Covers & Cocktails Giveaway: The Enhancer

One of the great things about writing the Covers & Cocktails feature is discovering new drinks I’ve never had before and trying to recreate them. This is one of those drinks!

The inspiration this month comes from Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet, one of my most anticipated releases for 2019. I am totally here for more sci-fi romance, and I loved the blend of purples and blues on the cover. Nightchaser is described as “Star Wars meets Robin Hood,” and I’d say that’s an accurate description. The heroine has a merry crew who are all about stealing from the rich to give to the poor. There is also some big bad evil controlling the galaxy.

While doing research for what to make, I discovered the shrub cocktail. The base of a shrub cocktail is a syrup made with vinegar, sugar, and whatever other flavors you want to give to said syrup. When I first read the word vinegar, I wasn’t so sure, but you’re allowed to adjust the sugar and vinegar to taste, depending on whether you want a sweeter or more acidic syrup.

One thing I love about the heroine, Tess, and Bouchet’s previous heroine Cat in A Promise of Fire ( A | BN | K | G | AB ) is how complex they are. They can be altruistic and earnest, wanting to protect the ones they love, but they’re also filled with feelings of rage and vengeance. Finding that balance is very reminiscent of finding that same balance in this drink.

Since I loved the colors of the cover, I wanted to try and match that and luckily, I had some leftover blackberries from my latest Soggy Bottoms bake. The alcohol I used was gin and I love gin because of how clean and crisp it is. It provides a good foundation for adding other flavors as well. But because I opted to make my shrub syrup slightly more on the sweeter side, I wanted to bump up the “kapow” of the drink (given how action oriented Nightchaser is). For this, I added ginger beer!

The name: The Enhancer. In the book, the enhance is a secret serum used to turn people into unstoppable super soldiers. And let’s all be honest with ourselves, cocktails are a serum in and of itself. We’ve all done or said things that we definitely wouldn’t have the ability to do or say sober.

As a bonus, the team at Sourcebooks Casablanca has a cocktail set to giveaway to one (1) lucky winner! More details below!

Shopping list:
Gin
Blackberries
Ginger beer
White wine vinegar (for syrup)
Sugar (for syrup)

Proportions:
2 oz. gin
3 tbsp. syrup
Top with ginger beer

Shrub syrup instructions:

I used this link, which provides both cold and hot instructions for assembling the syrup. I went with the hot version.

1. Combine equal parts vinegar and sugar in a saucepan. Over medium heat, stir until sugar is dissolved.
2. Add blackberries and bring to a simmer.
3. The longer you simmer, the more the blackberries will infuse into the syrup.
4. Let cool and then pour into a sealable container.
5. Refrigerate for at least twelve hours.
6. After that, taste the syrup and then adjust as need be with more sugar or vinegar.

Modifications and notes:

• Definitely turn on your stove’s vent fan while cooking the syrup. My kitchen smelled like vinegar for hours.
• Want more of a ginger taste? Add fresh ginger in with the blackberries during the syrup-making process.
• You can freeze some blackberries and use as makeshift, fruity ice cubes in your drink.
• Of course, you can adjust the proportions above as need be. If you want more of a blackberry flavor, add more syrup!

Now, it’s giveaway time!

To enter, comment below with what you’d name your intrepid spaceship!

Standard disclaimers apply: We are not being compensated for this giveaway. Void where prohibited. Open to US residents where permitted by applicable law. Must be over 18. Always wear your seatbelt when hyperdrive is activated. If you vomit in your spacesuit, you’re responsible for cleanup. And get ready to explore the final frontier! Comments will close Sunday December 30, 2018 around noon ET, and a winner will be announced shortly thereafter.

Cheers!

Winner update: And the winner is Patti (@thelovejunkee) with her ship, The Outlander!

I loved all of the names and I’m now petitioning to start a romance-loving, ass-kicking space fleet.