Hey, Reader!

Ah, March Madness. The magical time of year when those of us who don't closely follow college basketball use our intuition — AKA favorite colors and mascots — to predict which team will come out on top.

If you're like me, the tournament isn't so much must-see TV as it is a chance to get together with friends and share some drinks as we cheer on a team.

Here are the drinks I think are going to be winners while watching:

sweet 16

With plenty of tournament left to go, start with sessionable sippers that are easy to make. Beermosas and micheladas are beer-based twists on classic brunch drinks—the mimosa and the bloody mary, respectively.

elite eight

When the stakes ramp up, you may need something a little stronger. A margarita or mojito quenches your thirst while your team hopefully clinches their spot. These sippers are also easy to customize with team colors — try a blood orange margarita or strawberry mojito to match your favorites.

final four

As the competition heat up, your drinks should too! Sangrita can be sipped alongside tequila or mixed into cocktails while the jalapeño mule double teams your taste buds with a punch of sweet and spicy.

championship

Raise a glass to the winner (even if it's not who you were hoping) with a bubbly beverage. Try a champagne margarita or lemon champagne punch, which are perfect for celebrating.

alternates

I find it nice to have some non-alcoholic options available for those who prefer them. Agua fresca comes in plenty of colors and flavors to coordinate for team spirit while the virgin margarita is always a hit. Infused water is another easy option to stay hydrated.

Let me know which of these drinks ends up as your top seed or if you have any other fun March Madness traditions to share.

Go team(s)!

Susannah