Are your Georgia Bulldogs opening the season with one of the four or so top ten teams they’re likely to encounter away from Sanford Stadium this year? Then you could probably use a drink, I can help you with that.
There’s been a good bit of speculation before this college football season kicks off about how the postseason will look at the end. Yes, it’s entirely likely that some teams will make the newly expanded college football playoff with 2 or even 3 losses.
But I don’t want the Red and Black to be one of those teams sweating out seeding at the end. “The playoff will make the regular season meaningless!” has been the battle cry of jaded college football purists. And while this may be true in general terms, the Bulldogs’ season gets entirely too exciting for my taste if it starts with a loss to the Country Gentlemen. If that occurs then those matchups with Alabama, Texas and Ole Miss later in the year take on that much more importance.
But if the Bulldogs do emerge victorious in this one they have a solid non-conference victory that is likely to look pretty good come seeding time. Win this one, and even if you drop one or even two of those tough SEC matchups later your playoff outlook likely still looks peachy.
And what’s the cocktail to enjoy when you’re hoping to emerge from a Clemson opener with your playoff chances Peachy clean?
The IPTAY. That’s not short for “I pay ten a year.” It stands for “It’s a peach tonic for all y’all.”
This one’s a twist on the traditional gin and tonic, one of the simplest and most iconic cocktails in history. It’s also a fantastically refreshing drink for these hot late summer days. This version adds the subtle sweetness of fresh peaches, a welcome change from the traditional tart acidity of the classic G&T. You’ll need:
- 1/2 sliced ripe peach
- 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 ounces London dry gin. Doesn’t have to be super fancy. Tanqueray or Bombay Sapphire is just fine.
- tonic water
- 1 and 1⁄2 ounces fresh squeezed lime juice
Place the peaches in a glass, sprinkle on the sugar and mash them briefly with a fork. You don’t want to do more than release some juice and pulp, not liquify them. You’re going to be eating them after you finish the drink unless I miss my guess. Next add ice and pour the gin over the ice and peach mixture. Top with the tonic, squeeze in the lime juice and stir to combine. Enjoy responsibly, and…
Go ‘Dawgs!!!