Fill up on High Octane!

I can’t count the number of times we’ve heard “it’s a party with a racing problem” when wandering around the paddock. Which got me thinking… How many racing (or automobile) inspired libations are out there? – With a little help from the friendly folks at GTM we compiled a small list of motorsports inspired drinks. Some you know and others you’ve probably never heard of… But be sure to add the ones we’ve missed by commenting below! – We want to hear about your favorite “race fuels” before our next paddock party!

87-octane: Off the shelf Brews, Wines and Liquors

• Racer 5 & Drift Racer – Bear Republic (Healdsburg, CA)
  
• STP 43 Whiskey
  
• Hot Rod Cherry Wine – Peninsula Cellars Winery (Traverse City, MI)
• Speedway Stout – AleSmith Brewing Co. (San Diego, CA) – An imperial stout with coffee described as chocolaty and roasted.
  
• Adobe Road Winery’s Racing Series
  1. REDLINE (SRP $35) is a rich blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Malbec. The bottle is silkscreened with a vintage tachometer.
  2. SHIFT (SRP $55) is a daring combination of Zinfandel, Barbera, Grenache, Petite Sirah, and Carignane. The bottle sports a cutting-edge, metal label that resembles a vintage, gated shifter and the cork is topped with a five-speed shift knob.
  3. THE 24 (SRP $66) is a Rhone-style blend of Grenache, Mourvedre, and Syrah, with Malbec for added spice and character. The beautiful metal chronograph label pays homage to the Rolex timepiece which counts down the thrilling 24-hour races at Daytona and Le Mans.
  4. APEX (SRP $76) is an ultra-premium blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Merlot and Petite Sirah with a stunning metal Apex curbing on the bottle. To a race car driver, the apex is the point at which you are at the optimal line of the corner and winning depends on hitting the perfect apex just like this wine.

89-octane: Microbrews

• Bear Republic
  (Healdsburg, CA) – Many year-round and seasonal choices. Well-known picks include Racer 5, an Indian pale ale; and Grand Am, an American-style pale ale.
• Bier Brewery
  (Indianapolis, IN) –  Trackbier, an American lager through-and-through.
• Daredevil Brewing Co.
  (Speedway, IN) – Race Day, an American craft lager described as light and malty.
• Flat 12 Bierworks
  (Indianapolis, IN) –  Hinchtown Hammerdown, described as a crisp and refreshing Pilsner-style beer.
• Harviestoun Brewery LTD
  (Alva, UK) – Old Engine Oil, a black ale described as dark, chocolaty, and roasted.
• Hoosier Brewing Co.
  (Franklin, IN) – Red Flyer, an Irish Red Ale.
• New Glarus Brewing Co.
  (New Glarus, WI) – Black Top, a Black IPA gold that’s “assertively hoppy” and “jet black;” also, Road Slush, an oatmeal stout tasting of molasses and dark chocolate.
• Old Hangtown Beer Works
  (Rancho Cordova, CA) – Jeepers Trail, a pale ale dedicated to the off-roading brand.
• Red Truck Beer Co.
  (Vancouver, B.C.) – This brewery, in general, derives a lot of its inspiration from the founder’s 1946 Dodge pickup (seen on the label), which he used to cart his home-brewed lager and ale around in.
• Two Roads Brewing Co.
  (Stratford, CT) – Multiple options, including No Limits Hefeweizen, a Bavarian wheat brew dedicated to Germany’s Autobahn.

93-octane: Well-known Cocktails

Cadillac Margarita

1 ½ oz good tequila
½ oz Cointreau
1 oz lime juice
Grand Marnier floater
1 sombrero

Shake first three ingredients with cracked ice, strain into a big margarita glass, float a tablespoon of Grand Marnier on top.

Irish Car Bomb

1 shot glass full of ½ Bailey’s and ½ Irish whiskey
1 pint of Guinness, freshly poured from a tap

Drop the shot into the beer and drink the pint, ideally in one go!

110-octane: Custom Cocktails

Ferrari Cocktail

1 ½ oz Fernet Branca
1 ½ oz Campari

Shake with ice and strain into a chilled rocks glass.

Source: Michel Dietsch, Serious Eats

Rolls-Royce

2 oz gin
½ oz dry vermouth
Benedictine

Rinse a chilled coupe (that’s an old-fashioned martini glass, not a two door) with Benedictine. Stir other ingredients with ice and strain into the glass.

Source: Imbibe magazine

Silver Mercedes

1 shot cold vodka
½ shot cranberry
Champagne floater

Stir vodka and cranberry with ice in a highball glass. Top with Champagne.

Source: Bar None Drinks

Harley-Davidson

½ oz Baileys
½ oz Midori liqueur
Jägermeister floater

Shake first two ingredients with cracked ice, strain into a rocks glass. Float some Jäger on top.

Source: DrinksMixer.com

BMW Cocktail

¾ oz Baileys
¾ oz Malibu coconut rum
¾ oz rye whiskey

Fill a rocks glass with ice, pour ingredients over the top and stir. Serve with weisswurst mit senf.

Source: Shaun the Bartender

Bentley Cocktail

1 ½ shot Calvados brandy
1 ½ shot Dubonnet
2 dashes Peychaud’s bitters

Stir ingredients with ice, strain into a rocks glass.

Source: Difford’s Guide

LeMans Cocktail

1 shot Cointreau
1 shot vodka
1 tbsp simple syrup
1 shot orange juice
1 shot soda

Mix all ingredients except soda in a cocktail shaker. Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Top with soda and lemon slice garnish. Drink LeMans cocktails for 24 hours straight, and you’re a true champion!

Source: Food Travel TV

GTM Disclaimer: Remember, You must be at least 21 years of age to drink alcoholic beverages. Please drink responsibly. Please do not drink and drive! Please don’t drink to excess or drink with certain medications or medical conditions. We want to see you at our next paddock party, so stay thirsty!