A local sports bar in Atlanta has a cocktail called The Tailgater that contains “Grey Goose Orange, Coconut Rum, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple, and a splash of Cranberry”. This is absurd. First of all, a tailgating drink recipe shouldn’t contain more than three ingredients. And those ingredients shouldn’t be totally devoid of anything manly.
The last couple of years has brought on the emergence of “Sweet Tea Vodka” and when it’s mixed with lemonade is called a John Daly. But I still haven’t a heard a name stick for adding bourbon to an Arnold Palmer. So I humbly suggest The Tailgater. It combines four favorites of Southern fans: Football, Bourbon, Sweet Tea, and Lemonade. Not a bad drink to take the edge off hot September games either.
The Tailgater Recipe
In a plastic Solo cup filled with ice add the following then stir and garnish with a lemon. You can also favor the sweet tea more than the lemonade in the proportion.
2 oz Buffalo Trace Bourbon (roughly the bottom indention of the cup)
5 oz Sweet Tea
5 oz Lemonade
Gloves, hats, and layers will certainly warm your body during a cold weather tailgate, but who can afford gore tex? I suggest getting some hot liquid and liquor in one’s belly. And to that cause, it doesn’t get much easier and tastier than hot bourbon cider. You can heat up the cider on a camp stove and then pour it into a mug with bourbon. Sprinkle some ground cloves on top and then add a cinnamon stick. If it’s 30° and 7am on a Saturday morning you might as well try to stay warm and drunk.
1.5 oz Bourbon
6oz Hot Apple Cider
Ground Cloves
Cinnamon Stick
This simple grilled sandwich recipe is an adaptation of the French Jambon Beurre. But we couldn’t have anything with a fancy french name on a tailgating website. We use country ham to make this salty sandwich that’s great for lunch but also works at a breakfast tailgate because it’s essentially a foot long ham biscuit.
Ingredients:
Country Ham Slices
French Bread
Butter
Directions:
Place the slices of country ham directly on the grill. Cook over medium non direct heat for 2-3 minutes a side. Spread butter over both sides of the french bread and then place the cooked ham in the middle. Place the sandwich back on the grill for 1-2 minutes on each side. I would say it’s absolutely imperative that you wolf down this sandwich with a good cheap beer like Bud Light (and Freedom Fries).
Cherokee Distributing has a post with some standard tailgating tips. But most importantly they supplied a sample tailgating menu based on their opponent’s local fare and/or mascots. This is a good example of how you can diversify your offerings beyond fried chicken, burgers, etc.
You can also pick food styles and beverages that fit your tailgate whether they celebrate the home team or represent your opponent. That way you can try new things and enjoy some variety throughout the season. Here are some festive menu ideas for the first five big games the Vols will face this season:
Sept. 11 – vs. Oregon – in Knoxville – When the Ducks come to town, face the challenge head on by preparing grilled duck breast. To top it off, serve with Duck-Rabbit Amber Ale.
Sept. 18 – vs. Florida – in Knoxville – There’s only one thing to serve when playing the University of Florida, and that’s fried Gator tail. In celebration of the Orange and Blue crew coming to town, sip on a Blue Moon garnished with an orange slice.
Oct. 2 – vs. LSU – in Baton Rouge, La. – Whether you travel down to Louisiana or enjoy the game from home, the LSU showdown calls for a celebration of Cajun food. Prepare some spicy jambalaya – a yummy, hearty tailgating dish – and serve it with Abita Purple Haze, brewed in Abita Springs, just north of New Orleans.
Oct. 9 – vs. Georgia – in Athens, Ga. – When the Vols play the Bulldogs, it’s a classic rivalry that calls for a classic tailgating staple: hotdogs. But, why not mix it up and serve “Sloppy Dawgs” – in honor of how you may hope the opposing team will play! And with new UT Head Coach Derek Dooley returning to his hometown to coach against his law school alma mater – and where his dad Vince Dooley was legendary football coach for 25 years – pick up the Shiner Family Reunion variety pack for the occasion.
Oct. 23 – vs. Alabama – in Knoxville – When the Crimson Tide rolls in to Tennessee, it’s time to break out the barbeque. If you want to sample authentic Tide fare, order some Dreamland Bar-b-que sauce from the Tide’s hometown of Tuscaloosa. But, if you want to stay loyal to Big Orange Country, try the delicious sauces from local restaurants Calhoun’s, Sweet P’s BBQ and Soul House, Buddy’s bar-b-q or Dead End BBQ. Enjoy the southern staple with Twisted Tea Hard Iced Tea, a fun twist on the South’s favorite drink.
This is a really easy to make appetizer that can be prepared the night before tailgating. The recipe comes from Epicurious
Asparagus with Wasabi Mayonnaise Dip
Ingredients:
3 lb thin to medium Asparagus, trimmed
1 cup Mayonnaise
4 teaspoons Soy Sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons Sugar
2 teaspoons Fresh Lemon Juice
2 teaspoons Wasabi Paste or Powder (add more for spicier result)
Directions:
Blanch asparagus in 2 batches in a large saucepan of boiling salted water for 1 minute. Transfer to a colander and rinse under cold running water to stop cooking. Drain well and pat dry.
Whisk together mayonnaise, soy sauce, sugar, lemon juice, and wasabi paste until sugar is dissolved. Serve asparagus with dip.
A local sports bar in Atlanta has a cocktail called The Tailgater that contains “Grey Goose Orange, Coconut Rum, Peach Schnapps, Pineapple, and a splash of Cranberry”. This is absurd. First of all, a tailgating drink recipe shouldn’t contain more than three ingredients. And those ingredients shouldn’t be totally devoid of anything manly. 
