If your Georgia Bulldogs are headed down to Jacksonville looking to string together two complete football games for the first time all season, and to do so against a Gator team playing their best football of the year, you could probably use a drink.
I can help you with that.
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is perennially a game whose outcome bears little to no correlation with pregame predictions. The participants are often coming off bye weeks, and as a result sometimes look very different what what they looked like before. And the game’s particular placement late in the schedule means that there’s little reason to hold anything back.
This year there are a variety of factors that make things super unpredictable. One is Florida freshman quarterback DJ Lagway. He’s extremely talented, and if he’s in Gainesville next season (which I sort of doubt) he’s going to be a real problem. Already he’s likely good for a couple of big downfield plays, and those could make a real difference in this one.
Another factor is Gator head coach Billy Napier’s tenuous job security. Napier reminds me a little of the character of Westley in the novel The Princess Bride (played by Cary Elwes in the movie version).
(Stop here if you’re worried about spoilers from a 37 year old movie.)
Westley, an ambitious farm boy, went off to seek his fortune but ended up captured by the notorious Dread Pirate Roberts, who supposedly never left a prisoner alive. Roberts however took a liking to Westley, and hired him as a personal attendant. While the Dread Pirate Roberts was impressed with Westley’s work, he continued to keep Westley’s future in doubt by saying each night “Good night, Westley. Good work. Sleep well. I’ll most likely kill you in the morning.” This went on for three years.
Spoiler: Westley did not die.
I can’t yet predict that the same will be the case for Sunbelt Billy’s career.
The Gators are coming off a convincing win over Kentucky. That followed a hard fought close road loss to a favored Tennessee.
“Good work, Billy.” it seems the Florida administration is likely saying, “Sleep Well. We’ll most likely be firing you next week.”
After the Cocktail Party the Low Rent Lizards play Texas, Ole Miss, LSU, and Florida State to finish the season. They must win two of those games to reach bowl eligibility. If Napier could steal a win over the Bulldogs it still might not save his job, especially if he spits the bit in the other games. Losing to FSU would certainly be the end for him. But beating Georgia would make it a lot harder to fire him, especially if he can snatch another win from the likes of an inconsistent Ole Miss or LSU. This weekend is probably the game in this stretch that would earn him the most credit, and most credibly allow him to argue that he’s got things moving in the right direction.
So I expect Napier to throw everything his team has at the Bulldogs. Look for aggressive playcalling on both sides of the ball, some chances taken in the kicking game, and likely a trick play or three. Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose, and when you fear the athletic director is about to set you free, you coach like you have nothing to lose. That can turn out extremely well, or extremely badly.
So what’s the drink for the game in which Billy Napier discovers his inner pirate, throws caution to the wind, and hoists the Jolly Roger to try to save his floundering tenure in the Swamplands?
A Dread Pirate Billy.
It’s a simple rum punch fit for a humble 4-3 swashbuckler, and a drink that I like for the Cocktail Party. It can be made in batches to serve an army, it’s not too fussy (because, have you been to Jacksonville?), and keeps you cool on an unseasonably warm afternoon on the First Coast. You’ll need:
- 3 cups pineapple juice
- 2 cups orange juice
- 1 cup of cranberry juice
- 2 cups gold or dark rum
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 6 tablespoons grenadine syrup
- Citrus slices (For garnish)
- Maraschino cherries (Ditto)
This recipe makes six servings. So feel free to double, triple, or octuple the measurements as needed.
Prepare your garnishes beforehand by skewering citrus slices and cherries on toothpicks or cocktail sticks.
In a large pitcher mix the pineapple, orange, cranberry and lime juices. Add the rum and set aside.
Into each individual serving glass pour in one tablespoon of the grenadine syrup. Fill the glass with ice. When ready to serve, pour the rum punch into each glass to create a sunset effect. Enjoy responsibly, and….
Go ‘Dawgs!!!