Food and Beverage: Gator Gameday Spezi

Orange and Blue!

This drink is simple to make and quite refreshing on a hot Saturday afternoon! It's called Spezi ("shpaytzee") and essentially it's a 50/50 mix of cola and orange soda. Never heard of it? It comes from Germany, where mischgetränke ("mixed drinks") are particularly popular. Other popular mixed drinks include lemon soda and beer (Radler) and cola and beer (many names, but Colaweizen and Diesel are most common). Apfelschorle is half apple juice, half sparkling water. It's a German phenomenon.

Well then, that's all fine but why drink it on Saturdays? Here's why. When you mix orange soda and Pepsi, it's orange and blue, of course! Or at least the cans are. And you can usually find Pepsi and Crush on sale at Publix. And Pepsi is UF's official soda sponsor! And it really is a refreshing and unique beverage, perfectly suited for Florida's fall weather.

Ingredients:

• Pepsi (or other cola)
• Crush (or other orange soda)

Instructions:

• Pour one part Pepsi and one part Crush into a cup or glass
• Voilà!