Major League Baseball can conjure up images of a hot summer days spent sitting in the stands, or dazzling firework displays after a Fourth of July game. My fondest baseball memories have occurred during the Fall, when the fate of a team can be dangling in midair like a hanging slider.
I am a fan of the Philadelphia Phillies, so I have not had much reason to celebrate the past few autumns. There was a time, however, when the Phillies were making memorable plays on many an October night. There is one such play that really stands out in my mind, and I think will always stick with me.
It was game four of the 2008 National League Championship Series. The Phillies were facing the Los Angles Dodgers, led by showboating Manny Ramirez. I was watching the game at my friend Neal’s house, who is probably the biggest Phillies fan that I know.
This is Neal.
The game was a nail-bitter. It was a back-and-forth battle, where both teams were trying desperately to hold on to a slim lead. In the top of the eighth, the game was tied with a man on first and two outs. That’s when the Phillies called on journeyman Matt Stairs to pinch hit. Looking like he just hopped out of the cab of a 18-wheeler, Stairs stepped to the plate and blasted a two-run homer to right field. The Phillies took the lead, won the game, and later went on to advance to the World Series.
Neal and I drank a lot of whiskey that night in jubilant celebration of what we had just witnessed. When Templeton Rye asked me to craft a cocktail in the spirit of MLB for their Batter Up! campaign, I thought it would be fun to try to capture the essence of that memory.
I found Templeton Rye to be incredibly smooth and drinkable, with some subtle spicy notes. I figured it would pair well with fresh apple juice, a taste of Fall if their ever was one. I added some ginger beer for some more spice and fizz, and a lemon to brighten and accentuate the flavors. I think the result made a tasty drink that can be enjoyed anytime of year.
Hopefully, if the Phillies can pull it together, I’ll be enjoying a lot of these in October.
Phall Classic
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces Templeton Rye
- 2 ounces fresh apple juice
- 3 ounces ginger beer
- lemon slices for garnish
Instructions
- Add the rye and apple juice to a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake vigorously.
- Strain the mixture into a collins glass filled with ice. Top off with the ginger beer.
- Garnish with lemon slices and enjoy!
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