This week, the SBTB crew is at RT in Atlanta. We definitely hope to see some of you there! But because of the travel, I made this delicious drink the week before when I was still in Boston and let me tell you, it was the perfect balm for the overcast, rainy weather we’d been having lately. Fingers crossed for sunny skies when I return. I need a tan on these gams.
Part of my goal for Covers & Cocktails is to try new drinks and new genres. I read a lot of contemporary and erotica, but I also know it’s important to push reading boundaries from time to time. My boundary pushing this week is in the shape of a heartbreaking, angst-filled historical western romance called The Heart of a Texas Cowboy by Linda Broday. So in reality…it’s a minor boundary push with the setting, but not so much with all the angst because mama like.
I will say that the book needs a trigger warning.
I used SoCo (Southern Comfort) because the book is set in Texas and, to mimic the feel and look of a sunset, I wanted some orange coloring and flavors. There’s a sharpness to it from the SoCo that I really love because, admittedly, when I think of historical westerns, I assume it’s going to be way too sweet for my liking. But this one wasn’t. There was more than enough grit to keep me going!
Also, we have a giveaway! The kickass team from Sourcebooks Casablanca is offering up three (3) copies for some lucky winners!
Shopping list:
Southern Comfort
Grand Marnier
Orange seltzer
Grenadine
Maraschino cherries (optional)
Proportions:
2 oz Southern Comfort
1 oz Grand Marnier
3 oz orange seltzer
1/2 oz grenadine
Directions:
- In a shaker full of ice, combine SoCo and Grand Marnier.
- Pour into a glass with ice.
- Top with seltzer and grenadine.
- Garnish liberally with cherries!
Modifications and notes:
- This drink is a bit boozy with the added Grand Marnier, but you can also substitute for another orange liqueur if there’s one you prefer.
- I enjoy the bubbles from the seltzer and the orange flavor is pretty light. If you want a heavier citrus flavor, try orange juice.
- Not into cherries or want more variety in your fruit? Orange slices might also be a great addition.
Now it’s giveaway time! To enter, come up with a rough and tumble cowboy name. The hero’s name is Houston Legend, so you have some pretty stiff competition.
Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and at home on the range. Bring some rope for any cattle-rustling or…you know, some nighttime activities (*wink wink*). Don’t be fooled by a big Stetson or an even bigger belt buckle. Comments will close Sunday May 7, 2017 around noon EDT, and winners will be announced shortly thereafter.
Happy drinking and good luck!
Winner update: Here are the winning names!
DonnaMarie with Dusty Bramble
Maureen with Buck McTough
Kitkat9000 with Colt McNamara
All of you came up with wonderful names! I’m sure all of them would make great Western heroes. Winners, check you email (and spam folders) shortly!
Lasso Laredo!
Buck L’Amour
A tribute to the king of cowboy lit, and what could be more horsey/feisty than Buck.
Brock Maverick! 😀
alas, Lash LaRue is taken … and real. I got nothin’
Dusty Bramble.
How about Ned Coy or James Cree or Evan Bernard–all real cowboys names.
I am going to pick Buck McTough.
Spur McGallup
Dustin “Dusty” MacAllister
Uriah “Rye” Stone.
Ryder Steady!
Buck Bronson
Tex McCoy Nickname Lone Wolf
Cal Rides!
How about Colt McAlister, Duke Weston, or Cody James?
Oops, sorry for not reading previous entries! Let’s change that first one to Colt McNamara instead. And I’ll add Cade McGrath and Sig Sawyer.
Traylor Chase
Beau Stallionwood
His book will end up being featured in Cover Snark.
Tex Baron.
Colt Ryder and his brothers Steele, Dakota, Remington(Remy)and his sister Mexia (pronounced: Meheia.
No lie, there is a PBR rider named Stormy Wing. There is also one named Chase Outlaw. I don’t think I could come up with a better one if I tried!
Being from the Cowboy State I know several really life cowboys but they all have boring names like Tyler and Bill. I personally prefer cowgirls, so mine is Margaret “Calamity Megs” Wayne.
Chauncey Billups, actually a basketball player, but sounds like a western genteleman, perhaps a Banker/cowbowy!
Brick Shifthouse and his sidekick Giddy Upton? lol
I don’t know, maybe Dirk West.
How about Deacon Jean Strider?
Sage Winterfield
Oooh, this is fun. Cowboy names…even better than the real thing.
Jake Ryderson
Seth Grey (a little nod to Zane Grey, and a family name)
Cole Hewett
Wyatt Prentiss
Cody Bonder
John Cash 😉
Really, you could just pull up the cast list of Deadwood and start trading out first and last names.
Stetson Winchester or Tack RustlWr Wrangler
that would be Tack Rustler Wrangler
There is a joke among my friends about the ultimate macho man being named Dirk Bishop Savage West. Other than that…Clint Youngblood? Luke Mustang? Rusty Irons?
Range Driver.
Hank Snow
Creed Taylor
Rawhide Reynolds
Betty Lou Laredo
Mary Anne Muscatine
Bob Wahr (folks from home in Texas get that one)
And my very favorite…
Grit “Cow Patty” McTumbleweed.