Spring Break Spirits

No matter where you're spending your spring break this year, one thing is for sure, drinks are a must. After all, a cocktail a day keeps the bad vibes away! So we've got seven must try drinks, one for each day of spring break!

Watermelon Lime Margarita

3 Cups Watermelon (Cubed and Frozen)

1 Ripe Banana (Peeled and Frozen)

2 Tablespoons Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup

Zest From 2 Limes

Juice From 2 Limes (About 4 Tablespoons)

1/2 Cup Water

3-4 Shots of Silver Tequila

Blend all ingredients until smooth, adding more water as needed to keep the mixture moving.

Strawberry Basil Moscow Mule



5 Fresh Strawberries
5 Fresh Basil Leaves
1 1/2 Ounces of Vodka
Juice From 1/2 a Lime
Ginger Beer
Crushed Ice

Muddle strawberries and basil with a splash of ginger beer and lime juice, add the vodka and stir. Top with ice and ginger beer, and garnish with strawberries and basil. Don't forget to stop in and get a mule mug to make it authentic!

Champagne Grapefruit Mojito



1 Tablespoon Agave Nectar
12 Mint Leaves
Juice From 1 Lime (About 2 Tablespoons)
3 Ounces of Rum
Juice From 1 Grapefruit
1/3 Cup Champagne

Juice the lime and grapefruit, then cut them into wedges and muddle together. Add grapefruit juice and wedges, mint, agave, ice, lime juice and wedges, and rum to a shaker, and shake. Spoon out the fruit wedges, pour into glasses and add the champagne. Finish by garnishing with a grapefruit wedge and a mint stem.

Blackberry Scofflaw Cocktail



For the Syrup:

1/2 Cup Blackberries
2 Tablespoons Water
1 Tablespoon Fine Granulated Syrup

For the Cocktail:

3 Ounces Templeton Rye Whiskey
1 1/2 Ounces of Dry Vermouth
1 Ounce Blackberry Syrup
1/2 Ounce Fresh Lemon Juice
3-4 Dashes of Orange Bitters

To make the syrup, place the blackberries, water and sugar into a small sauce pan. Cook over medium heat for about5 minutes, stirring often. Strain the syrup over a cup or bowl, and let it cool to room temperature. For the cocktail, add the rye, vermouth, syrup, lemon juice, bitters, and a handful of ice to a cocktail shaker, and shake for about 30 seconds. Strain the cocktail and garnish with blackberries and orange peel. And we've got just the mixing set for the job here at Tailgate.

Tropical Peach Pineapple Slushies



1 1/2 Cups Diced Frozen Peaches
1 1/2 Cups Diced Frozen Pineapple
2 Shots of Malibu Rum
2 Shots Pineapple Vodka
2 Shots Peach Schnapps
Grenadine for Drizzle
Maraschino Cherries for Garnish

Add the fruit and liquors to a blender and blend on high speed for about a minute or until smooth. Pour into glasses and drizzle with grenadine and garnish with cherries.

Fruity Pineapple Sangria



1 (20 Ounce) Can of Pineapple Chunks (Juice Included)
1 Cup Sliced Strawberries
1 Orange, Sliced into Rounds
1 (750 ml) Bottle Sweet White Wine
Juice of 1 Orange
1 Cup Mango Pineapple Vodka
2 Cups of Sprite

Add pineapple chunks and juice, strawberries, and oranges to a pitcher. Stir in wine, vodka, and orange juice. Refrigerate for 2 hours, and stir in sprite when serving.

Strawberry Cream Mimosa



12 Ounces Frozen Raspberries
1/2 Cup (Fresh or Frozen) Strawberries
6-7 Sweet'N Low Packets
1 Teaspoon Honey
1 Cup Half and Half Cream
1/8 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
1-2 Bottles Sparkling Champagne

In a medium sauce pan set on low/medium, add raspberries and diced or frozen strawberries. Let the fruit get soft, for about 10 minutes, then add the Sweet'N Low to the mix to taste, stir well, and then the honey. Stir the mixture and continue to heat for 5 more minutes. Let the mixture cool, and then puree or blend. Place a strainer over a measuring cup, and then pour the liquid through. Once the liquid is strained of seeds, pour the half and half over the seeds to get any remaining liquid. Finish pouring the half and half into the strawberry-raspberry liquid and add the vanilla extract. Pour into an ice cube tray and freeze for at least 4 hours. When ready to serve, pour a glass of champagne and add the strawberry-raspberry cubes.

Enjoy these drinks, and the ones we know you created this spring break. Links to the drink creators are in the drink titles, so be sure to check out their blogs and what they have to say about their drinks! Drink responsibly, IC. Cheers!

The Legacy of #40

There are players on every team that become idols. The players that work hard and play hard. The players whose passion and commitment are tangible in the stands. From 1991-1993 that player was Chris Street. An Indianola boy who played power forward for the University of Iowa.
Street had unofficially agreed to play for Iowa when he was only a sophomore in high school, and when he made it, he did not disappoint. He wasn't afraid of hard work, and always kept the spirits high, on and off the court.
It was January 19th of 1993 when something happened that shook not only the state of Iowa, but the United States as a whole. It was that night after a team dinner that Chris Street was in an accident that took his life.
The phone at the Iowa Sports Information Department rang off the hook, flooding the secretary with apologies, not only at a state level, but from coast to coast.



