Image: Josh McCoy / Visit Oxford
Tailgating in the South is practically its own sport. Long before kickoff, fans flock to the same patch of grass they’ve claimed for years. The atmosphere buzzes with excitement as alumni and students mingle from tent to tent, swapping stories of legendary seasons and fierce rivalries. Sundresses and collared shirts define the unmistakable look of Saturdays in the SEC. Every hand clutches a monogrammed koozie or plastic cup stamped with Greek letters — and more often than not, what’s in those cups is as legendary as the teams themselves.
From Athens to Baton Rouge, gameday drinks are as bold as the school spirit, with flavors that keep the party going long after the first whistle. We’ve rounded up five schools and their signature sips, complete with the lore, flavors, and serving tips that embody the spirit of Southern football traditions.
Yellowhammers | University of Alabama
Named after the state bird, the Yellowhammer cocktail is tropical, citrusy, and boozy. First served in the late ’70s during the Bear Bryant era, the recipe hasn’t changed in decades¹. For nearly 40 years, fans have downed gallons of Yellowhammers on game day.
The drink gained popularity thanks in part to Gallette’s — the dimly lit, sticky-floored dive bar where Yellowhammers are served in their signature yellow plastic tumblers. With a generous five ounces of booze, this tradition is every bit as strong as Alabama football.
Recipe & Serving Tip:
2 oz. vodka
2 oz. white rum
1 oz. amaretto
4 oz. orange juice
6 oz. pineapple juice
Mix all ingredients over ice, strain, and serve in a classic yellow tumbler. To transport your guests to Tuscaloosa, custom order yellow cups with red lettering as an homage to Gallette’s. Sticky floors not included.
Toomer’s Lemonade | Auburn University
Just shy of three hours east, Auburn University carries its own long-standing game-day tradition: Toomer’s Lemonade. Freshly squeezed at Toomer’s Drugstore for over a century², this tart and tangy lemonade has become the beloved base for an easy, refreshing pregame cocktail. Just add your favorite bourbon.
Recipe & Serving Tip:
2 oz. bourbon
4 oz. of freshly squeezed lemonade
Don’t have time to squeeze lemons? Purchase your favorite lemonade from a local grocery or restaurant. This cocktail is a breeze to batch thanks to its simple 2:1 ratio. Mix it up in a punch bowl or large beverage dispenser, then add plenty of fresh lemon slices for a simple, cheerful garnish.
Tiger Smash | Louisiana State University
If anyone knows how to throw a party, it’s Louisiana, and LSU fans bring that same spirit to game day tailgating. The Tiger Smash features Oxbow rum, the official spirit of Tiger Stadium. Oxbow crafts its spirit from sugarcane grown on the banks of the Mississippi³. Paired with blackberry syrup and lemonade, its light fruitiness perfectly offsets the spicy Cajun and Creole dishes LSU fans love.
Recipe & Serving Tip:
2 oz. Oxbow rum
0.5 oz. blackberry syrup
4 oz. lemonade
Shake all ingredients over ice, strain into a highball glass, and garnish with fresh blackberries. You can make your own blackberry syrup by simmering 1 cup blackberries equal parts sugar and water — about 1/2 cup each — over medium heat. Stir until sugar dissolves, then simmer for 10 minutes until thickened. Once cooled, strain through a fine mesh sieve and store in a mason jar in the fridge for up to two weeks.
Hot Toddy | University of Mississippi
No tailgating list would be complete without Ole Miss, and there’s good reason. Shaded by a canopy of magnolia, oak, and elm trees, the Grove’s ten acres transform into a sea of red-and-blue tents filled with everything from pecan pie to chandeliers. Inspired by the school’s cherished “Hotty Toddy” chant, this cozy cocktail is the perfect patio sipper for cooler late-season kickoffs.
Recipe & Serving Tip:
2 oz. pecan infused bourbon
1 oz. fresh lemon juice
0.5 oz. maple syrup
4 oz. hot water
Cinnamon stick for garnish
As an homage to the state’s nut, infuse your bourbon with toasted pecans for a rich, fall flavor. Combine 1 cup of bourbon with 1/2 cup of toasted pecans in a mason jar. Let it steep at room temperature for 3 days, then strain. Combine all ingredients in your favorite mug and enjoy.
Peach Gin Fizz | University of Georgia
Sweet as a Georgia peach, this gin fizz is a light, bubbly tribute to the Bulldogs’ home state. On game day, UGA tailgates overflow with hearty Southern staples like barbecue, pimento cheese, and deviled eggs — delicious, but heavy for a long afternoon in the sun. That’s why we’re leaving the bourbon on the shelf in favor of something brighter. Made with juicy peaches, aromatic gin, and a sparkling topper, the Peach Gin Fizz is the perfect companion for an all-day party.
Recipe & Serving Tip:
2 oz. peach simple syrup
1.5 oz. gin
0.5 oz. lemon juice
2 to 3 oz. sparkling wine
Homemade simple syrups are a great way to utilize overly ripe fruit. Simply dice and simmer a peach with equal parts sugar and water (half a cup each) to make a delicious simple syrup, giving new life to fruit that might otherwise go to waste. Store in a mason jar for up to two weeks in the fridge.
To make the cocktail, shake the peach syrup, gin, and lemon juice over ice. Strain into a chilled glass, then top with sparkling wine. Garnish with a peach slice or lemon twist.
Whether your tailgate is in Athens or your back yard, these signature sips deliver a taste of the South that make every hour feel like game time.
Find more Southern recipes in our family cookbook.
