How to Celebrate NBA Season From Home

October 17, 2022

Like lightning court speed, the 77th season of the National Basketball Association (NBA) is suddenly upon us. From double dribbles to dunks and everything in between, the return of our renowned championship deserves a celebration.

Spawning a roster of sporting (not just basketball) icons that include Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and the late, great Kobe Bryant, there is no doubt the NBA embodies greatness.

We’ve developed this guide so you and your fellow NBA-loving friends have everything you need to celebrate NBA season.

Chose Your Snacks

Whether it’s the Los Angeles Lakers or last season’s victors — the Golden State Warriors — you need something to munch on while watching your favorite NBA team rack up points. Basketball is a fast-paced game, so think of bite-sized snacks you can rustle up at halftime or make in advance so you don’t miss a slice of the action.

Pizza bombs offer a handheld flavor explosion with all your favorite ingredients stuffed inside little balls of biscuit dough. Once you’ve created your bombs, they can be baked to cheesy and tomatoey perfection in 15 minutes — ideal for launching in the oven during the half-time interval.

Loaded nachos or a couple of bags of tortilla or pita chips will never go amiss. However, rather than accompanying them with the usual guac, salsa, and sour cream, why not have a go at our delicious Reuben dip? If you’ve ever been to the Big Apple or are a fan of the New York Nicks, you’ll be familiar with the Reuben sandwich. We’ve adapted this glorious grilled sandwich into a hot baked dip so you can take your snack game to the next level.

Our final snack suggestion is another one you’ll need to prepare ahead of time — bacon-wrapped sausage meatballs. Golden-brown and crispy bacon on the outside, with a succulent sausage and stuffing mix lurking inside, these juicy and meaty delights are a winning two-bite appetizer.

Pour some drinks

So, you’ve covered all snack bases, but what about a little something to quench your thirst?

Beer is always a popular choice for game day. Beat your guests to the dunk by grabbing a few cold ones from the fridge and claiming a prime viewing spot on the couch. If you want an easy-drinking beer, they don’t come much easier than the Big Easy IPA. Brewed with lemon peels, it’s refreshing and highly drinkable with big hoppy citrus, fruit, and pine flavors.

On the other hand, why not toast your favorite team with a spot of bubbly? If you’re feeling fancy, you could show off your mixology skills by knocking up some cocktails ahead of time. Whiskey-based cocktails such as a Manhattan or Old Fashioned are timeless in taste with their mellow sweetness while also being deliciously different.

Negronis are another brilliant “make ahead of time” cocktail. This classic Italian drink is energizing and light on the palate and requires just three ingredients (gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari).

There’s nothing wrong with calling the shots from time to time, whether it’s tequila, vodka, or another single gulper. Given the high-scoring nature of basketball, we don’t recommend sinking one back every time the ball is put through the basket, but they’re a great way to get your NBA party started.

Halftime games

While halftime gives you a chance to catch your breath and take stock of your refreshment situation, it’s also the optimum moment to organize some interactive games.

Think you’re the biggest NBA guru in your crew? Challenge your friends to an NBA-themed trivia contest and find out who really knows their Raptors from their Rockets.

Alternatively, why not start a game of charades, albeit with an NBA twist? A few words to get you playing and guessing: circus shot, double dribble, free-throw line, loose ball foul, pump fake, run, and gun.

Before you know it, you’ve turned what was set to be 15 minutes of boredom into an energizing interval for you and your guests.

Smoke Cigars

Cigars may symbolize success, but you don’t need to wait until the end of the game to enjoy a well-deserved puff. Win, lose or draw, light up one or more of the premium smokes we’ve highlighted below that are ideally suited for another frenetic and fast-paced NBA season.

Davidoff Winston Churchill

This fantastic burning and drawing stogie gleams with a dark reddish hue and is another world-class smoke rolling out of the Davidoff factory.

Named in honor of Great Britain’s victorious wartime Prime Minister, the Davidoff Winston Churchill is a cigar fitting of any celebration, especially the beginning of the NBA season. Creamy and chocolatey with a subtle richness, its manifesto includes notes of leather, almond, caramel, and espresso notes.

Buy Now

Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Churchill

A steady burner measuring an impressive 7 inches long by 56 ring gauge, the Romeo by Romeo y Julieta Churchill will keep you entertained for large parts of the opening match-ups.

Cloaked in a flavorful, smooth cinnamon-colored Ecuadorian Habano wrapper, rich hits of earth, cedar, pepper, and dark chocolate make this full-bodied smoke one of the leading non-Cuban Romeos.

Buy Now

Cohiba Blue Churchill

Featuring a fabulous three-nation blend, the Cohiba Blue Churchill has a hint of spice at the beginning before developing into velvety charms of cocoa, cinnamon, dark butterscotch, and creamy earth.

The binder and gingerbread-hued wrapper hail from the country’s Olancho San Agustín region and shows the best of what Honduras has to offer. Another classic Cohiba can proudly put their name to, sit back on the defense, and slowly smoke over a couple of hours for maximum satisfaction.

Buy Now

Undercrown 10 Corona Doble

The incredibly popular Undercrown line brought out this luxury smoke to mark its 10th anniversary. From the gold ribbon draped over the cigar to its flawless dark coffee wrapper free from blemishes or veins, the Undercrown 10 Corona Doble dresses to impress.

Once you’ve toasted its sweet and spicy foot, you are rewarded with a slam dunk of rich notes, including baking spices, semi-sweet chocolate, and hickory. Floral hints and a trickle of warm honey provide the final flourishes on an outstanding commemorative release from Drew Estate.

Buy Now

H. Upmann 175th Anniversary

Perfect with a strong drink (like an old-fashioned), this full-bodied, limited edition Nicaraguan puro celebrates the 175th anniversary of the legendary H. Upmann brand.

Expertly blended by A.J. Fernandez and rolled at his factory in Nicaragua, you’ll be greeted with a complex bouquet of chocolate and leather notes, along with some white pepper, cashews, and vanilla.

It’s yet another cigar on our list we can bookmark under the luxury bracket and one you certainly won’t want to pass on.

Buy Now

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

What's trending now...