The NBA Finals Cocktail Guide: What to Sip While the Championship Is on the Line
Whether you’re a San Antonio Spurs fan or a New York Knicks fan, it’s safe to say this year’s NBA Finals have everyone on the edge of their seats. For both teams, the championship holds great significance: for the Knicks, it would mean a first win since 1973 and a third title overall, while the Spurs could win their sixth title and once again defeat a New York team, as they did in 1999. Regardless of who you want to take the win, as the anticipation builds, what better way to ease the tension than with these cocktails?
This list has it all—for rum or tequila lovers, or even those who just want to focus on the game with a drink and not worry about mixing anything. You can get a fizzy fix with 196 Vodka Seltzer or enjoy a neat pour of Zacapa. If you’re hosting watch parties for the games and need inspiration for what beverages to serve, we’ve got you covered and will make yours the go-to home for sports watch parties, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
These recipes will have you proudly cheering and rooting for your favorites, but they’re also made to be enjoyed beyond the games. With the summer season almost upon us, how can you not have your favorite cocktail in hand while enjoying the warm weather?
If you’re 21 and over, this list is made for you to make noise, enjoy responsibly, and feel all the emotions any Finals run may bring. Check it out—and don’t forget to sip and cheers!
Hennessy Sweet Tea
For the cognac lovers, the latest launch of Hennessy Very Special Cocktails, a collection of ready-to-serve bottled cocktail recipes, is now available for you to enjoy three vibrant cocktails designed to bring people together and celebrate life’s spontaneous moments. With Henny-Rita, Henny Berry, and Henny Iced Tea, you and your friends will cheer on any team as they secure the victory. If you can’t find the Hennessy Very Special Cocktails, the Hennessy Sweet Tea recipe below will give you a preview of what to expect when you do get your hands on them.
Hennessy Sweet Tea
- Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Hennessy V.S
- 0.5 oz Orange liquor
- 2 oz Cold unsweetened tea
- 0.5 oz Simple syrup
- 0.5 oz Fresh lemon juice
- 1 Garnish with Orange zest
- Method:
- Pour all ingredients except the zest into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until completely cooled. Strain into a Collins glass over ice. Decorate with orange zest.
Extra Old Fashioned
Another spirit that announced a new launch was Espolòn with their Extra Añejo tequila, which is aged for three years in two different barrels: first in American oak, then finished in French Chardonnay casks. The Extra Old Fashioned will combine the love of tequila with a classic cocktail.
Extra Old Fashioned
- Ingredients:
- 2 parts Espolòn Extra Añejo
- 0.25 parts Simple syrup
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
- Method:
- Add your tequila, syrup and bitters to a glass.
- Add ice and stir until chilled.
- Garnish with an orange twist.
Fairway Fizz
With the Fairway Fizz recipe, every sip will feel like you’re on an island, made with Mount Gay Barbados rum. It’s the simplicity meets sophistication in this all-in-one drink. Last month, they launched the Mount Gay x Devereux Golf Course Collection, which brought together 300 years of rum-making heritage with a modern, rule-breaking take on golf apparel.
Fairway Fizz
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz Mount Gay Eclipse
- 4 oz Fresh pineapple juice
- 2 oz Soda water or Sparkling wine
- Method:
- Build over ice in a highball
- Garnish with a slice of lime
ALB Vodka
For all those who like flavored vodka, look no further than ALB Vodka, crafted from 100% American corn, distilled six times, and blended with New York water. ALB delivers smoothness, versatility, and consistency, coming in a variety of orange, cucumber, and original flavors, with even a special bottle to celebrate Pride Month.
The Nightcap of Champions
For whichever team wins the championship, this Cointreau recipe may be the right drink to celebrate. With a name like The Nightcap of Champions, how could it not be a celebration for either New York or Texas?
The Nightcap of Champions
- Ingredients:
- 0.75 oz Cointreau
- 1.5 oz Bourbon Whiskey
- 0.75 oz Fresh Lemon Juice
- 0.5 oz Egg white (optional)
- Method:
- Add all ingredients to a shaker and shake without ice
- Add ice, shake, and fine strain into a coupe glass
- Garnish with an orange peel
PATRÓN Paloma
Both teams have a strong Latino fan base, and a familiar cocktail while watching the game is always the best way to go. PATRÓN’s Paloma is the right cocktail for you, especially if you like reposado.
PATRÓN’s Paloma
- Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz PATRÓN Reposado
- 3 oz Fresh grapefruit juice
- .5 oz Agave syrup (1:1)
- .5 oz Fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz Sparkling water
- Sugar and salt for rimming
- Grapefruit wedge for garnish
- Method:
- Combine all ingredients except sparkling water in a shaker tin and shake with ice to chill.
- Strain onto fresh ice in a sugar and salt rimmed collins glass.
- Top with sparkling water and garnish with a grapefruit wedge.
Laelia Manhattan
With game four being played in New York City, it seems appropriate to include a tequila recipe named Laelia Manhattan. Rooted in fourth-generation agave-growing heritage and crafted in the Valley region of Jalisco under the brand’s own NOM 1607, Laelia reflects a deep respect for traditional tequila-making and contemporary Mexican craftsmanship.
Laelia Manhattan
- Ingredients:
- 2 oz Laelia Reposado Tequila
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- 1 dash of Aromatic Bitters
- 2 dash of Orange Bitter
- Method:
- Add the tequila, sweet vermouth, and orange bitters into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
- Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lime twist and a cocktail cherry (optional).
Zacapa No. 23
Zacapa No. 23 is the right fit for your drinking party with its blend of aged rums aged 6 to 23 years, produced through the “Sistema Solera” aging process, and it’s best served neat, on the rocks, or in your favorite dark spirit cocktail.
196 Vodka Seltzer Lemon
You want a buzz without the mixing. 196 Vodka Seltzer is calling your name. With flavors like lemon, strawberry, peach, grapefruit, and more, you get a wide range of the #1 seltzer in Japan, perfect for any game or June festivities.
Minute Maid Spiked Strawberry Daiquiri
You could never go wrong with a daiquiri, and if you grew up drinking Minute Maid juices, consider these spiked drinks the adult version. From a strawberry daiquiri to a Blue Hawaiian, you get an overflow of nostalgia with every sip.
El Amanecer
El Amanecer might be the perfect recipe to wake the fandom, continue cheering the teams, and hope for the win. Made with Pocho Fino Blanco Tequila, it’s the wakeup call we all need to realize that your favorite team is about to be champions.
El Amanecer
- Ingredients:
- 1 ½ oz Pocho Fino Blanco Tequila
- 3 ½ oz Orange Juice
- ¾ oz Grenadine
- Method:
- Add Pocho Fino Blanco Tequila and orange juice over ice.
- Stir gently.
- Float grenadine slowly.
NOLET’S Ethereal Negroni
With a delicate situation like a championship on the line, a NOLET’S Ethereal Negroni is the perfect beverage addition to the watch party or summer festivities, for the favorite season we never want to end.
NOLET’S Ethereal Negroni
- Ingredients:
- 1 oz. NOLET’S Silver Gin
- 0.75 oz. Aperol
- 0.75 oz. Lillet Blanc
- 0.5 oz. Fresh Lemon Juice
- Method:
- Add all ingredients to a mixing glass or shaker with ice.
- Shake or stir well and strain into a coupe or Martini glass (can also be served in the traditional way, over ice in a rocks glass).
- Garnish with a lemon peel.