ELEVATED TAILGATING

By Doc Lawrence

The NFL has never before fielded more style-savvy players and colleges aren’t far behind. These professional guys are rocking tuxedos, making best-dressed lists, starting their own bowtie line. And yet, we continue to celebrate elevated style by decamping in a parking lot and guzzling pedestrian beer. It seems, well, wrong.

Lets class up the joint a bit.

To be sure, upscale tailgating is nothing new. Colleges like Virginia’s Emory & Henry and Hampton-Sydney, plus Kentucky’s Centre College have the fancy tailgate established as a long-standing tradition. Like something out of The Great Gatsby, men and their dates would spread across the grassy hills near the stadium and watch the action from there; all the while sipping cocktails while clad in bow ties and sundresses. Today, as more become mainstream spectators consuming their drinks and enjoying gourmet food in the parking lot like mere mortals, the rest of it stuck around: nice dress, nice drinks, nice food.  And, after all, why wouldn’t it?

DRESS TO IMPRESS

Fine, bow ties are a stretch. But there’s no need to look like a slob. Keep the jeans slim, the sneakers hip, and the paraphernalia to a minimum (do you really need the shirt, the hat, the hoodie, and the foam finger?)

FEED THE BEAST

Instead of franks, go for quality sausages on quality buns (or, go crazy, and use brioche). Instead of burgers, spring for a marinated flank steak. Cold roast beef and horseradish on rolls will make you look like a master chef. French-style potato salad with mustard instead of mayonnaise is going to be your new favorite thing. Chips? Sure, why not. But spring for the kettle-cooked version; they’re heartier anyway.

DRINK IN STYLE

The Seelbach Cocktail

Don’t get me wrong, beer is swell. An icy bottle on a hot day is obviously a thing of beauty. But there’s also something to be said for pushing boundaries. Lets talk champagne.

I know, I know. Champagne, you think, is solely for the ladies? Think again. A simple, sophisticated champagne cocktail works wonders. And, yes, it doesn’t hurt that a well-made version will make you a hero to the fairer sex. I recently became especially enamored of the Seelbach Cocktail through the expertise of Louisville’s legendary Joy Perrine, a delight that incorporates bourbon. Nothing with bourbon can be anything less than manly. And legend has it that this was Daisy’s (The Great Gatsby) favorite.

                                  THE SEELBACH COCKTAIL

2 ounces bourbon
1 ounce Cointreau
14 dashes Peychaud's Bitters
14 dashes Angostura Bitters
Chilled brut Champagne or sparkling wine
2 orange twists, for garnish

Divide the bourbon, Cointreau, and the two bitters between two flute glasses. Stir briefly.Fill the flutes almost to the top with the chilled sparkling wine. Stir. Garnish with the orange twists and enjoy.

(thanks to Brooks Brothers for the great style ideas!)