Non-Alcoholic, Big Batch Drinks For Game Day

Ensure that every person at your tailgate can enjoy a homemade drink.

Homemade Cherry Limeade
Photo: Southern Living

For many Southerners, there's not a fall or a winter—there's only football season. We take our football seriously, so we don't mess around when it comes to putting out an amazing tailgating spread each weekend. These non-alcoholic drink recipes ensure that every person at your tailgate, from old to young, can enjoy a homemade drink. From cool, refreshing sips for hot gamedays, to warm apple cider for chilly winter games, these non-alcoholic beverages will be great to have on rotation all season long. Whether you crave traditional sweet tea or want to mix it up with Lemon Mint Sparklers, these non-alcoholic tailgate drink recipes will fit the bill. If you're planning a tailgate with guests young and old, every tailgater can enjoy these non-alcoholic drinks. These non-alcoholic drink recipes are the best tailgating drinks for a crowd of all ages.

01 of 10

Classic Sweet Tea

Classic Sweet Tea
Alison Miksch

There isn’t a tailgate in the South that doesn’t have a pitcher of sweet tea on hand. The trick to our Sweet Tea is a little bit of baking soda to make it super clear.

02 of 10

Ginger-Orange Mocktails

Ginger-Orange Mocktails
Jennifer Davick; Styling: Amy Burke

For those early 11 a.m. kickoffs, start your day with this refreshing orange juice-based drink. It comes together all in one step.

03 of 10

Berry Splash

Berry Splash
Beth Dreiling Hontzas

Cool off with this cranberry-juice drink that kids and adults will love. Stir in as much sugar as you would like to make sure it tastes just right.

04 of 10

Homemade Cherry Limeade

Homemade Cherry Limeade
Southern Living

Don’t prep this one too far in advance or it will go flat. This fun drink reminds us of summer, so serve it for gamedays while it’s still hot out.

05 of 10

Minty Lemonade Iced Tea

Lemonade Iced Tea
Jennifer Davick

This Arnold Palmer-inspired drink will refresh every tailgate guest before a middle-of-the-day kickoff. Fresh mint leaves make this bright and fresh.

06 of 10

Lemon Mint Sparklers

Lemon Mint Sparklers
Hector Sanchez

Fresh lemon slices and mint sprigs make for pretty presentation with this drink recipe. To spike these sparklers, omit the lemon juice and stir in some bourbon.

07 of 10

Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea

Blueberry-Lemon Iced Tea
Photo: Van Chaplin

This simple recipe adds a fruity twist to classic iced tea. Since it uses frozen blueberries, not fresh, you can make it anytime.

08 of 10

Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea

Strawberry-Basil Sweet Tea
Johnny Autry; Food and Prop Styling: Charlotte L. Autry

Give your sweet tea a fun, fruity surprise! Make this drink up to 24 hours in advance.

09 of 10

Shirley Temple Drink

Southern Living Shirley Temple finished drink in a glass

Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Ruth Blackburn; Prop Stylist: Caleb Clarke

Make the tailgate a special occasion for even the youngest of guests. Extra maraschino cherries make it feel special.

10 of 10

Peach Lemonade

Southern Living Peach Lemonade in a glass to serve with ice and a peach slice

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Quench your thirst in the most delicious way possible with Peach Lemonade. It's perfect for the start of the season.

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