Upgrade Your Tailgate Cocktails
Now that we are fully into football season, it’s time to get our pregame in proper order. Just because we’ll be tailgating in a parking lot doesn’t mean we have to settle for average, poorly crafted drinks. We asked local experts in four college towns to give us their recommendations for a few cocktails that would standout from the crowd.
Athens, Georgia – The Branded Butcher
The American Vesper
1 oz American Sprit White Whiskey
1 oz Hayman’s Old Tom Gin
1/2 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
1/2 oz Lemon Juice
1/2 oz Simple Syrup
Place all ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake hard. Strain ingredients into a glass. Add a lemon rind.
Chapel Hill, North Carolina – The Crunkleton
The Kentucky Lucky
2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon Whiskey
1 oz Tanqueray Gin
1 oz Cocchi Americano Apertivo (substitute Lillet Blanc if not available)
2 Dashes Regan’s Orange Bitters
Put all of the ingredients in a Boston shaker with ice and stir for 20 rotations. Strain into a glass and garnish with a swath of orange peel.
Oxford, Mississippi – Snackbar
French Resistance
1.5 oz Armagnac VSOP Brandy
.75 oz Dolin Sweet Vermouth
.75 oz Dolin Blanc Vermouth
Combine the ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir and strain into a glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
Austin, Texas – The Tigress
The Mitchie
1/2 Reposado Tequila
1/2 Tomato Juice
2 Dashes of Sriracha Sauce
1 Dash Cholula
Mexican Beer
Shaken, strain over ice into a pint glass. Top with Mexican beer. Squeeze half a lime over and drop it in. Add some onion and jalapeño slices as garnish.
Note:
• These ingredients are the bartenders’ preferred brands to use; however if an option is not available in your area, switch it out with what you can find.
• Check out our sister publication, Manner & Lane, for four additional cocktails recommended for the ladies at your tailgate.
Photo by Ben Rollins
