For Super Bowl XVI, even bartenders got into the competition
The Super Bowl was coming to Detroit, and everyone wanted to get in on the action.
Three weeks before the big day, in January 1982, a hotel ballroom played host to a different kind of contest.
"Bartenders from around Detroit got together today and competed for Super Drink, which will be Michigan's official welcoming drink for the game," said CBC Windsor reporter Percy Hatfield.
The drinks they came up for judges to sample had names like the Option, the Blitz, Pigskin Punch, the Fizz and Sour Bowl.
The Referee's (off-field) Revenge
And then there was the Referee's Revenge.
It had Bailey's Irish Cream, Frangelico, orange juice, ice cream and an Oreo cookie garnish.
Why an Oreo?
"It's the black and white stripes, like a referee's jersey," explained its inventor, who was identified only as Fred.
Local bars would serve the three drinks chosen as semi-finalists and drinkers would fill out a ballot.
On top of the glory of claiming Detroit's favourite drink, the winner would be awarded a pair of tickets to Super Bowl XVI, which would pit the San Francisco 49ers against the Cincinnati Bengals.
