Is it cocktail time already? I swear, one of these days I’ll get the timing right and not wind up making a stiff drink at 11am on a Thursday. But today is not that day!
We’re going a little rogue for this month’s cocktail! We’re celebrating the re-release of Wrapped and Strapped by Lorelei James. Some of my early erotica-reading days included James’ books. If you’re unfamiliar with her work, there are hot cowboys and lots (LOTS) of sex. Plus, some menage and BDSM just for good measure.
Wrapped and Strapped is no different: a cowboy + hot sex. And there’s a great opposites attract element.
The cocktail I’ve made is called Save a Horse. Now, there’s a song that debuted in 2004 called “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” by the oddly matched duo of Big & Rich. It’s a bananas song and I’m ashamed to admit I know every single word. It also tends to start playing in a bar after I’ve had a few drinks and you can bet your ass I’m shouting the lyrics at the top of my lungs.
The base of the drink is bourbon because that is usually what I assume cowboys drink. I have no proof to back that up. Please don’t fact check me.
The heroine is pretty much the hero’s opposite: she’s a sunny, outgoing, vegetarian hippie chick! Peaches are a “sunny” fruit to me and the sweetness balances out the punch of bourbon.
And since steamy sex is always on the table for a James book, ginger beer adds a great element of spice and bite.
Not that I’m biased, but this is an incredibly yummy drink.
Shopping list:
Bourbon
Peach preserves
Ginger beer
Peach (optional)
Proportions:
2 oz bourbon
2 oz peach preserve syrup
Enough ginger beer to top off your glass
Recipe for preserve syrup:
- It’s much like making a simple syrup. Everything is a 1:1 ratio.
- Combine 1/2 cup preserves and 1/2 hot water.
- Whisk until combined.
- I recommend doing it over a stove as the added heat helps with the mixing process.
- Put in a container to cool.
Directions:
- Pour bourbon and preserve syrup into a shaker full of ice.
- Shake!
- Pour into a glass with ice.
- Top with ginger beer.
- Garnish with peach slices!
Modifications and notes:
- I love ginger beer. I love a good Dark & Stormy (dark rum and ginger beer) and drinking the beer on its own is great to settle my tummy or clear my sinuses. Despite the name, ginger beer is nonalcoholic, though alcoholic ones exist. Use your favorite ginger beer brand or make a stronger drink with a ginger beer that contains alcohol.
- The peaches are just for garnish and peeling them can be annoying. I love boozy fruit, so I went for it, but maybe skip the trouble and get pre-peeled peaches or go without.
- The carbonation of the Gosling’s brand isn’t super bubbly. If you want a more carbonated ginger beer, I recommend Bundaberg. Or add a bit of seltzer water for some fizz.
- I’m really pleased with how the preserve syrup came out and might mix it with some of my leftover ginger beer without any added alcohol.
Happy drinking!
Why are you ashamed? Save A Horse, Ride A Cowboy is an awesome tune. Whenever there’s shit to be dealt with at the office and the sheep all look at me with the sad, empty eyes, I glare at them and say “I’m the only John Wayne left in this town”.
So much fun in a glass. If you hadn’t said “don’t fact check me” on the bourbon, doing so would never have crossed my mind. Now I have to look, but I will say nothing.
Well, the video for that song is … something. I had heard of the song, but never actually listened to it before (sorry, I guess I am old).
The horsemen I know are bourbon drinkers. Buffalo Trace is a favorite and a less-expensive alternative to Woodford Reserve or Wild Turkey Rare Breed. The Save a Horse cocktail looks yummy to me but the guys would probably say “no thanks” as they like their bourbon on the rocks.
I read a number of Lorelei James books when I over-dosed cowboys a while back. I missed Wrapped and Strapped but it is now on my Kindle courtesy of my local library. Yee-hah
Well, of course I just have to mention that “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” produced THE iconic freestyle dance on DWTS, the one that really (in my opinion) turned the non-dancing public on to the show. Much to my continued delight.
Also, bourbon + ginger + peach = all the win. Hic.
@chacha1: Now I’m going to have to look up that DWTS clip.
@Amanda It’s still one of my favorite dances from DWTS!
You could bypass the peach syrup and go straight for the peach whiskey. Maybe muddle the peach in the glass, or add a spoonful of the jam. I picked up a bottle of Evan Williams not long ago, only because my store didn’t have Bird Dog. Who has a recipe on their site for Peach Whiskey with St. Germain. (Which I would have bought just for the bottle.)
Chiming in on how much I love Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy. It is a dumb song and also one of the best things I have ever heard.
And I, too, know all the words. I’m sure my brain could use that storage space for something more Sophisticated™, but idgaf, ’cause I saddle up my horse and ride into the cit-ay.
What a great drink! When can I leave work?
Also I recognize a craft hay bale anywhere! Good photo shoot!
This sounds yummy!
I love me some ginger beer. I seem to remember Goya made a super spicy one, but I haven’t looked for it in years. Fever Tree also makes a fairly spicy one if, like me, you often find ginger beers lacking bite. Spicy + Sweet is my go-to.