Some guys like football. Others love baseball. For me, the game I can’t keep my attention away from has always been basketball.

March, of course, is a special time for basketball fans, because it’s when the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships start. Since I’m the one permanently glued on ESPN and CBS for the games, it’s only natural that I often end up playing host to my friends who want to enjoy the game with some food, drinks and good company.

While my wife tolerates my March to April obsession, she isn’t really into the whole deal of watching kids shoot balls in single-elimination tournaments. As such, most of my March Madness parties end up being “game days” for the boys!

I try to vary food and drinks whenever I have friends over to watch but, most of the time, beer and chicken work just fine. During special times, though, like when my favorite teams play, I like to pull out the secret recipes (which aren’t really secret since I only picked them up from a magazine).

Beer Dip

First is the Beer Dip. Yep, you heard that right. Instead of serving chips and crisps with some regular dips, I take the time to make an alcohol-infused sauce. It’s pretty easy too, requiring only a package of dip mix (any brand you can find, although it’s best if it’s regular no-garnish flavor), a good heap of cream cheese, a bottle of beer and shredded cheddar cheese. Just pile them all together, mix and taste. Add whatever seems lacking.

The Bubble

Next, I like preparing a special champagne cocktail called The Bubble. This one’s pretty hit or miss (depending on the wine I end up using) but it usually turns out good. For best results I recommend an Inniskillin Oak Age Ice Wine although any similar drink will do. To make a glass, simply put an ounce of the Ice Wine, an ounce of Lychee juice and 3 ounces of Brut Champagne. Your guy friends will never look at you the same - but they’ll keep asking for more!