Tailgate-Ready: Canned Cocktails and RTDs for Two-a-Days and Season Kickoff

Texas football season starts earlier than most people realize. By early August, high school programs across the state are already deep into practice, and college teams aren’t far behind. For parents, boosters, and lifelong fans, that means tailgate season is basically here too, even if the first kickoff is still a few weeks out.

Zipps Liquor has what you need to stock a cooler for practice-week get-togethers and the tailgates that follow, all at 10 to 30 percent savings compared to local competitors. With one of the largest spirits, wine, and beer selections in Texas and 35-plus communities served statewide, Zipps makes it easy to grab a cooler’s worth of canned cocktails and RTDs without a special trip to a big-box store. Browse the full lineup anytime at shop.zippsliquor.com, or read on for a category-by-category breakdown.

If you’re searching “liquor store near me” ahead of the season or just want an easier way to stock a cooler than mixing drinks by hand, here’s your guide to tailgate-ready RTDs.

Why Canned Cocktails Make Sense for Tailgate Season

Texas football season means a long stretch of Friday nights, Saturday tailgates, and practice-week gatherings that run from August through November and often longer for teams that make a deep playoff run. That’s a lot of coolers to stock, and canned cocktails solve a few real problems that a full bar setup doesn’t.

No mixing required. Between practice pickups, work schedules, and everything else August brings, nobody wants to be behind a makeshift bar measuring pours. Canned cocktails and RTDs are ready the moment they’re cold.

Consistent taste, every time. A canned margarita or vodka soda tastes the same whether it’s the first one out of the cooler or the last, which isn’t always true when someone’s mixing drinks by hand for a crowd. That consistency matters more than it sounds like it should when you’re pouring for a dozen people over several hours in the Texas heat.

Easier cleanup. Cans go straight into a recycling bag. No pitchers, no shakers, no sticky bar top to wipe down after the game.

Simple portion control. Canned drinks come in a fixed serving size, which makes it easier for everyone at a tailgate to keep track of what they’ve had.

What to Stock in Your Tailgate Cooler

Zipps carries a wide range of canned cocktails and RTDs suited to different tastes, so building a cooler that covers your whole group doesn’t take much effort. The full ready-to-drink cocktail selection is worth a scroll before you shop, since it’s easier to plan a mixed cooler online than to guess in the aisle.

Vodka and Tequila-Based RTDs

High Noon Sun Sips, made with real vodka and juice, comes in a variety pack that covers several flavors in one case, which is an easy way to please a group without guessing everyone’s favorite. High Noon’s Pineapple and Passionfruit Vodka Soda cans are lighter, lower-calorie options for anyone who wants something refreshing without a heavy sugar content.

On the tequila side, 1800 Ultimate Margarita Passion Fruit RTD brings a real margarita in a can, and Topo Chico Spirited Tequila & Grapefruit Paloma offers a more complex, citrus-forward option for guests who like a paloma over a straight margarita.

Whiskey and Malt-Based Options

Twisted Tea Extreme Variety Pack covers the malt-based side of the cooler, with four flavors in one 12-pack, giving guests options without needing to stock four separate cases.

Low-Calorie and Hard Seltzer Options

Not everyone wants a full-flavor canned cocktail at every tailgate, and low-calorie options have become a real part of how Texas shoppers stock a cooler. Zipps’ hard seltzer selection and lighter RTDs give guests a way to stay social through a long afternoon without the added sugar and calories that come with heavier mixed drinks. Rounding out your cooler with at least one lighter option alongside the bigger-flavor canned cocktails means you’re covering both the guest who wants a full margarita experience and the one who’s watching what they drink over a multi-hour tailgate.

Party Packs for Bigger Tailgates

For larger tailgates or booster club gatherings, BeatBox Party Pack and similar variety packs are built specifically for bigger groups, offering a range of flavors in a format designed for sharing rather than individual servings. If your crew leans more toward classic domestic or craft beer, Zipps’ full beer selection rounds out a mixed cooler alongside the RTDs.

Building a Cooler That Covers Everyone

A well-stocked tailgate cooler usually works best with a mix of categories rather than a single product. A simple approach:

One vodka-based variety pack for guests who want something light and easy to drink over the course of a long afternoon.

One tequila-based option for guests who prefer a margarita or paloma flavor profile.

One malt-based variety pack for anyone who wants something closer to a classic hard tea or lemonade flavor.

At least one low-calorie or hard seltzer option for guests who are watching their intake over a long tailgate without sitting out entirely.

A few non-alcoholic options for designated drivers and anyone who’s driving straight from the tailgate to pick up kids from practice.

Buying a mix rather than a single case means fewer half-empty cases left over at the end of the season, since everyone’s pulling from a cooler that actually has something for their taste.

Stocking Up Wherever You’re Watching in Texas

Tailgate season looks a little different depending on where you’re watching from, but the shopping trip doesn’t have to. Whether you’re heading to a Friday night game in Marshall, meeting up with friends off Highway 105 near Conroe, driving in from a smaller East Texas community along FM 3083, or gathering with family near Nacogdoches or Livingston, the same approach works: stock up once, keep a mix of options on hand, and let the cooler do the rest.

For fans in rural communities without a full-selection liquor store nearby, a single trip to Zipps covers everything from the RTD lineup to ice and snacks, which beats piecing together a tailgate spread from multiple stops. And with 35-plus locations across Texas, chances are a Zipps is closer than you’d expect, even if you’re coming from a smaller town outside the main metro areas. Use the Zipps Liquor store locator to check hours and confirm the closest location before you head out. A quick “RTD near me” or “canned cocktails near me” search will usually turn up a Zipps location within a short drive, no matter which part of the state you’re tailgating in this season.

