The "44" Cocktail

So in honor of Jools Sinclair's recent visit to my blog, I created a cocktail inspired by her books. This is called the "44," and it's named after Jools' wonderful series by the same name. It uses Crater Lake Vodka made by the Bend Distillery, a company based in the same town that the 44 series takes place. It also has black cherry juice, which gives it a kind of murky look -- I imagine kind of like the lake that Abby Craig drowns in at the beginning of the series. Also, it uses Earl Grey simple syrup, which is fitting because Abby and her sister Kate drink a lot of tea. Plus, I think the whole series has a very classic English ghost story feel to it, which the Earl Grey simple syrup represents.

So here's the recipe if you'd like to recreate the 44 at home. I think this would also be a killer drink for Halloween, if you're thinking that far ahead. Happy drinking!

The "44" Cocktail

2 ounces of Crater Lake Vodka

2 1/2 ounces of black cherry juice

1/2 ounce of Earl Grey simple syrup*

Add all the ingredients in cocktail shaker with lots of ice. Shake until well mixed and icy cold, then strain into a martini glass. Drink while reading the latest book in the 44 series. Bottoms up!

* To make the Earl Grey simple syrup, combine 1/2 a cup of sugar and 1/2 a cup of water in a saucepan. Simmer it until sugar grains dissolve completely. Add an Earl Grey tea bag to cooling syrup, and let steep. Keep refrigerated.

Next on the blog, I make an exciting announcement about my next book. Check back in soon!

Writer at the Bar: Jack Rose

This is, hands down, my favorite drink. I love it not only for its vibrant pink color and smooth flavor, but because it’s a drink with true style. This recipe is featured in "Mix Shake Stir" by Danny Meyer – which is full of amazing drink recipes. According to the book, the Jack Rose was a favorite of Hemingway and Bogart. And when you taste it, you’ll see why. Plus, the drink uses Laird’s Apple Jack, which is a delicious apple brandy from New Jersey that has been around since colonial times. Very stylish indeed.

Jack Rose
2 ounces of Laird’s Apple Jack
1 ounce of fresh lime juice
1 ounce of Grenadine

Measure out all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until icy cold. Strain into martini glass, drink, and think about your next Great American Novel.

Writer at the Bar: Clove Clementine Sidecar

I thought it was high time to add a little more pizazz to my blog. I think it needs a little more fun (couldn’t we all?) One of my goals for the New Year was to do just that, so in that spirit, I’m going to try and infuse a little life into The Plot.

Writing is hard work, and sometimes, you just need to take a break and head for the bar. I’m no mixologist, but I do enjoy making tasty cocktails (and drinking them) from time to time. Here is the first in a series of weekly posts that feature me doing just that. I will be posting this series on Mondays because I figure that if you’re anything like me, you might be thinking a lot about Friday right about now. Hopefully, this gives you a little hope.

This weekend, I was inspired to make a variation of the Sidecar Cocktail using some amazingly delicious Clementines that were in the house. I bought a five-pound box a few days ago, and they’re probably some of the tastiest citrus fruit I’ve ever had. I based this recipe on one that appeared in Sunset Magazine. It uses a sugar-clove mixture to coat the rim of the glass that tastes phenomenal with the citrus flavor of the drink. Also, one of my favorite things about making this drink is that you get to muddle! Always a bonus.

Clove Clementine Sidecar

Makes one drink

3 tbsp of sugar

1 tsp ground cloves

2 clementines, quartered

½ lemon, quartered

ice

2 ounces of Whisky (I used Dickel, but feel free to use whatever you like. Also, feel free to be a little heavy-handed here ;)

Use 1 tbsp of the sugar and mix with the ground clover. Spread over a plate. Rim the edge of a Martini glass with lemon juice, then holding it upside down at an angle, run it through the sugar-clove mixture until coated.

In a cocktail shaker, add 2 tbsp of sugar, the clementines, and lemon (you can add them all with the peel still on.) Use a muddler or back of a spoon to muddle the fruit with the sugar. Add half a cup of ice, and whisky. Shake until the shaker becomes icy cold.

Strain into the rimmed martini glass with a fine strainer, and enjoy!

Cherry Mojito

Just wanted to share a photo of the Cherry Mojitos I made this weekend. LOVED this drink! The recipe is from Kathy Casey's Northwest Table cookbook. This drink is so good, I'm basing my next series on it. You might think that's crazy, but try it sometime, and see what inspires you!