Today we celebrate the legacy of Chris Street by remembering a player with enough heart for an entire stadium. Every year the Chris Street award is given to the player who displays the spirit, enthusiasm and intensity that Chris used to to display himself.




Though his number is retired we still remember the legacy he left behind. Support our Hawkeyes through their amazing basketball season and celebrate the player who had a spirit to remember. Rest in peace Chris Street.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide (for Him & Her)

Shopping for Valentine's Day is hard, let Tailgate make it easy! We know you've got other things on your mind, so our gift guide is here to make shopping for the special day a breeze!

Gifts for Her

The Fashionista

She knows she's got it going on, and she never looks anything less than perfect. This look is just right for her.

The Edgy Girl

She's a risk taker, and it always seems to work out for her. This look is daring, just the way she likes it.

The Girly Girl

Soft and sweet, she's the girl who can't help but to look adorable

The Comfortable Cutie

Who says you can't look comfortable and cute? She makes it look easy, and she always looks darling.

The Sporty Chick

One of the guys, she's the girl who's always down for watching a good game.

Gifts for Him

The World Traveler

He wants to see the world, so he needs the gear to do it! Shoes? Check. Luggage tag? Check. Something to write it all down in? Check.

The Sports Fanatic

Basketball, football, wrestling, he loves it all, which means he's got to have a lucky t-shirt for every game!

The Avid Bartender

Maybe he's really a bartender, and if he's not he definitely should be. He knows all the great recipes, now all he needs is some good barware.

The Collector

Everyone has a guilty pleasure, and his are his precious collectables. From old school medicine balls, to custom baseballs and footballs, we've got it all right here.

The Master of Decor

Let's be honest, his apartment is more put together than yours, and you're not complaining. He'd love to deck out his place some more.



Follow this guide and you're good as gold! Your significant other is sure to love you forever with gifts like these. Happy shopping!

Gable the Legend

Did you know that from 1976 to 1997 the Iowa wrestling team won 15 national championships? That's right, led by non other than iconic coach Dan Gable, our Hawkeyes won 15 national championships, but with a coach like Gable, that's no surprise. An Iowa State graduate, Gable had been wrestling since high school, and continued to do so through college, and he only ever lost one match, making his overall collegiate mark 181-1. Gable went on to win the 1972 Olympics, further proving that he was a force to be reckoned with. A few years later Gable came to conquer Iowa City, which he did.

Gable is one of the best coaches that the University of Iowa has seen, though he is no longer the head coach, he will always be a legend here in Iowa City.

So let's remember the legend that is Dan Gable at this week's wrestling match at Carver! The match will be at 8, and broadcasted on the Big 10 Network! Hope to see you there in your best Tailgate gear! 

New Semester, New Style

Spring semester is here, and a new semester means that not only will you be getting new classes and professors, but new classmates, so you've gotta look your best! Pick up these pieces for your wardrobe to start the semester off right!

Star Wars Socks!

It's no secret that Star Wars is cool again. With an awesome new movie out the Star Wars fan in everyone seems to be bursting at the seams. So what better way to show off your love of Star Wars (or your love for socks) with these bad boys?

Classic Iowa Sweatshirt

New year, new fleece! That's how the saying goes, right? Let's face it, your go to sweatshirt from last semester needs to be upgraded to show off your new look! And while spring is (hopefully) right around the corner, it's still too chilly without a sweatshirt to keep you warm. We've got the classic fleece styles that will make you stand out this semester. Which one will you choose?

Local Proud

Show off your local pride this semester with one of our iconic Iowa City shirts! Hamburg is the best place to get a pie shake, Joe's Place, Short's, and Big Grove have the best brews, Pagliai's is the go to place for your favorite pizza, and John's has everything you could need. Everyone has that place they just can't pass up, what's yours?

Hawkeye Pride

Maybe you have a million Hawkeye shirts, but we know you can never have too many! And don't forget to grab a stocking hat to keep those ears warm through those first couple months of cold! There's no better way to show off that Hawkeye Pride!

Keep it S'well



A S'well bottle isn't your typical water bottle. With an assortment of styles to please everyone, this water bottle is more of an accessory. Not only do they look awesome, but they are also super practical. They'll keep your water ice cold or your coffee steaming hot throughout the whole school day!

I have a feeling it's going to be a great year my fellow Hawkeyes, so let's do it up right and look good doing it!

Tailgate Clothing + Boat House Apparel = One Epic Pop Up Shop

Some of you are new to our store, and some of you are seasoned veterans, no matter which category you fall in to, you are invited to our pop up shop with Boat House Apparel this Thursday and Friday!

Boat House Apparel is a high-quality brand inspired by life along Lake Okoboji, but that's not all! They make all sorts of adorable tees and tanks, but we're most excited about are the University of Iowa graphics the brand is showcasing in the store! 

