Sunday, December 11, 2011

A Drink, A Book and Holiday Cheer: Louisa Edwards



Well, like all good things our Holiday party must come to an end, but because here at RBtWBC we like to go out with a bang, I have one last guest joining us. (As does Shannon at Cocktails and Books.) Everyone, say hi to Louisa Edwards! Louisa knows a little something about yummy drinks and hot books that will definitely leave you with some good cheer! 



Hello to the lovely ladies (and gentlemen?) of Reading Between the Wines! Is there any better combo than hot romance and cool cocktails? I’m so excited to be here today sharing my favorite holiday drink recipe.

There’s so much to love about the holidays—and so much to stress out about, which is why I have a LOT of favorite holiday cocktails. My tastes range all over the globe, from my family’s southern eggnog to glogg, the spiced warm wine traditionally drunk in Sweden, to margaritas (I live in Austin! Margaritas are appropriate to every time of year here) or a straight up bourbon manhattan (when things get really rough.)

But for some reason, this year all I want is Kir Royale.

Okay, sure, it’s pretty and red for the holidays, nice and festive—but I blame Danny Lunden and Eva Jansen, the hero and heroine of my latest release, Some Like it Hot.

Eva “The Diva” Jansen is definitely a champagne drinker. And even though she’s not as spoiled as Danny thinks when he first meets her, he still likes to spoil her every now and then by fixing her a special cocktail. Of course, Danny, being a pastry chef, prefers his drinks on the sweet side…hence the classic Kir Royale! Its perfect combination of glamour and sweetness is what Danny, a pretty classic guy himself, serves his true love.

Mix up a batch of this super simple cocktail, and I guarantee everyone who drinks one will feel as elegant and bubbly as Miss Eva Diva!

What You Need:

Chilled brut champagne or sparkling wine (I love Gruet, from New Mexico—super tasty and usually priced at around $15 a bottle)
Crème de Cassis (black currant liqueur)
Whole lemon (optional—for garnish)

What You Do:

Fill a champagne flute ¾ full of sparkling wine, then add about a teaspoonful of crème de cassis—enough to give it a beautiful red color. If you like things sweet (like Danny!) add a little more. It’s okay to taste as you go and figure out the right proportion for your tastebuds.

To make it extra fancy, grab your lemon and give it a good rinse. Then take a sharp vegetable peeler and shave off a nice curl of lemon peel. Twist the peel over the Kir Royale and drop it in—not only is it pretty, it’ll give the drink a nice citrus finish.

And that’s all there is to! Classic, elegant, but in a fun, kicky color—and you can never go wrong serving (or drinking) a bubbly cocktail.

Enjoy! And if you’d like to see more of Eva and Danny, check out this nice, long excerpt from Some Like it Hot. 



~*GIVEAWAY*~
Louisa is graciously giving away one copy of Some Like it Hot to one lucky reader (Int. resident will receive an unsigned copy). To enter, just leave a comment on this post and then fill out the rafflecopter with your name and email address. Additional entries are available but not mandatory. Good Luck!  



23 comments:

  1. I like a late night hot cup of cocoa with my late night hot books :)

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  2. i love kirr royal too buti've a tendency to create new drink for my family ( but me i stay to what i know pisang orange or kirr) ^^;;

    thansk you for the giveaway

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  3. I've always thought food and romance go nicely together =)

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  4. I have been wanting to read Louisa's Some Like It Hot! Food and romance rock!

    kscathy at yahoo dot com

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  5. What a perfect choice of book giveaway to go with the holiday drink recipes. Yes, a hot tender chef would know a thing or two about sweet.

    Thanks for the share both book and recipe sound good.

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  6. Kir Royale - sounds so elegant .. and good! Thanks for the recipe.

    Not entering contest because I just won (and can't wait to start reading) Some Like It Hot!

    Thanks!

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  7. I would love to read this book. It sounds very good. Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  8. Thank you for the recipe! This is much better than just having sparkling wine! I'd also very much love to read this book =D

    Thank you for the chance to win
    emilytardy@yahoo.com

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  9. Awesome post, looks yummy!

    Julie James rec'd this book to me. I need to get my butt moving and read this soon! Thanks for the chance.

    Annie

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  10. Love the cover of this book. That is the first thing I noticed about it. I have heard great things about Louisa's books, but have not had a chance to read any. I also love the title of this book and would love to win and read it. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
    christinebails@yahoo.com

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  11. Could never turn down a pastry, and a nice cocktail is quite enjoyable too - this book likes it would be quite a tasty read.

    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  12. Thanks for a great post and giveaway! I haven't been fortunate enough to be able to read any of Ms. Edwards' books but I've heard such great buzz about them, they are on the top of my wishlist! Thanks for the great recipe. Will need to try it :)

    Happy Holidays!

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  13. I would just love to read SOME LIKE IT HOT thank you!!

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  14. I have a strange urge to do my laundry on his abs. Hmmm lol

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  15. That cover sure is Hot. Thanks for the recipe. Look forward to reading Some Like It Hot.
    Happy Holidays.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  16. Oh My!! I love this cover, yummm :) Great recipe, though I am allergic to alcohol, I will pass this recipe to my sis. She'll love it :)

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  17. Smokin' cover! And the drink looks tasty too :)
    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

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  18. Oh, that drink sounds yummy! I may need to try this one..soon!

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  19. I love Louisa's books and I can't wait to get my hands on this one.

    Jen @ RtB

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  20. Yum that drink sounds delicious and the book sounds great too! Thanks for the giveaway! :)

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  21. Yummy drink and yummy guy! I want someone hot to bring me a drink too! Thanks for the giveaway!

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