Budgeting for a Full Season of Tailgates

Texas football runs long, from two-a-days in early August through playoffs that can stretch into December for teams that go deep in the postseason. That’s a lot of tailgates if you’re hosting regularly, and it adds up faster than most people plan for.

A few ways to keep costs manageable across a full season:

Buy variety packs instead of single cans. Cases and variety packs typically offer better value per can than buying singles, especially when you’re restocking weekly.

Take advantage of Zipps’ everyday savings. Since Zipps runs 10 to 30 percent lower prices than local competitors as a standing policy rather than a one-time sale, a season’s worth of tailgate shopping adds up to real savings compared to shopping elsewhere.

Split costs with your tailgate group. If you’re hosting the same crew most weekends, splitting the cooler cost or rotating who buys each week keeps any one person from carrying the full season’s expense.

Tips for Stocking Up Ahead of the Season

Buy ahead of the rush. Once the season gets underway, Friday and Saturday shopping trips get busier. Stocking up during the week, especially early in the season before the crowds pick up, means you’re not fighting for parking on game day.

Keep a running list. If you’re hosting regularly through the season, keeping a simple list of what sold well at the last tailgate makes restocking faster each week, rather than guessing from scratch every time.

Use a drive-through pickup if it’s on your way. Select Zipps locations, including Stores 19, 27, and 30, offer drive-through service, which can be a real time-saver on a busy game day morning when you’re trying to get to the stadium parking lot early.

Don’t forget ice. It sounds obvious, but a cooler full of warm cans is nobody’s idea of a good tailgate. Grab ice on the same trip so everything’s cold by kickoff.

Shop online ahead of a big weekend. If you know a rivalry week or a big Saturday matchup is coming, ordering online and picking up in-store saves time compared to browsing the aisles during a busy pre-game rush.

Check the forecast. August and September tailgates in Texas can run hot. Planning for extra ice and slightly more inventory than you think you’ll need accounts for cans that get grabbed faster in the heat.

Coordinate with your tailgate crew ahead of time. A quick group text asking who’s bringing what avoids the common problem of five people showing up with the same variety pack and nothing else.

If tailgate season has you thinking ahead to the rest of the fall calendar, Zipps’ July Fourth party planning guide and Memorial Day beer guide for Palestine, Texas cover the same stock-up approach for other big outdoor gatherings on the Texas calendar.

Tailgating Responsibly Through the Season

With a season that stretches from August through November, a few reminders are worth keeping in mind at every tailgate:

• Always have a designated driver, especially for tailgates that start well before kickoff and run long
• Keep an eye on how much everyone in your group has had over a multi-hour tailgate, since it’s easy to lose track over several hours
• Stock water and food alongside the cooler, not just drinks
• Respect stadium and parking lot rules on alcohol, which vary by venue and school district
• Pace the cooler over the course of the tailgate rather than front-loading drinks in the first hour, especially on hot afternoons when dehydration sets in faster

None of this has to slow down a good tailgate. It just means the whole season stays fun for everyone involved, including the drive home.

Simple Pairings for Game Day

A cooler full of RTDs pairs naturally with classic tailgate food, and keeping it simple usually beats an elaborate spread that takes hours to prep:

• Brisket or sausage, a Texas tailgate staple, pairs well with the citrus notes in a canned margarita or paloma
• Queso and chips work with almost anything in the cooler and are easy to keep warm in a slow cooker through a long tailgate
• Chips and salsa give guests something to snack on without committing to a full plate before kickoff
• A simple fruit tray offers a lighter option alongside heavier tailgate food, especially on hot August and September afternoons
• Pickles and pickled vegetables are a small but popular addition at many Texas tailgates, and they pair especially well with a spicier michelada or paloma-style can

Keeping food simple means more time watching warmups and less time managing a complicated setup before the game even starts.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the Texas high school football season start practicing? 

Texas high school football practice typically begins in early August, with exact dates varying by school classification under UIL rules. Many programs are in full two-a-day practice mode well before the first game kicks off.

What’s the easiest drink to bring to a tailgate? 

Canned cocktails and RTDs are the easiest option for tailgates, since they require no mixing, offer consistent taste, and simplify cleanup compared to a full bar setup.

How much should I buy for a tailgate? 

A general rule of thumb is planning for two to three canned drinks per guest for an afternoon tailgate, with more if the gathering runs longer than a few hours. Buying a mix of vodka, tequila, and malt-based options usually covers the widest range of tastes.

Can I order tailgate supplies online and pick them up before the game? 

Yes. Shopping online ahead of a big game day and picking up in-store saves time compared to browsing in person during a busy pre-game rush, especially during rivalry weeks.

Do canned cocktails cost more than mixing drinks myself? 

Not necessarily, especially when buying variety packs or cases. Between the cost of individual mixers, garnishes, and a base spirit, mixing from scratch for a crowd often ends up costing about the same as, or more than, a well-chosen selection of RTDs, without the convenience.

What’s the best way to keep a tailgate cooler organized for a big group? 

Sorting by category, one section for vodka-based RTDs, one for tequila-based options, one for malt-based drinks, makes it easy for guests to grab what they want without digging through a mixed pile of cans.

Do I need to worry about running out mid-tailgate? 

Buying a little more than you think you’ll need is usually cheaper than a mid-game supply run. Canned cocktails and RTDs don’t spoil quickly, so leftover cans keep fine for the next tailgate rather than going to waste.

Ready for Kickoff

Texas football season means months of tailgates, practice-week gatherings, and Friday nights that call for a well-stocked cooler. Zipps Liquor makes it simple to stock up on canned cocktails and RTDs at savings of 10 to 30 percent compared to local competitors, with a selection wide enough to cover every taste in your group, from the first two-a-day practice in August through whatever the postseason brings.