Well, folks, it all finally comes to a head today. There are three games left in the 2010-2011 NFL season, and two of them will be played today. We've been hearing the hype all week. . .much, much more than we should, quite frankly. . .about how important the NFC Championship Game is and how most of the media folks have already put one of these two particular teams in Dallas next weekend (ask Bear fans how well that worked out for their opponents the last time they hosted an NFC Championship Game), and blah blah blah. Mercifully, after today, only one of those teams will still be standing and, regardless of who it is, will give us a clear choice to root against in the Super Bowl in two weeks.
But we still have to make it through today, right? How do we go about doing that? Well, if you're not going anywhere or you have a designated driver, the advice I have for you comes from that wisest of sages, Senator John Blutarsky.
My advice to you? Start drinking heavily.
These Sunday morning posts have been sponsored by Absolut, and they do just happen to produce my favorite vodka. They've got a whole bunch of flavors that their vodka comes in, allowing you to add a little bit of variety to your drinks. I don't drink all that often myself, but here are a few drinks that we could potentially use to make today's early game just a little bit more bearable.
Absolut Bloody Mary
5 parts Absolut Peppar
3 parts tomato juice
2 dashes Worcestershire Sauce
2 dashes hot sauce
1 part lemon juice
1 celery stick
Fill a rocks glass with ice cubes. Add ABSOLUT Peppar, worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and hot sauce. Fill with tomato juice. Stir. Garnish with celery.
Bloody Mary not your thing? Prefer something a little sweeter instead? Well, then, try this on for size.
Absolut Hot Vanilla Apple
2 parts Absolut Vanilla
4 parts apple juice (warm to hot)
2 dashes of honey
1 spiral apple
1 cinnamon stick
Simply add all ingredients to a highball glass, and garnish with the apple and the cinnamon stick.
One more? Sure, how's about one more.
Absolut Crush
1 part Absolut Mandarin
3 parts orange juice
1 part Triple Sec
1 orange slice
Fill a shaker with ice cubes, and add all of the ingredients, save for the orange slice. Shake and strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with crushed ice, and garnish with the orange slice.
There you go. . .three drinks that could keep you much happier than you might normally be, given the circumstances of today's first playoff game. If none of these drinks tickle your fancy, there are many, many more recipes to be found at www.absolut.com.
And, remember, as always. . .make sure you have a plan and ENJOY WITH ABSOLUT RESPONSIBILITY®.