Covers & Cocktails Giveaway: Off to the Races

It’s February! And honestly, that has very little bearing on this tasty drink I’m about to make, aside from the fact that if I make a mint julep at noon on a Wednesday, I’ll forget about the fact that 2016 is already going by way too quickly for my comfort. It also means I’m one month closer to some family holiday and my Italian mother laying on the guilt that she doesn’t have grandchildren yet.

This month’s drink is inspired by Theresa Romain’s A Gentleman’s Game. It’s the first in a new series about horse racing and breeding. If you haven’t checked out Redheadedgirl’s squee-worthy review, definitely give it a read!

I really don’t know if I’d describe myself as a horse girl. We had horses for a time and they’re fun! But I will still never forgive our American Quarter Horse, Lady, for stepping on my toes at every damn chase she got. I also remember having to trudge into the pasture to slather one of our other horses down with sunscreen or else she’d get sunburned. She was a gorgeous pale white Paint Horse with light tan markings (a Medicine Hat), though don’t be swayed by my memory of her looks. She was stone cold evil.

What I really love about the horse world is all the pomp and circumstance and it is my dream to attend the Kentucky Derby and catch some enigmatic, rich man’s eye with my superb fancy hat selection. I’m quite fond of this one:

And what drink is synonymous with derbies? A mint julep.

But I didn’t want to do a plain mint julep because, while tasty, where’s the fun in that?

I really love the cover of A Gentleman’s Game: the blue pastel dress, the riding crop, the challenging look on the heroine’s face. However, I recently used blueberries in December’s Covers & Cocktails and I wanted to give another fruit a chance. My family’s acreage had a lovely crop of wild blackberry bushes, but if you know anything about picking blackberries, you know they’re a pain in the ass because of all the thorns and brambles. Which is so damn fitting given the heroine, Rosalind.

In short, Rosalind has had a pretty crap lot in life and I thought it was a nice comparison, wading through all these painful thickets to get to the fresh berries.

Not only do you get a tasty drink recipe, but the wonderful people over at Sourcebooks offered to giveaway a copy of the book and a drink set to make your own cocktails! I highly suggest you make a strong glass of our blackberry mint julep, or as I’m calling it, an Off to the Races, and enter the giveaway below!

Shopping list:
Bourbon (preferably a wheated bourbon over a rye bourbon)
Mint
Blackberries
Simple syrup (sugar and water)
Berry flavored seltzer water

Proportions:
2 oz bourbon
2 oz seltzer water
1 oz simple syrup
1/3 cup blackberries
3 sprigs of mint

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. Stir the mixture regularly under medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. You don’t want the water to boil or simmer.
4. Pour 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. Put your blackberries and mint in your shaker or some other container. Muddle the shit out of them. If they aren’t breaking down as quickly or as much as you like, add some sugar!
2. Add your liquid ingredients. Make sure there’s a lid and shake!
3. My shaker has a built-in strainer, but I’d advise finding some way to strain the mixture into your glass.
4. Garnish with blackberries and mint to your liking.

Modifications and notes:

• You can make the simple syrup ahead of time. I usually tend to make a big batch of it and keep it in the fridge. I actually had this leftover from our very first Covers & Cocktails that I used with the Bourbon Lemonade.
• I tend to go easy on the mint flavor in my julep because I find that it can get overwhelming at times. However, if you want a stronger mint flavor, toss some mint in when you’re making your simple syrup, just be sure to strain the leaves out when you go to store the liquid.
• Wheated bourbons aren’t as spicy as rye bourbons, which is why I chose it. Though if you want more of a kick of heat, try a rye bourbon!
• You can definitely forgo the seltzer water or just use plain instead of flavored. I just wanted more berry flavor and a little bit of fizziness to it.
• I didn’t make a ton because I tend to stuff my glass with an obnoxious number of ice cubes. Vary the proportions as you see fit!
• Just a drinking note: I often toss a few blackberries into the glass as well because a burst of boozy fruit is the best way to finish off a drink.

 

 

Now to the really good part! We have one copy of A Gentleman’s Game to giveaway, plus a bartending set!

 

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell us what you’d name your champion racehorse! The giveaway will end Sunday, February 7, 2016 at noon, EST, so get your comments in before then!

Standard disclaimers apply. We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US/Canadian residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18 and prepared to design your own rose blanket and derby hat to win. Mind the thorns and sewing needles, but remember that beauty is pain, especially if you want a hat with bangers and beans on it.

UPDATE February 7, 2016: 

And the winner is: Jane Drew with the awesome name of Friday on the Couch. 

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful and hilarious horse names! I definitely recommend that you read though them all when you have the chance.