Covers & Cocktails: Forbidden Fruit

My ideas for this month’s cocktails were all over the place. That’s usually what happens when I read a book where food is involved. GIMME ALL THE FOODIE CHARACTERS.

The inspiration for December is Seared by Suleikha Snyder and since I struggled with making a decision, I asked Suleikha on Twitter what she usually likes to drink. Her answer was an Old Fashioned or a nice single malt.

Oh boy.

Seared
A | BN | K | AB
I’m not much of a bourbon drinker, but I’m always up to the challenge. This sort of drink is also perfect for December if you live in colder climates because the bourbon has a nice warming feel to it, despite it usually giving a shock to my senses.

What I’ve come up with is a modified Old Fashioned using an orange cinnamon simple syrup. I’m calling it Forbidden Fruit.

A good portion of Seared is all about forbidden mindfuckery, in the best way possible. The hero is the heroine’s stepbrother, which is its own “forbidden” romance. Plus, there’s a lot of sexual exploration of things that some people may consider taboo.

And of course the “fruit” comes with the added orange flavors. The cinnamon gives the drink a bit more heat without it being overwhelming, because holy heck this book is hot. I will note that I wasn’t going into Seared thinking it was erotica, but I was both surprised and elated since I’m a fan of erotica. So if you’re looking to read this book, be warned! Sexytimes ahoy!

Also, as I’m writing this, I’m realizing there’s an interesting parallel for me personally between the drink and the book. The addition of fruit in the simple syrup made it a bit sweeter and the Old Fashioned more palatable to me, meaning it got me to enjoy something I wouldn’t normally choose for myself. Seared is the same way in that I tend to be wary of stepbrother romances, but Suleikha handled it really well and, as a reader, that element of the romance put me at ease.

But now onto the good stuff: drinking!

 Ingredients for the Forbidden Fruit cocktail cinnamon stick bourbon and an orange

Shopping list:
Bourbon
An orange
Cinnamon sticks
Bitters

Proportions:
2 oz bourbon
2 oz of orange cinnamon simple syrup
2 dashes of bitters

Recipe for simple syrup:

  1. I make my simple syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
  2. Take one cup of water for every one cup of sugar and pour it into a pot. Increase the amounts as needed.
  3. Break up two cinnamon sticks and place it in the pan, along with an orange peel (I used about half the orange peel) and all the juice from the orange you can squeeze out of it.
  4. Stir the mixture regularly over medium-low heat until all the sugar is dissolved. You don’t want the water to boil or simmer. Feel free to give it some extra time on the heat after the sugar has dissolved to let the orange and cinnamon infuse into the syrup.
  5. Strain the syrup into a jar or other container to let cool in the fridge. I tend to make big batches at a time, so I always have it on hand.

Directions:

  1. Pour the bourbon, syrup, and bitters over ice.
  2. Give it a quick stir.
  3. Drink.

Modifications and notes:

  • Depending on what flavor your’d rather highlight, you can either add more cinnamon or more orange to the syrup mixture.
  • I’m not a big bourbon drinker, so I used whatever brand I had. Feel free to use your favorite!
  • I don’t own a whiskey stone or a mold for a big ice cube because I’m an uncultured pleb. But if you got it, use it!
  • Though you can use regular aromatic bitters, I had some orange bitters on hand and used those instead.

An amber colored drink next to a copy of Seared and a gilded teapot

Happy holidays and happy drinking!

Comments are Closed

  1. I can’t wait to try this recipe, Amanda! I think Lachlan would definitely approve! Thank you for sipping along with Seared!

  2. Amanda says:

    @Suleikha: Yay! Definitely let me know what you think!

  3. DonnaMarie says:

    Look at that cute, non-erotica cover. Who would know?

  4. kkw says:

    So, I mostly drink whiskey. When I want to be fancy I put an ice cube in it, and if other people are involved I *might* be bothered to make a Manhattan.
    This much simple syrup is a screaming hangover at my age, however, these flavors seem very desirable and festive and like they would complement bourbon nicely.
    So my question is, how intensely flavored is this syrup? If I just add a small dash, will it be worth the effort (having hopefully established my extreme laziness)? Or is it mild enough that I should maybe double down on the orange and cinnamon? Let it steep extra long? Would be grateful for advice!

  5. SonomaLass says:

    I have cinnamon whiskey in the house for my son and his friends. And I have some orange bitters! So I guess I’ll be trying this using those and regular simple syrup. Thanks for the idea!

  6. Amanda says:

    @kkw: You can definitely taste the orange and cinnamon in the way I made it, but perhaps cut the proportions of syrup in the drink in half. Use 1 ounce instead of two. You can always add more to your whiskey.

    I’m unsure about doubling the orange and cinnamon, but you could lessen the amount of simple syrup you make (sugar & water) and just keep the same amount of orange and cinnamon.

    Sorry I don’t have more concrete answers!

  7. kkw says:

    Cheers Amanda!

  8. Chris says:

    Hmm. I always love your bourbon cocktails. I think all I need is the orange. And, more bourbon or whiskey, as I just bought some eggnog to mix with it.

  9. Sharon says:

    I’m really not much of an alcohol drinker, but I am thinking about adding the simple syrup to some hot tea, what do you all think??! The book sounds nice n steamy, just the way I like ’em sometimes!!☺

  10. Amanda says:

    @Sharon: Go for it! Simple syrup has many purposes. I also use it to sweeten iced coffee.

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