My cup brimmeth over

So today is the big day eh? The expectations of a billion people, of a cricket-crazy nation ride on the some young, some not so young, some fit, some not so fit, but devastatingly talented Indian team.  As tension reaches a feverish pitch (yes, pun intended) and Indians all over are set to Bleed Blue (yours truly notwithstanding) I have my own predictions for today’s big game.

The key players according to me will be three of our finest, in-form men, who according to me have the ability to change the face of the game. Based on their personality, style of batting/bowling, I have decided what cocktail best represents them…and yes, I will be drinking these in abundance.

Here’s my pick:

Sachin Tendulkar: The baap of cricket, the man that Brian Lara wants his son to be, the man Barack Obama wants to watch in action and the man who has every Indian swooning with his clean, classy yet explosive style. For him, it’s gotta be the Caprioska, with its clean and crisp flavour.

Caprioska

·         Whole, quartered lime

·         Teaspoon brown sugar

·         35ml vodka

·         Lots Crushed ice

·         Some soda water

Instructions: Slice lime, muddle with sugar your chosen glass. Fill glass with crushed ice and pour on the vodka, top up with Soda water, gently mix and then serve. Try adding some blueberries, strawberries or other fruit in to the muddle for an extra twist.

Yuvraj Singh: A lot has been said about his level of fitness, whether or not he deserves a place in the side but Yuvi has proved them wrong and how. Clearly, the man can bat…but what has surprised many is his prowess with the ball. Both on and off the field, quite a strong, heady mix, he is best complemented with a highball drink like Long Island Ice Tea…sure to knock your socks off!

Long Island Iced Tea

·         1 part vodka

·         1 part 1800® Tequila

·         1 part rum

·         1 part gin

·         1 part triple sec

·         1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix

·         1 splash Cola

Instructions: Mix ingredients together over ice in a glass. Pour into a shaker and give one brisk shake. Pour back into the glass and make sure there is a touch of fizz at the top. Garnish with lemon.

Suresh Raina: Our captain cool should learn a trick or two out from this young man. Always a picture of calm, I personally believe it is he who won the game for India during the last match. His cool demeanour has me likening him to something that had crushed ice, but is potent at the same time…so what better than a frozen margarita?

Frozen Margarita

2 tsp coarse salt

1 lime wedge

3 oz white tequila

1 oz triple sec

2 oz lime juice

1 cup crushed ice

Instructions: Place salt in a saucer. Rub rim of a cocktail glass with lime wedge and dip glass into salt to coat rim thoroughly, reserve lime. Pour tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and crushed ice into a blender. Blend well at high speed. Pour into a cocktail glass.