By Robert Giles

It is all going to plan. Your bracket is made, your favorite team is set to go deep in the tournament, and all your friends are going to be there to watch the best games.

Now, all you have to do is figure out everything else. Don’t fret, that’s what we’re here for!

Here are some simple tricks and guidelines to help keep it in bounds.

Need a new cheese dip recipe? Try this one:

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. Hamburger
• 1 lb. Velveeta
• 1 can diced tomatoes and chilies
• 1 can tomato soup
• 1 box Spanish rice dinner
• 1 package taco seasoning

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the rice dinner according to the directions and set aside.
2. Brown hamburger and add the taco seasoning.
3. Melt the Velveeta and diced tomatoes and chilis in a crockpot.
4. Once melted add in the rice dinner, hamburger, and tomato soup. Stir to combine.
5. Simmer until completely warmed through and serve.

Our Game Day Favorites can give you even more ideas for stocking the fridge with easy to grab drinks. If you want to mix your own cocktails, here are some ideas.

These watch party basics & cocktails will have you well on your way to cheering on your team!

• 1 ½ oz. Rock Town Grapefruit Vodka

• 2 oz. Lemonade

• 2 oz. Ginger Ale

• 1 oz. Cranberry Juice

DIRECTIONS

Combine Rock Town Grapefruit Vodka,

lemonade, and cranberry juice in a

Collins glass. Add ice, stir, and finish with ginger ale.

*Get creative. Don’t just add a celery stick. Add pickled green beans and okra, a crispy slice of bacon, a boiled shrimp or crawfish tail, and a lemon or lime wedge.

Yields 6 Servings. Make ahead and thoroughly chill.

• 3 cups tomato juice (fresh tomatoes recommended)
• 3 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 3 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 Tbsp. horseradish – adjust to taste
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp. celery salt
• 3/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup olive brine
• Tito’s Vodka

DIRECTIONS

Blend together tomato juice, lemon juice, lime juice, horseradish, Lea & Perrins, garlic powder, olive juice and hot sauce and process until smooth. Pour into glass pitcher. Add celery salt and black pepper; adjust to taste. Fill glasses with ice and add vodka – add about an ounce. Top off with your Bloody Mary mixture. Stir. Garnish*.

• 4 oz. Hornitos Blanco or Reposado Tequila
• 2 oz. Cointreau
• 1 Tbsp coarse salt
• 1 ½ oz. fresh lime juice from 2 limes

DIRECTIONS

Run lime wedge around rims of rocks glasses, and then dip the glasses in salt. Set those aside. In a cocktail shaker, combine lime juice, Cointreau, tequila, and ice. Shake ingredients and strain into rocks glasses over fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheels.

Yield: 12 to 14 drinks

• 2 cups silver tequila
• 1 cup orange liqueur
• ½ gallon orange sherbet
• 2 liters ginger ale
• 6 oz. frozen orange juice concentrate
• orange slices for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the orange sherbet and frozen

orange juice concentrate in a large punch bowl and allow them to thaw for about 10 to 15 minutes.

2. Once it has thawed, stir in the ginger

ale, tequila, and orange liqueur. 

3. When serving, garnish the glass with the orange slice.

If you want to fire up the grill and go all out, check out our Grilling With Spirits tips.

If you need more watch party ideas, stop in Colonial and our celebration experts will help you grab just what you need for your party. Cheers!