I think I can safely (and finally) say that Boston has been released from the unrelenting grip of winter. Unfortunately, my allergies are in full effect and I often wake up in the morning surrounded by wads of tissues. So despite the lovely, sunny weather we’re having in New England right now, I am inside with the windows shut and my system pumped full of allergy meds. Thankfully, I have plenty of books to keep me entertained without needing to step outside.
Everywhere and Every Way by Jennifer Probst is the first book in her Billionaire Builders series. Think Property Brothers with a boatload of humor. It’s also a renovation romance with a hero and heroine who have a bit of an adversarial relationship.
The cover is perfect for the warm weather and calls for something refreshing. In the book, there’s a bartender named Raven who specializes in making cocktails. One of her favorite drinks: the Sweet Hot Chris. It’s inspired by all of the hot Chrises in Hollywood. Seriously, what is it with that name and attractive leading men? Chris Pine. Chris Evans. Chris Pratt. Chris Hemsworth. Throwing it back to one of my early Hollywood crushes – Chris O’Donnell, who I completely fell in love with when he played Robin in Batman Forever.
The Sweet Hot Chris has the perfect amount of sweetness with the simple syrup, the fresh clementine juice add a hint of tartness, and the champagne gives it some great bubbly fizz. It’s not a heavy drink, which pairs well with the fact that the Everywhere and Every Way is light and fun.
Shopping list:
Brut Champagne
Clementine juice or clementines
Lemon vodka
Simple syrup (sugar and water)
Aromatic bitters
Rosemary (optional)
Proportions:
1 oz freshly squeezed Clementine juice
1 oz TBSP simple syrup
1 1/2 oz lemon vodka
1 1/2 oz Brut Champagne
4 dashes of aromatic bitters
Recipe for simple syrup:
- I make my simple syrup in a 1:1 ratio.
- Take one cup of water for every one cup of sugar and pour it into a pot. Increase the amounts as needed.
- Stir the mixture regularly under medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved. You don’t want the water to boil or simmer.
- 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.
Cocktail Directions:
- In shaker full of ice, combine clementine juice, simple syrup, vodka, and bitters.
- Shake the shit out of it.
- Add the champagne and give it a stir. Because of the bubbles in the champagne, I didn’t want to add it to the shaking process.
- Serve neat in a (preferably chilled) glass and garnish with rosemary.
Modifications and notes:
- My local liquor store didn’t have lemon vodka, so I used plain vodka. I loved the sweetness it had with the regular vodka, though I imagine the drink might be a touch sweeter with a flavored vodka.
- I couldn’t find fresh, bottled clementine juice, so I bought a big sack (heh) of clementines. An ounce of juice was roughly one or two clementines, depending on how juicy they were.
- Down the street from my apartment is an awesome cocktail shop where I purchased bitters. I am Jon Snow when it comes to bitters; I know nothing. But here is what the very helpful woman told me: Angostura aromatic bitters are like the salt and pepper to making cocktails. It helps elevate a drink and bring out the flavor. She also suggested for this cocktail in particular to experiment with other bitters, like a cherry flavor.
- Though the rosemary is for garnish, I actually put a few springs in a big pitcher of this drink. My roommates and I were having a friend over for dinner, so I let it sit in the fridge for a few hours. It turned out very well. I really enjoyed the way the rosemary added some extra spice.
Now for the giveaway! I actually have one (1) finished copy of Everywhere and Every Way up for grabs!
All you have to do to enter is leave a comment and tell us which sweet and/or hot Chris reigns supreme! The giveaway will end Sunday, May 29, 2016 at noon, EST, so get your comments in before then! A winner will be chosen at random and announced that same day.
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 able to look at attractive actors for possibly several hours to make your decision for the ultimate Chris. Willing to be bribed with photos, gifs, macaroni art, or sexy sky writing. Please drink responsibly while Googling.
UPDATE: Congrats to Betty Brookover! And if you’re wondering, she voted for Chris Pratt.
MAY THE BEST CHRIS WIN!
Chris Pine ftw! It’s always hot when a man reads, and he got an English major from Berkeley. Plus those blue eyes…
One Chris, many Chrises. (Because I’m nitpicky. Confirmed by Grammar Girl.)
