Popular Cocktails for a Gaming Night

This post was written in collaboration with OPTIMUM4

Game nights have been popular for many years, as they’re a great way to get together socially. They’re easy, inexpensive and provide a chance to indulge in something fun.

Playing games doesn’t stop when you reach adulthood, and people enjoy:

• Video games (Assassin’s Creed, Final Fantasy)
• Board games (Monopoly, Risk, Articulate)
• Card games (Poker, Blackjack)

It provides an opportunity for people to unwind and relax. It also creates conversations, which is a bonus for shy people or those who don’t know each other well.

Games are also good for your health. Several studies have shown that gaming improves your cognitive abilities and reduces stress.

Now you don’t even need to own a game to play it. Your group can log onto a casino site such as Megaways Casino and play to your heart’s content.

For food and drinks, game night is easier than a dinner party, a variety of snacks keep people satisfied. Think:

• Chips and dips
• Nuts
• Popcorn
• Pretzels
• Veggie platter – carrots, celery, cucumber
• Cheese and crackers

With drinks, it’s nice to mix it up a bit. Even if you’re not a professional a few cocktails will make your games night a winner.

1. Tom Collins

A staple in casinos around the world, beloved by Jack Nicholson, this is a refreshing drink that’s easy to make. It’s especially fun if there’s a person named Tom in your group!

• Get a tall/long glass and fill with ice cubes
• Add 50 ml gin, 25 ml lemon juice and 10 ml sugar syrup to the glass
• Stir to combine the ingredients
• Top up with soda water
• Pop a wedge of lemon on top as a garnish

A Tom Collins can reenergise you when you’re feeling tired. The sharp lemon tang gives you a boost.

• Monte Carlo Imperial

Named after the tiny city with the grandest casinos, this is a simple cocktail sure to delight.

• Pour one measure of crème de menthe into a highball glass
• Add a dash of lemon juice
• Top up with Champagne

It’s green, glamourous and ideal for rolling the dice.

• Lando Calrissian Sabacc Poker Face Cocktail

If you have Star Trek fans in the house, this will be a great hit. Lando and Hans Solo play Sabacc to win the Millennium Falcon.

How to make this interstellar concoction:

• Put a dab of blue food colouring in margarita salt
• Line a glass rim with the blue salt
• Measure 40 ml of tequila, 20 ml of Cointreau and 100 ml of pineapple juice
• Stir together for a few moments
• Pour over ice and garnish with a lime

If you want, you can add a little black cape to your glass for dramatic effect.

• Old Fashioned

When you’re playing Monopoly, Game of Life or one of those old favourites, choose a cocktail to match. It’s not old, it’s established.

• Take a lowball glass and add 5ml sugar syrup
• Add two dashes of Angostura Bitters
• Stir until well mixed
• Pop a large ice cube or several smaller ones in the glass
• Pour in 60 ml of bourbon or rye whiskey
• Squeeze an orange twist over the glass and use as a garnish

A smooth drink that will ease you into the game gently.

• Black Cat

In some cultures, black cats are considered lucky. On games night, luck always comes in handy so mix up this creation and everyone will appreciate it.

• Mix 60 ml Kirsch, 30 ml vodka and a dash of grenadine in a shaker
• Shake vigorously and pour into a highball glass
• Top up with cola

This is a drink to present when the chips are down.

• Blue Martini

If you want an exotic ambiance at your games night, this cocktail will add some colour. It’s also low carb so for anyone watching their calories, it will hit the spot.

• Fill a martini glass with ice cubes to chill
• Add 60 ml vodka, 30 ml blue curacao and a dash of lemon to a shaker
• Shake for around 20 seconds
• Pour the mixture into the glass
• Garnish with a twist of lemon

This cocktail is great for games night al fresco or in the summer.

• Gloom Chaser

Some people get gloomy when they’re losing. This drink is a sure-fire way to give them a pick-up.

• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
• Add 45 ml vodka, 30 ml fresh lemon juice and 15 ml of honey syrup (1 part honey/1 part water)
• Shake for 10 – 15 seconds
• Strain into a tall glass filled with ice
• Top up with ginger beer
• Stir to mix everything together

It’s light, refreshing and tangy so it will give you a pep in your game. The ginger beer will settle your stomach if you’re feeling nervous about your hand or the cards.

A refreshing night of fun When you serve up this selection, there’s a cocktail to please everyone. From fruity to boozy, you will win on the drinks front and provide a fantastic night