Boat House Apparel will be popping up in store from 6-8 on Thursday and from 10-6 on Friday! One of the graphics that will be available is this sweet Iowa graphic that can get you through all of the seasons! For the warm weather, throw it with a pair of shorts and flip-flops, and when it gets chilly layer it up with a jacket and jeans. This simplistic tee is cute as can be, so grab it while you can!

Hey, you're a babe! You know it, we know it, and the rest of the world can see it. What's more important though is making sure they know you're a Hawkeye Babe, because is there anything better? We don't think so!

Sometimes we all need a little reminder to remain happy and positive, especially when we have midterms that keep popping up! What better reminder than this tee? It'll keep a smile on your face and remind you that negativity is not allowed!

Could it really be called Boat House Apparel without at least one anchor graphic? We love it, don't you? And though it's hard to read, the print at the bottom of the anchor says "always smooth sailing." How cute is that?

And after you fall in love with this brand, just like we have, you won't be able to pass up this graphic. It's a Boat House classic you need in your closet!

We are so excited to be partnering with Boat House Apparel for the second year in a row! These sweet graphics are only here Thursday and Friday, so catch one while you can! Can't wait to see you there!

10 Things To Do Before Summer Ends

While summer is coming to a close there is still plenty of time to check off items on your Summer Bucket List. Everyday is a weekend in the summer! This is the time to live it up before the summer ends and we resume our normal lives as Iowa City fills back in with students, work begins again at full speed, and classes resume. Just in case you thought your summer was seeming a little empty, here are ten things you must do in the last month of your summer vacation.

10. Hit Up A Festival

Festivals are a great way to spend your day In Iowa City. What's better than cute little vendors and greasy food? Festivals scream summer! Not only is there great food and drinks, but live music as well, and you just can't beat that! So make sure to reserve one day of your summer to hit up a festival, where you can walk around with a strawberry daiquiri, eat a funnel  cake, and enjoy the live music and everything the IC vendors have to offer.

9. Grab Your S'well and Soak Up the Sun

If you can make it to a beach, we are all very jealous of you, but if you can't, there's no reason you can't still work on your tan! Grab a beach towel, something to read, a pair of sandals, a few of your besties, and don't forget your trusty S'well bottle to keep your drink cold, then head to the Pentacrest, or even your back yard, to catch some rays. Even if you can't go anywhere tropical, you can still look like you did!

8. Crack Open a Beer on Your Porch

Make it a party, or just a low key night with the cutie next door! There's nothing more relaxing than spending the day drinking a few craft beers from good ol' Dirty John's Grocery and laughing about "that one time freshman year" with your friends before life goes back to textbooks and lectures. 

7. Play Frisbee in The Park

Do you remember the last time you played frisbee? If you can't recall, then it has been way too long, which means you need to gather up your crew and head somewhere with plenty of green space. It can keep you all entertained for hours, and what's more fun than a day out playing around? Extra points to the team who can carry their team mate on their shoulders and still catch the frisbee.

6. Try a Moscow Mule

There's a reason these bad boys have become so popular, they're super yummy! The drink and the copper mugs they're served in have become a staple for summer. This ginger beer is mixed with vodka and lime juice and garnished with lemon to make it the perfect drink for summer. The copper mug, while being super stylish, also keeps your drink nice and cold even in the summer heat!

5. Dance, Baby, Dance

Did you know that an hour of dancing burns roughly 400 calories? There's no way more fun to get in shape to see all of your friends and that guy from math lecture who you want to make jealous. So put on your dancing shoes and head to the studio, or if you have two left feet, have a few more Moscow Mules! If you drink enough of them surely you'll gain some skills for the club!

4. Buy Some New Kicks

If you live in Iowa City odds are you walk almost everywhere. From class to class during the week or bar to bar on the weekends, you need a new pair of shoes to replace the ones you practically wore through last year. P.F. Flyers are the perfect city shoe, and we've got them here for you at Tailgate (men's and women's sizes available)! Not only are they extremely trendy and stylish, but they make it feel like you're walking on clouds!

3. Do a Photo Shoot With Your Friends

Ever dreamed about being a model? Well, who says you can't be? Grab your phone and some friends and do a mini Iowa City photo shoot! There are so many great spots in Iowa City to take pictures, and it'll be a blast! Plus, there's bound to be some great shots to spice up your Instagram and make your followers that don't go to Iowa wish they did!

2. Patio Hop With Friends

Summer is prime patio hoping time, and since summer is almost over, now is your time to jump from one patio to the next enjoying the cold mixed drinks and beers and late nights with friends! Cheers to the summer!

1. Stop In To See Us!

Lastly, remember to pop in and see us before the year starts so we can make sure you're dressed for success! We've got all your school essentials right here at Tailgate! Sick shoes, awesome S'well Bottles, and t-shirts so soft you won't be able to pass them up. The best part about heading back to school is shopping for new school threads, and we've got tons of new graphics for you this school year! From classes to tailgates, we have the apparel you need to make a statement this year!

Have a Great Summer Hawkeyes!