Wildcard Week: 10 Epic Hosting Ideas with the TRU Countertop Ice Maker
It’s Wildcard Week, football fans! As the excitement ramps up, make sure your game day hosting is as epic as the plays on the field. Whether you’re cheering on your team with friends, family, or a crowd of die-hard fans, the TRU Countertop Ice Maker is your MVP for game-day hosting. From creative drinks to surprising uses for ice, we’ve got 10 (+bonus) game-changing ideas to keep everyone refreshed and entertained. Read to the end to find an EPIC bonus recipe/hosting idea that is sure to seal your place as MVP! Also, check out the TRU Line of products to find more amazing appliances to level up your hosting game in 2025!
1. Touchdown ‘Tequila’ Sunrise Mocktail
Perfect for fans of all ages, this vibrant drink looks like a sunset over the stadium.
- Ingredients: Orange juice, grenadine, and lemon-lime soda.
- Instructions: Fill a glass with TRU’s perfectly chilled small bullet ice cubes. Add orange juice, top with lemon-lime soda, and gently pour grenadine for that iconic layered effect.
2. The Bourbon Blitz Lemonade
Kick up your hosting game with this sweet and tangy cocktail.
- Ingredients: Bourbon, lemonade, and a splash of sparkling water.
- Instructions: Add TRU’s large bullet ice cubes to a glass, pour in bourbon, top with lemonade, and finish with sparkling water. Garnish with a lemon slice.
3. The Fumble Float (Root Beer Edition)
A kid-friendly classic with a frosty twist.
- Ingredients: Root beer and vanilla ice cream.
- Instructions: Add a scoop of ice cream to a glass and fill with chilled root beer over TRU bullet ice for a creamy, fizzy treat.
4. Hail Mary Margarita
For the bold fans who live for the thrill of the game!
- Ingredients: Tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and agave nectar.
- Instructions: Shake ingredients with TRU ice, strain into a salt-rimmed glass over fresh ice, and garnish with a lime wheel.
5. Sideline Strawberry Slush
Keep it cool with a fruity, refreshing slush that’s easy to make.
- Ingredients: Strawberries, lemonade, and ice.
- Instructions: Blend strawberries with lemonade and a generous amount of TRU ice. Serve in a chilled glass and garnish with a mint sprig.
6. Game-Day Grog (Mocktail Version)
A tropical, citrusy drink perfect for bringing sunshine to Wildcard Week.
- Ingredients: Pineapple juice, orange juice, and ginger ale.
- Instructions: Add TRU ice to a glass, layer the juices, and top with ginger ale. Serve with a fun football-themed straw.
7. Cooler-Than-The-Quarterback Seafood Bar
Use TRU ice to keep your seafood display fresh and fabulous.
- Idea: Create a DIY seafood bar with chilled shrimp, crab legs, and oysters over a bed of TRU’s bullet ice. Your guests will feel like VIPs in the stadium suite!
8. Ice Bowl Chili Station
Not what you’d expect, but hear us out:
- Idea: Fill a large bowl with TRU ice and nest smaller bowls inside to keep chili toppings (like shredded cheese, sour cream, and jalapeños) chilled and fresh.
9. The Kickoff Cooler Sangria
Perfect for a crowd, this fruity drink scores big.
- Ingredients: Red wine, orange juice, soda water, and mixed fruit (oranges, apples, and berries).
- Instructions: Combine ingredients in a pitcher, add a mountain of TRU ice, and let the flavors meld. Serve in chilled glasses over fresh ice.
10. Victory Vanilla Iced Coffee
The perfect pick-me-up for late-night game-watchers.
- Ingredients: Cold brew coffee, vanilla syrup, and milk or cream.
- Instructions: Add TRU ice to a glass, pour cold brew over it, stir in vanilla syrup, and finish with a splash of cream.
Bonus Recipe: Chilled Ceviche Bar with Chips
A chilled ceviche bar is the ultimate crowd-pleaser for Wildcard Week! Pair fresh, zesty ceviche with crunchy chips, and use the TRU Countertop Ice Maker to keep everything perfectly chilled and fresh throughout the game.
What You’ll Need:
For the Ceviche:
- Fresh Fish or Shrimp: 1 pound (choose firm white fish like tilapia, or peeled and deveined shrimp)
- Citrus Marinade: 1 cup fresh lime juice and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
- Veggies & Herbs:
- 1/2 red onion, finely diced
- 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
- 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 medium tomato, diced
- 1 small cucumber, diced
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste
For the Setup:
- A large bowl or tray for serving
- A layer of TRU Countertop Ice Maker ice cubes to keep the ceviche chilled
- Tortilla chips, plantain chips, or crackers for dipping
- Optional garnishes: avocado slices, hot sauce, or extra lime wedges
Instructions:
- Prepare the Ceviche:
- Dice the fish or shrimp into small, bite-sized pieces.
- In a bowl, combine the citrus juices and submerge the seafood. Let it "cook" in the marinade for 20–30 minutes in the fridge until opaque and tender.
- Mix in Veggies & Seasoning:
- Once the seafood is ready, drain excess marinade (if desired) and mix in red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, tomato, and cucumber. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare the Chilled Display:
- Fill a large serving tray or bowl with TRU Countertop Ice Maker ice cubes. Place a smaller bowl on top for the ceviche, ensuring it stays cold and fresh throughout the party.
- Serve with Style:
- Surround the chilled ceviche with bowls of tortilla chips, plantain chips, or crackers for dipping. Add avocado slices or lime wedges as garnishes for a colorful and flavorful spread.
For extra flair, set up a "DIY Ceviche Bar" where guests can customize their ceviche with add-ons like diced mango, extra jalapeños, or hot sauce. Thanks to the TRU Ice Maker, your ceviche will stay perfectly chilled and delicious for hours.
Serve this alongside your game day drinks, and your Wildcard Week hosting will be a guaranteed win! 🏈🎉
Bonus Hosting Tips with the TRU Countertop Ice Maker
- Hydration Station: Keep a separate cooler with bottled water chilled over TRU ice to keep everyone hydrated.
- Quick Ice Refills: With fresh ice ready in just 6 minutes, you’ll never run out during those nail-biting overtime moments.
- Cleanup Made Easy: Use the self-cleaning function after the party for hassle-free maintenance.
With the TRU Countertop Ice Maker, you’re guaranteed to host a game day to remember. Whether it’s keeping your drinks icy cold, your seafood fresh, or your desserts indulgent, this appliance is the real MVP.
🏈 Ready to upgrade your hosting game? Get the TRU Countertop Ice Maker today for just $129.99 with free shipping and flexible Shop Pay Installments. Find other amazing products from the TRU line that are sure to level up your hosting this year.
Cheers to a Wildcard Week filled with epic moments on and off the field! 🎉
