Fixing drinks has never been my domaine, but look out world, ’cause that’s about to change. Thanks to Running Press, I have everything I need to transform from a cocktail dunce to a cocktail diva inย Ladies Who Drink: A Stylishly Spirited Guide to Mixed Drinks and Small Bites by Anne Keenan Higgins. Small in size but mighty in know-how, the lighthearted guide takes readers through the basics and beyond: from home bar essentials (including liquors, tools and glasses) to party-planning tips, to cocktails and nibblies for every occasion. (Think Backyard Barbecue, Ice-Skating Party, A Trip to Margaritaville, and Sunday Brunch Bloodies.) Served with a splash of mixology history and infused with charming illustrations of ladies who lunch (and sip!) looking oh-so-chic and you’ve got a practical and pretty starter for anyone new to the bar.
Raise your hand if you can name that drink. Here’s a hint: it was invented in the 1940s to push Smirnoff sales in the US and typically served in a copper mug or rocks glass filled with crushed ice. Did you say Moscow Mule? Ding ding ding! You’re correct.
“…Drinks that mix a base spirit with ginger beer and a citrus juice are often called mules or bucks, perhaps because of the ‘kick’ provided by the spicy ginger beer.” — Anne Keeenan Higgins
Anne also includes recipes for three variations — the London, Mexican and Fruit-Flavoured Mules — along with the Kentucky Mule (“a great drink for Derby Day”). I served the Moscow Mule with the snack mix suggested for Aprรจs-Shopping, but suspect it would be tasty for many occasions.
Some other pairings I’d like to try:
- a Vampire’s Kiss with Spicy Pumpkin Seeds
- a Rossini with Fig and Brie Hand Pies
- a Last Days of the Raj with Lemon-Thyme Shortbread
- an Italian Greyhound with a Salumi Platter
I think a cocktail is in order, don’t you?
GIVEAWAY!
To enter to win a copy of Ladies Who Drink from Running Press, tell me your favourite cocktail and small bite pairing (or one you’d like to try) in the comments below. This entry is mandatory.
For an additional entry,ย followย try small thingsย onย Facebookย and share this post, then tell me you did so and your name on Facebook in the comments below.
For a third entry,ย followย try small thingsย on Instagram, andย tell me your Instagram handle in the comments below.
And feel free to tweet the following once per day and leave the url for your tweet in the comments below (one entry per tweet). Make sure youโreย followingย try small thingsย on Twitterย for your entry to count.
It’s 5 o’clock somewhere: #Win Anne Keenan Higgins’ “Ladies Who Drink” from @trysmallthings http://bit.ly/ladieswhodrink ย โข CAN/US 10/5ย
The giveaway is open to Canadian and US residents 18+ and ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on October 5, 2017.ย The potential winner (chosen at random) must respond to prize notification within 48 hours and provide the correct answer to a skill-testing question, otherwise another will be selected.
Update October 7, 2017: Congratulations Elizabeth R!
Running Press sent me Ladies Who Drink in exchange for an honest review. Images from the book and cover shown here with permission from the publisher, copyright Anne Keenan Higgins.ย
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