2018 World Cup watch party cocktails

So the U.S. failed to make the World Cup, but you are still powering through and trying to be a seasoned and cool international soccer fan? Or you are disgusted by the failure of the U.S. team to qualify – a loss to Trinidad and Tobago sealed our fate??!!  – and just need a stiff drink? Either way, we at Inside Tailgating have got you covered.

We’ve discovered some great cocktail ideas for your watch parties (or your “parties for one”) at the all-things-soccer website based in Boulder, CO called www.the18.com. The folks there created a list of suggested cocktails for each of the 32 countries represented in the 2018 World Cup. They also threw out a Bloody Mary recipe on the list on behalf of the U.S. because they wanted to give the local folks something to call their own. The recipe was a fitting choice, and not just because we’re watching games live here in the morning!

The World Cup is still in group play but the Round of 16 begins next Saturday, June 30. Since we don’t have a dog in the fight, we’ll just share a couple of the www.the18.com’s cocktails for the host country of Russia.

Bottoms up!

White Russian

• 1 oz coffee cream
• 1 oz vodka
• ¾ oz cream
• Ice cubes

Instructions: Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass and sprinkle some coffee powder on top for garnish. Wearing a robe is optional but highly encouraged.

Moscow Mule

• 1 ¼ oz vodka
• 3 oz ginger beer
• 1 tsp sugar syrup
• ¼ oz lime juice
• Ice cubes

Instructions: Pour vodka over ice into a copper mug. Add sugar syrup and lime juice. Top with ginger beer and stir. Garnish with mint sprig and a slice of lime.