Jason Kelce Names His Favorite Go-To Cocktail That Fans Are Calling "Surprisingly Delicious" — Fri, Nov 21, 2025

Since retiring early last year from the NFL, Jason Kelce has been living life to its fullest.

Whether chiming in on ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown or appearing alongside his brother Travis on their New Heights podcast, the 37-year-old Kelce has certainly been enjoying his retirement years, remaining just as busy as ever.

In addition to his ongoing ventures, the popular spirit brand Ole Smoky Distillery has officially named Kelce their team captain for 2025’s football tailgating season, according to the company’s official website.

This marks the second year in a row that Kelce has been named Ole Smoky’s tailgating team captain, tying into the brand’s ongoing “C’mon Raise the Jar” campaign for the fall football season.

As part of the campaign, fans have a chance to enter a sweepstakes competition to win exclusive giveaways from Ole Smoky, including T-shirts, reusable water bottles, coolers and convenient pong sets.

To celebrate the new campaign, Kelce has also revealed some of his favorite go-to beverages when tailgating, including the inventive-sounding (and surprisingly easy to make) Apple Ginger Tailgate cocktail.

Combining two simple ingredients, the Apple Ginger Tailgate calls for 2 ounces of Ole Smoky Apple Pie Moonshine and 3 ounces of non-alcoholic ginger ale.

It’s a fast, straightforward recipe perfect for every game-day activity, as well as serving as “a light, refreshing and convenient addition to your upcoming barbecues, watch parties and family gatherings this fall season,” a representative for the brand told us over email.

To further hype up the collaboration, Ole Smoky and Travis Kelce even worked together to make a humorous video advertising their latest partnership.

In said video, Kelce struggles to keep up with various drink orders at Ole Smoky Distillery, hurriedly cramming an entire apple pie into a high-ball glass and coating it in the brand’s Apple Pie Moonshine.

Other tailgating cocktails highlighted on Ole Smoky’s website include the Blackberry Kick Off Lemonade (Blackberry Moonshine and lemonade), Strawberry ‘Shine & Soda (Strawberry Moonshine and club soda) and Spiked Apple (Apple Pie Moonshine and either wheat or lager beer).

Source: Parade (Richard Chachowski), October 2025