Hello, and welcome to the first installment of Jello Shot June on my blog! All month long, I’ll feature books and authors and their connection to tasty drinks. Because who doesn’t love a little liquid refreshment? Coming up, you’ll get reviews, drink recipes, new releases, and maybe an interview with a bartender or two. It should be fun!
Today, we’re starting with a recipe, a new release, an excerpt, and a review, all wrapped into one post. We like to start big here on Tami’s Thoughts. Take a look below, and yes, it’s perfectly appropriate to steal this recipe and make one for yourself. In fact, I encourage it!
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The Sea Breeze: a refreshing concoction of grapefruit juice, cranberry, and vodka, shaken to create some sea foam, and served over ice with a slice of lime. Yum. Refreshing and delicious.
Sex on the Beach is another tasty cocktail, with many variations. Peachy, sweet, and guaranteed to give you a buzz. Really fast.
The standard Sex on the Beach recipe is as follows:
Ingredients: 1 1/3 oz. Vodka, 1 1/3 oz. Cranberry juice, 2/3 oz. Peach schnapps, 1 1/3 oz. Orange juice but can be served as a cocktail over ice with a fruity garnish or as a shooter. I prefer the shooter.
I’ve worked as a bartender and had several variations. Here’s another one: vodka, Chambord, Midori Melon Liqueur, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice.
Every bartender tends to put their own twist on this simple drink.
In my latest romance, Sea Breeze, we have two bartenders, both servicing up two different versions. Here’s a little excerpt taken from a scene set in Ocho Ríos, Jamaica in Sea Breeze:
I follow Eric and Isaac behind the empty bar, and Eric points to the well. “I challenge you to a little Sex on the Beach mix-off. We don’t have enough ingredients here at Isaac’s bar to do a real mix-off. No offense, Isaac, but I can’t let you behind the bar on the ship, or I’d get fired.” I smirk, and Isaac laughs out loud. “You were talking really big last night about how Vegas bartenders are the best bartenders in the world, so let’s see who makes a better drink. You up for it?”
“Oh, Eric. One of these days, we’ll have a real mix-off behind a full bar, no offense, Isaac.” Isaac waves me off. “And you can show me your best, but right now, you don’t stand a chance, not with something easy like that. Challenge accepted.”
I let Eric go first and he mixes up a regular cocktail: vodka, peach schnapps, orange, and cranberry over ice. He does add a little lime juice to it and a sugar rim. I taste it, it’s good. I like the lime juice. “Tasty. Now stand back and watch how it’s done.”
A few other visitors wander over to see what all the commotion is about, and so I decide to give them and Eric a show. Organizing the bottles I’ll need in the well, I line up eight shot glasses and grab two shakers and two pint glasses. I fill the two shakers with ice, and then pull out the cranberry and orange juices, pouring those at the same time. Next I juggle the bottle of vodka, spinning it in the palm of my hand, and then high-pouring from above my head into the shakers. Lastly, I pull the schnapps bottle out of the well, tossing it behind my back, and I high-pour it into the shakers. I smack the pint glasses into the shakers simultaneously, securing them, and then I spin one in each hand until they’re both nice and cold. A quick tap on the bar releases the pints, and I pour off one, filling half the glasses, and then dump the first shaker in the sink. I pour the last over the shot glasses, filling them almost to the brim. I top it off with a little extra kick and float a little Grand Marnier in each glass, and then, with a flick of my wrist, the bottle goes back on the shelf. Isaac cheers loudly and Eric smirks. I give him and Isaac each a glass, take one for me, and then offer the last five to the people who’ve been watching.
“Her show yuh, mon. My God. Dat a beautiful ting.” Isaac throws back his shot and licks his lips.
Clinking glasses with me, Eric drinks his shot, keeping his eyes on me. He leans in and whispers in my ear. “That was so fucking sexy to watch.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. It’s him who’s sexy. How in the hell is he single?
“Thanks, Isaac. Ready to get a little wet, Jordan?” Eric wiggles his eyebrows at me.
I snicker. “Yes, please.”
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Let me also add my own two cents to your decision to purchase this book. I have already read it, and I can give my stamp of approval (for what that’s worth). Jennifer Senhaji is one of those authors who is brilliant at painting a picture, making the book real. As I read, I was in San Juan with them, I was on the cruise ship; I was in bed with Jordan and Eric. And let me tell you, it was pretty damn crowded in that tiny, twin bed, but I sure as hell wasn’t leaving, not until I was forced to, after Jennifer gave them their happily ever after. “Sweet and spicy romance author” is Jennifer’s tagline, and I have to agree, after reading Sea Breeze. It’s short, it’s hot, and it’s sweet. The perfect beach read.
Now, if all of that has whet your appetite, feel free to pick up a copy of Sea Breeze. It’s free with Amazon Unlimited. http://amzn.com/B00XGJCKNM
Sea Breeze Blurb:
Jordan has never been in love, or been anywhere. Trapped in Vegas, she schleps drinks and dodges losers, while suffering under a burden only she can shoulder. Her life is an endless stretch of blah with no escape.
Until now.
Instead of looking back, she’s sailing forward.
Eric has left his family and friends in San Francisco to travel the world, tending bar on a cruise ship to fund his adventures. He can charm any coed who comes aboard, but Jordan sees right through him.
On the blue cobblestone streets of San Juan, everything changes. Food. Music. Exotic locations. Possibilities. Setting out to discover the world, will Jordan discover herself?
Sometimes, adventure can set you free…
Before you go, here’s a little info about Jennifer Senhaji, Your Sweet and Spicy Romance Author:
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Thanks for having me, Tami and for the great review.