Tailgate with an Orange Cervezarita

It’s September, and you know what that means! College and pro football and baseball are all in full swing. When it comes to game day, I can’t think of a better way to tailgate than with a super fun beer cocktail.The inspiration for this particular cocktail comes from the margarita, the most famous tequila-based drink in the world and one of my favorites to drink during football season. Preparing a margarita with beer adds desirable effervescence and imparts its own unique flavor.

Since the traditional margarita calls for orange liqueur, in this innovative twist I chose to use Belgian Witbier: a light, fruity and slightly spicy style of beer brewed with wheat and flavored with coriander and orange peel. To further complement the orange flavors in both the beer and the liqueur, I used fresh-squeezed orange juice as the main citrus component in this cocktail.

This particular preparation is served up (martini-style), but also works really well on the rocks. Naturally, this drink pairs extremely well with a variety of south-of-the-border inspired appetizers and snacks!

Orange Cervezarita

Ingredients (Makes one cocktail)

• 1 1/2 ounces Blanco or silver tequila

• 1 ounce orange liqueur

• 1/2 ounce fresh orange juice

• 1/4 ounce fresh lime juice

• 1/4 ounce agave nectar

• 3 to 4 ounces Belgian Witbier (like Blue Moon or St. Cloud White)

Instructions

Martini version: Combine all ingredients except the beer in a shaker with ice. Shake vigorously and strain into a margarita or martini glass (salted rim optional). Top with 2 to 3 ounces of beer and garnish with a citrus peel.  

Rocks version: Fill a rocks or margarita glass 3/4 with ice (salted rim optional). Add all ingredients except for beer. Transfer to a shaker and shake lightly for 2 or 3 seconds and pour ingredients back into the glass, including the ice. Top with 3 to 4 ounces of beer and garnish with a citrus peel.

Recommended Recipe Pairings:

• Chipotle Mushroom and Goat Cheese Queso opens in a new tab

• Mango-Black Bean Salsa opens in a new tab

• Black and Blue Veggie Nachos opens in a new tab

• Quick and Easy Pineapple Pork Tacos opens in a new tab

So, now that you’ve got a fun and fizzy cocktail for fall game days, tell me – who are you rooting for this season, and what will you be drinking to celebrate?