How to Host the Perfect Home Game: What to Drink

You’ve got the cards, chips, and table all set – now what? You can toss a case of Busch tallboys in an Igloo, or you can put a little thought into what you drink. Take it from me: A bad beat goes down much easier if you chase it with a shot of high-grade Bourbon.

Here are three suggestions on what to serve your crew, depending on the stakes of your game.

Blue Collar

When beer is on the menu, Busch or Bud will work well enough, but even the most casual of players are likely to appreciate a little extra thoughts. Check out Guinness Black Lager – a new brand from Guinness that is black as coffee but drinks like a traditional lager. $8.50 per six-pack.

Casual

One of the best values in the spirits world today is Bourbon and other U.S. whiskeys, and you can find an awful lot of great American whiskeys on the market without having to spend a whole lot of money. Try Evan Williams Single Barrel 2002 or Big Bottom Port Cask Finished Whiskey, both of which are available for $30 a bottle or less. Of course, if you’re ever worried the bottles will offend, you can always pour the whiskey into a crystal decanter and tell everyone it’s Pappy Van Winkle.

High Stakes

It’s not cheating to get your opponents stinking drunk before the game ever starts, and the best way to do that is by serving a delicious, high-end cocktail that goes down easy (but is manly enough to invite continued consumption). This original cocktail drinks like a martini but adds a touch of sweetness so your victims, er, guests, never know what hit them. You can make these bad boys a pitcher at a time (just multiply all proportions by 8) so you can have refills at the ready:

Drinkhacker’s Big Blind Cocktail

1 oz vodka1 oz gin¼ oz dry vermouth¼ oz St. Germain elderflower liqueur2 dashes orange bitters 

Shake all ingredients with ice and strain into a cocktail glass.

Upcoming articles on How to Host the Perfect Poker Home Game:

Part 1: Equipment Part 2: Hand Rankings Part 3: How to Play Part 4: How to Set Up Part 5: What to Drink Part 6: What to Eat Part 7: Who to Invite Part 8: Etiquette Part 9: How to Beat your Friends Part 10: Cheaters Part 11: More Games, More Gamble Part 12: Odds and Exceptions Part 13: Which Hand Wins Calculator

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