all the sugar has dissolved. Next, mash the blackberries in the syrup and allow the mixture to steep for about 30 minutes. Voila! Blackberry simple syrup.
The Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita ranks up there as one of the prettiest margaritas I’ve ever made or had.
Made to Impress−Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita
Get the recipe from: As Easy as Pie
Once again my margarita testing partner-in-crime declared, “I won’t like that. I don’t like grapefruit or jalapeno.”
However, she knows the drill. She’s going to take one for team and try all the margaritas I make.
What did she think of this margarita?
Check out our Ranking the Ritas tab for the shocking results.
Four things to know about the Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita recipe:
- The serving size for this recipe is 2 drinks. You can easily double this recipe if you want to have some margarita reserves.
- The recipe indicates either simple syrup or agave nectar and I used the nectar. Either one will work well for this margarita.
- You need to let the jalapeno slices sit in the tequila for at least 25 minutes to allow them to infuse into the liquor. This gives the margarita a subtle but obvious jalapeno flavor. And, yes, I know that sounds contradictory, but you know you’re getting jalapeno flavor but not in an overwhelming way.
- The chili lime salt is a MUST! Don’t skip this step. While it may sound like an aggressive salt for the rim of a margarita, it adds a smoky flavor you didn’t know you wanted.
If you want to seriously impress your family and friends, this Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita is the ticket!
Ranking the Ritas
So, I said we ranked these margaritas. We did. We ranked them before and after we tasted them. The before rankings reflect what we thought we would like best based on the ingredients.
My pre-sampling ranking: 1. Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita; 2. Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita; 3. Strawberry Margarita (only because it’s a standard margarita flavor).
My daughter’s pre-sampling ranking: 1. Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita; 2. Strawberry Margarita. 3. Another one of the Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry or Strawberry Margaritas, but definitely not the Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita as she “doesn’t like grapefruit or jalapeno.”
What did we think after sampling all three margaritas?
The Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita was by far our favorite!
To quote my daughter, “That’s everything I hate and I love it!” I think that says it all.
And…that’s why she’s required to try all the things I make. You never know what you’ll like!
My post-sampling ranking: 1. Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita. 2. Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita. 3. Strawberry Margarita (again, only because it’s a standard margarita flavor).
My daughter’s post-sampling ranking: 1 Spicy Grapefruit Jalapeno Margarita 2. Strawberry Margarita 3. Spicy Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita.
How will you rank them?
Not a Margarita Fan? Not a problem!
If you’re looking for something other than a margarita to sip on Super Bowl Sunday, we’ve got you covered.
Scroll down for a few vodka cocktails, new takes on the classic Moscow Mule, and fun with a bit of the bubbly. You’re sure to find something to quench your thirst.
Vodka-Based Cocktails
Tipsy Spritzer
This big-batch cocktail comes together quickly and can be made ahead and stored in the fridge. Well, at least you can plan it that way. We’re not sure it will last until game day if you make it ahead.
Cran-Peary Vodka
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tito’s Vodka
- 1 oz Mathilde Poire Liqueur
- 2 oz Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice
- ½ oz lime juice
- Splash of Club Soda
- 1/8 C. Sugar for rimming your cocktail glass
- Lime and cranberries for garnish
Directions
- Prep your cocktail glass by placing a small amount of water on one plate and the sugar on another plate.
- Dip the rim of your glass in the water and then in the sugar. Make sure the entire rim is covered in sugar.
- Add ice to the glass.
- In a cocktail shaker, mix the Tito’s Vodka, Mathilde Poire Liqueur, Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice, and lime juice. Add ice and shake for 30 seconds. Strain into your glass.
- Top with a splash of club soda.
- Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim and cranberries in the drink
Updated Takes on the Moscow Mule
If you’re a fan of Moscow Mules, it’s time to shake up your game.
I did a liquor shelf mash-up over the holidays to see what new concoctions I could come up with that would use up some of the more unique liqueurs I had on hand.
A tall, slender, elegant bottle of elderflower liqueur stared at me, begging to be used. I created my own Elderflower Mule which my daughter loved. Below that recipe are several other simple variations to this classic cocktail.
Elderflower Mule
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
- 2 oz Tito’s Vodka
- ½ oz St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
- ½ oz lime juice
- 6 oz Ginger Beer or Canada Dry Bold Ginger Ale
- Lime wedges for garnish
Directions
- Add the Tito’s Vodka, St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur and lime just to a mule mug.
- Stir well then add ice.
- Top with ginger beer or Canada Dry Bold Ginger Ale
- Garnish with a lime wedge.
Moscow Mule Variations
You can easily switch up the flavor profile of your Moscow Mule by swapping out the vodka for your favorite liquor. Here are just a few ideas:
Mexican Mule: If you’re looking for a south-of-the-border flavor, try using tequila as the base liquor for your mule.
Kentucky Mule: Whiskey or bourbon more your thing? Don’t be afraid to use your favorite whiskey or bourbon in your next mule. In fact, you might want to stash that idea away for the first Saturday in May and the running of the Kentucky Derby.
Gin Mule: This is an interesting variant in that if you include mint, it becomes a mule-mojito mashup. For a straight gin mule, just omit the mint.
Kicking Mule: If you like spice, take a few slices of jalapeno and muddle them in a glass with some mint and lime juice, then proceed with your normal mule preparation. You can give this one as much kick as you like with the amount of jalapeno you add. And don’t forget to garnish with a few jalapeno slices!
Fruity Mules: It’s super simple to change the flavor of you mule with your favorite fruit. You can either muddle fresh strawberries, blackberries, pineapple, peach, blueberries, blood orange, mango or any other fruit with mint and lime juice and add to your mule, or you can use pineapple, pomegranate, cranberry, or orange juice as part of your preparation. Try your favorite fruit combination–orange/cranberry, pomegranate/blood orange, etc. The possibilities are limitless. Be creative!
Prosecco Pick-Me-Ups
Looking for a bit of the bubbly? But want more than just a plain glass of the good stuff?
Look no further! Below are a few simple ways to up your Prosecco game.
Elderflower Pear Prosecco
After updating the Moscow Mule with elderflower liqueur, I decided to update my Prosecco pairing with this lovely liqueur. I also had some pear liqueur on my liquor shelf and thought the combination would be quiet lovely.
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
- ½ oz St. Germaine Elderflower Liqueur
- ½ oz Mathilde Poire Liqueur
- 6-8 oz La Marca Prosecco
- Pear slices for garnish
Directions
- Pour the St. Germaine Elderflower and Mathilde Poire liqueurs into your Prosecco glass.
- Add the La Marca Prosecco.
- Garnish with pear slices.
Pom Pear Prosecco
Makes 1 drink
Ingredients
- ½ oz Mathilde Poire Liqueur
- ½ oz Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice
- 6-8 oz La Marca Prosecco
- Pomegranate arils and pear slices for garnish
Directions
- Pour the Mathilde Poire Liqueur and Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice into your Prosecco glass.
- Add the La Marca Prosecco.
- Garnish with pomegranate arils and a pear slice.
Note: You could substitute Ocean Spray cranberry juice for the Pom Wonderful pomegranate juice and use cranberries as garnish.