(Don’t count me, I’m not eligible for the giveaway.)
While each Chris is glorious in his own way, for me there can be no contest: I follow the Cap. Chris Evans all the way!
The drink recipe looks pretty yummy, too!
Argh… how can you make a girl choose? I guess I shall have to go with my first Chris crush, Chris Pine from The Princess Diaries. Those blue eyes are unreal.
Chris Pine.
In honor of Memrial Day, I have to go with Captain America Chris Evans.
It’s a terrible choice to have to make, but I think Chris Hemsworth slightly edges out Chris Evans for the win, in my book. BTW, I don’t drink as a rule (don’t care for the taste of most alcoholic beverages), but that cocktail sounds pretty tasty.
@ms bookjunkie: Thanks! It’s not often I need to talk about multiple Chrises. We should also come up with their collective plural.
Pratt. He’s gorgeous and hilarious, and I kind of love how much he adores his wife and kid.
I agree with Crystal … Pratt.
Chris Evans *Insert Gif from Civil War of him holding the helicopter and dem biceps*
My very first crush was on a boy named Chris. How does one chose just one Chris? I’ll choose Hemsworth because of that accent.
Chris O’Donnell was one of my early crushes, too, so I will pick him. I also love that he married an elementary school teacher (almost 20 years ago!) and they have 5 kids. That cocktail looks amazing but then again I am pregnant and any kind of alcohol sounds appealing right now as I’m forced to abstain 😉
Chris Pratt stole my heart as Andy Dwyer. 🙂
He’s not listed, but for me: Chris Murphy of Sloan, always! Brilliant songwriter, fantastic singer, gracious as can be, and adorable in glasses.
Pine’s glasses, Hemsworth’s eyes, Evans smile and Pratt’s biceps. Mega-Chris.
Crisstopher Rick Chros!
So many of these Chrises are adorable, but I really admire Chris Colfer. He is also adorable, has a wonderful tenor singing voice and is out loud and proud at a young age. He is active to prevent bullying and encourages people to adopt shelter pets.
Chris Pratt, no question.
Wow I like them all but at my age that is normal. I will take the one sitting down with the glasses as he may be a reader and I like that
Hemsworth all the way!
Ryan ReynoldsChris Pine because Star Trek.My choice is Chris Hemsworth. Thor is #1 in my book!
Chris Evans!
I have to go with Chris Pine. I love Star Trek, and Pine does such a good job as Capt. Kirk, while looking super hot.
Chris Pratt! I fell in love with him when he was Bright Abbott in Everwood-even then he really had that spark. Then of course Parks and Rec, one of my favorite shows EVER!
Chris Pine, of course! Have you seen those eyes?! And that seriously H.O.T. gray in his beard he’s now sporting? Plus he’s Captain Kirk! 🙂
I’ll put in a second vote for Chris O’Donnell.
Chris Evans, all day, every day. O Captain, my Captain.
Chris Pratt is adorkable. And has pelvic sorcery. I vote for him.
@Amanda: Please don’t enter me in the giveaway. 🙂
It’s hot and muggy here and my temperature just rose a bit with these photos and I don’t even mind! I do love those Chrises!
As a Boston area girl myself, I have to vote for Chris Evans
Well, my personal “sweet, hot, Chris” is my husband. But if I’m picking from these guys I have to go with Chris Evans. Love me some Cap.
#1 (on the left) — I must be out of it or really old I don’t know which Chris is which. But I pick #1.
When it comes down to the “New Chris” I go with Chris Evans( you have to love a Boston Boy who knows how to grow a beard & still be sexy). But I’m OLD SCHOOL and for “Classic Chris” I would vote for Chris Sarandon, who was fabulous as the lover Al Pacino robbed a bank for in Dog Day Afternnon & in the Princess Bride (even as a baddie he was still a cutie)
Team Cap, for sure. Chris Evans, hometown boy <3
Chris Evans, all the way (see what I did there?). I also have to say that I, too, had a big crush on Batman-era Chris O’Donnel
Without a doubt, Chris Hemsworth – the accent puts him over the top (naughty).
I honestly can’t choose between Hemsworth and Evans. So, both. Both is good. Can’t resist Thor or Cap. 🙂
Hemsworth all the way! I’m totally team Thor.