Covers & Cocktails Giveaway: Sweet Hot Chris

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:

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.

Cocktail Directions:

1. In shaker full of ice, combine clementine juice, simple syrup, vodka, and bitters.
2. Shake the shit out of it.
3. 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.
4. 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!