Sporked’s Guide to the Best Drinks for Your March Madness Party

Madness is upon us. What’s new? Well, it’s the fun kind of madness for once–March Madness! March Madness (aka the NCAA tournament of college basketball) kicks off on March 18 and, trust me, you don’t want to miss it. Whether you’re a sports fan or not, I recommend you accept the invitation to your most fanatic friend’s March Madness party and go simply for the vibes. I can guarantee that even if you’re not entertained by what’s happening on the TV (which you probably will be), you’ll at least be entertained by your friends’ completely insane reactions to it. All you need to do is show up with some enthusiasm (a pack of drinks) and you’ll be in for a treat. Lucky for you, I’ve compiled a list of the best March Madness bevs to bring to this year’s watch parties. Time to go mad!

Best BuzzBallz

If you have a BuzzBall in your hand, chances are you’re either totally unhinged or trying to get there, but there’s a reason this tournament is called March Madness. The orange flavors even look like little basketballs. In fact, this actually might be the only appropriate time to drink BuzzBallz. Just don’t throw them, please, it’s not that serious. 

Best Barefoot Wines

I know wine isn’t the cliche sports fan’s drink of choice, but this is college sports, so it’s only right that you have the college classics. If your team wins, pop some Barefoot Bubbly like the good ‘ol days. If your team loses, crack open the convenient screw top of Barefoot Savvy B and sulk in March Sadness until the urge to plot revenge on the winning team drifts away…

Best Beer

Alright, fine. I’ll give you the true game-day classics. I do actually believe that every sports party should have a few beer options in the cooler, despite my above efforts to flip the script. Here’s a list of the best beers you can find at the grocery store in every category of brew.

Best Non-Alcoholic Beer

Drinking non-alcoholic beer is a lot like watching sports. You get to experience the excitement of the activity without actually participating or dealing with any true consequences of the activity. It’s a win-win, and that’s what you need in March. 

Best Hard Lemonade

Hard Lemonade is like the Gatorade of alcohol. It’s refreshing, it’s a fun color, it’s sweet, and, personally, I need a hefty serving to get through a basketball game. My suggestion is you pour these hard lemonades into those green Gatorade squeezy bottles (the ones that players get when they’re benched) and take a sip every time the camera cuts to a player shaking their head in disappointment and squirting electrolytes into their mouth from distance. 

Best Hard Seltzer

Hard seltzers are must-have bevs at any March Madness party. They’re crisp, easy to drink, and most importantly, easy to pair with a million different appetizers.