Oh Autumn how we love thee!  It is time for so much fun after we have barricaded ourselves in the grand relief of air conditioning, hiding from the blazing heat of summer!  We lovingly throw open the windows let the fresh air in, sit on the porch during cool mornings and then warm as the sun rises throughout the day.  We run and jump for joy at the gorgeous colors you make the tress, we happily pick apples and pumpkins and bake the most delicious desserts.  We rejoice at the sound of the school bus as it pulls away with the kiddies all inside.  And on Sunday’s we get ready and we cook, and we bake and then we go out and party in parking lots! Parking lots?!  What?!  Yes Tailgating that most cherished of pre game traditions is held in an ugly dirty crowded parking lot!  Just once I would love to have it at Park or in the backyard where the scenery is so more pleasant to look at and sometimes smell.(depending on who is Tailgating next to you!)

I am sure you all know who Phyllis Hoffman is.  She has the cutest and great party idea magazine that comes out once a Season.  This Autumn she has a great section on Tailgating, that is where I got the idea for this cocktail.  The picture shows a spread in the back of an SUV that is fit for the Queen when she is in residence at Balmoral! Of course there is a beautiful Plaid tablecloth in the photo so of course I am biased about this!  But really this is how tailgating should be done.  Maybe it would be too time consuming to go to a park and then make to the game on time.  Ok I can see that.  When you tailgate at the stadium you get there early and you don’t have to fight for a place to park or end up parking 1 mile away.  I get that is the main reason for tailgating in the parking lot.  So here is my proposal……

Let’s make this a 2 day event!!!!! On Saturday we have the great bang out party in the park and Sunday we go see the game! I mean we all love football right? So why should we just celebrate and have fun on one day of the weekend?  When we can have 2?!!!  I think that I have solved the problem. Hee Hee well maybe not so much as a problem as it is a way for me to have more time to play……

This Tea is quite strong and soooooooooo good. Can I say that again. Sooooooo good!! Make it and take in mason jars with lids and you have the perfect portable cocktail!  Now this would also be good warmed up and taken in a Thermos.  For the NorthEast football fans I am sure it is already getting quite Chilly!