Amber Dias scopes out why game day cocktails are bowling over guests at your IPL watch parties.
Every day feels like game day now that the IPL is in full swing, making watch parties the ultimate weekend plan for cricket fans. If you can’t make it to the stadium, the next best thing is recreating the thrill — whether it’s at your favorite pub, hosting friends at home, or securing the best spot in front of the biggest screen. And while the action on the pitch is the main event, a lineup of bold, refreshing cocktails can take the experience to the next level. Sure, beer is a classic choice, but cocktails bring variety, flavour, and a touch of creativity to your party — ensuring that every sip is just as exciting as the game itself.
The MVP Of Watch Parties
Why are cocktails becoming the drink of choice for watch parties?
Flavour & Variety: Whether your guests prefer something bold and boozy or light and refreshing, cocktails offer endless customisation. Spicy, sweet, sour, or even smoky — there’s a drink for every palate.
Easy To Batch-Prep: Cricket matches are long, and no one wants to spend the entire time mixing drinks. Batch cocktails, punches, and pitcher drinks allow hosts to prep in advance so they can enjoy the match without interruptions.
Interactive & Engaging: Set up a simple cocktail station with base spirits, mixers, and garnishes. Guests can mix their own drinks, adding a fun and interactive element to the party.
Insta-Worthy: Beautifully garnished cocktails will win over guests who prefer to click before they sip.
A Fun Way To Represent Your Favourite Team: Why not match your drink to your favourite IPL team’s colours? A blue lagoon cocktail for Mumbai Indians, a fiery red sangria for Royal Challengers Bangalore, or a golden whisky sour for Chennai Super Kings — there are endless ways to get creative.
Choose Your Players
The Powerplayer: A refreshing iced tea with a boozy twist is a game-day essential. It’s light enough to sip on throughout the innings without being overwhelming. Mix cooled black tea, dark rum or vodka, lemon juice and honey or simple sugar syrup. Shake over ice and garnish with lemon and fresh mint.
The Spicy Yorker: Jaljeera, with its zesty and spicy flavours, makes for a fantastic base for a savoury cocktail. Perfect for spice lovers. It blends vodka, jaljeera and soda, served over ice with a sprig of mint for garnish.
The Sixer: A pitcher of fruit punch is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. It’s simple to prepare in large batches and keeps the party mood alive. All it takes is rum, orange juice, pineapple juice and grenadine or cranberry juice.
Partners In Taste
No watch party is complete without food and the right cocktail can enhance the flavours of your favourite game-day snacks. Spiked Iced Tea pairs beautifully with crispy pakoras or tandoori chicken, as the citrusy freshness balances out the spice. The Jaljeera Vodka Cooler is a match made for sev puri, pani puri, or spicy kebabs, with the tangy, salty notes cutting through the richness of the food. For those enjoying a Rum-Based Fruit Punch, opt for grilled paneer tikka or barbecue wings, as the smoky and tropical flavours complement each other. If you’re serving something heavier, like a mutton biryani or masala fries, a whisky-based cocktail or a Spiced Mule would make a bold pairing.
Let The Games Begin!
Watch parties are all about camaraderie, cheer, and great moments. With these cocktail recipes and trending ideas, you’ll be ready to host a memorable gathering that rivals the excitement of the stadium. So gather your friends, pour a drink, and raise your glasses to those sixes, wickets, and game-changing moments. May the best cocktail win!
Level up your cocktails:
- Use coloured straws, fruit skewers, or even edible glitter to make drinks festive and photo-ready.
- Freeze fruit juices or add mint leaves to ice cubes for a splash of flavour and colour in every sip.
- Try coloured salt or sugar rims in team colours.
- Design a printed or chalkboard menu listing your IPL-themed cocktails, complete with fun descriptions and team references.
Ideas to celebrate your favourite team:
Mumbai Indians: Blue Lagoon Twist
Chennai Super Kings: Mango Whisky Sour
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Fiery Red Negroni
Rajasthan Royals: Rose & Pomegranate Gin Fizz
Kolkata Knight Riders: Dark Rum Mule
Lucknow Super Giants: Orange Basil Spritz
Sunrisers Hyderabad: Sunset Margarita
Punjab Kings: Red Sangria
Delhi Capitals: Blueberry Gin Tonic
Gujarat Titans: Whisky Ginger Fizz
