What to Sip While You Play: Pair your next travel backgammon match with something crisp and classic.
Every great game night deserves a signature drink. Backgammon may be fast-paced and full of strategy, but it’s also social at heart, best enjoyed with friends, a little laughter, and the right glass in hand. Wondering what to sip while you play? Here are a few classic cocktails (and one clever mocktail) that pair perfectly with your next backgammon match.
Champagne: The Classic
For centuries, champagne has been the drink of celebration, and what better way to toast a backgammon win (or gracefully accept a loss)? Crisp, bubbly, and undeniably chic, champagne brings a touch of glamour to the board and is the perfect pairing for a travel backgammon night anywhere. Picture yourself in St. Tropez or Palm Beach, dice in one hand, coupe in the other.
It’s the perfect pairing for a modern backgammon set or travel backgammon board, where every roll feels like part of the celebration. Whether you’re playing on the patio or by the sea, backgammon remains one of the best games for entertaining, blending the sophistication of luxury board games with the easy connection of social board games. Lightweight, portable, and endlessly stylish, a portable backgammon board makes every champagne toast feel a little more golden, and every double roll a little luckier.
Old Fashioned: The Power Player
Smooth, strong, and timeless, the Old Fashioned is the cocktail equivalent of a well-played game: confident, classic, and perfect for the player who knows the board (or wants to look like they do). All you need is bourbon, sugar, bitters, and an orange twist. It’s simple yet sophisticated, much like backgammon itself, one of the best games for entertaining and connection.
Cary Grant was known to sip whiskey between matches, and an Old Fashioned carries on that Hollywood tradition of charm with a slow, thoughtful edge. It’s a perfect pick for those who appreciate luxury board games and game night ideas that blend strategy with style. Whether you’re hosting at home or setting up your travel backgammon board somewhere scenic, this classic cocktail fits the moment beautifully.
Recipe:
2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
1 sugar cube (or ½ tsp sugar)
2 dashes Angostura bitters
Orange peel, for garnish
Muddle sugar and bitters with a splash of water, add whiskey, stir with ice, and garnish with orange peel.
Sip slowly, like you’re plotting your perfect move.
Aperol Spritz: The Social Butterfly
Light, colorful, and made for long summer evenings, the Aperol Spritz is playful, refreshing, and feels like a vacation in a glass — perfect for backgammon nights that stretch into sunset.
It’s the ideal companion for your travel backgammon board or portable backgammon board, designed for spontaneous matches that last as long as the golden hour. Like all great social board games, it’s about connection, laughter, and that easy, effortless kind of fun that pairs perfectly with clinking glasses and friendly competition.
Recipe:
3 oz prosecco
2 oz Aperol
Splash of soda water
Orange slice, for garnish
Serve in a large wine glass over ice.
Bright, bubbly, and built for conversation.
Negroni: The Jetsetter’s Drink
Bitter, bold, and balanced, the Negroni is the ultimate jetsetter’s cocktail for game night. Invented in Florence in the early 20th century, it feels as stylish today as ever — a drink that pairs perfectly with a modern backgammon set or travel backgammon board tucked into your carry-on.
A match of backgammon with a Negroni in hand? That’s Italy meets the Aegean — chic, effortless, and best shared among friends. Like the game itself, this cocktail is handcrafted for connection and conversation, making it an ideal companion for lovers of social board games and the portable backgammon board lifestyle.
Recipe:
1 oz gin
1 oz Campari
1 oz sweet vermouth
Stir with ice, strain into a rocks glass, garnish with an orange slice.
A Clever Mocktail: “The Double”
Not every match needs alcohol — sometimes you want the ritual without the buzz. Enter The Double, a mocktail as refreshing as rolling a pair of sixes. Crisp, citrusy, and slightly herbal, it’s proof that game night ideas can be just as fun alcohol-free.
Whether you’re playing with a modern backgammon set or mixing things up with other social board games, The Double keeps the focus on connection and play. Crafted with simple, handcrafted ingredients and served in style, it pairs perfectly with the slow pace and camaraderie that make luxury board games so timeless.
Recipe:
3 oz sparkling water
2 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz honey syrup (equal parts honey + warm water)
Fresh thyme sprig
Shake juice and syrup with ice, top with sparkling water, and garnish with thyme.
Light, uplifting, and perfect for keeping your head clear as you plot your next move.
Margarita: The Crowd-Pleaser
A little zesty, a little salty, and always a fun choice for fun, casual game nights. Margaritas bring instant energy to any table. They’re the unofficial drink of spontaneous matches and friendly rivalries, best enjoyed outdoors with your dice cup in hand.
Much like backgammon itself, the Margarita is easy to love and endlessly replayable — no wonder it’s a staple at nights filled with laughter, good company, and the best games for entertaining.
Recipe:
2 oz tequila
1 oz lime juice
1 oz triple sec
Salt for rim
Shake, pour over ice, and garnish with a lime wheel. Feeling bold? Try a spicy Margarita variation, perfect for players who like a little heat with their competition.
Espresso Martini: The Night Owl
Because sometimes backgammon nights last longer than you planned. This modern classic keeps the energy going, adds a chic edge, and looks incredible served in its iconic coupe glass. Perfect for late-night matches with your travel backgammon board, when the conversation’s still flowing and no one’s ready to call it a night.
It’s the drink of choice for those who thrive on social board games, stylish, buzzy, and just the right amount of drama, much like the game itself.
Recipe:
1.5 oz vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur
1 oz fresh espresso
½ oz simple syrup
Shake hard with ice, strain into a chilled martini glass, and garnish with three coffee beans.
Stay sharp, you’ll need it for your next move.
Final Sip
Whether it’s champagne for the thrill, an Old Fashioned for strategy, or a playful mocktail for the win, the right drink makes game night sparkle. Backgammon isn’t just about the moves on the board, it’s about the atmosphere you create around it. With a modern backgammon set at your side and a cocktail in hand, every match becomes an occasion. So pour yourself something chic, roll the dice, and remember: the best luxury board games are played with style.