One Stiff Drink
While working on my latest novella, I did a bit of experimenting with gin. Why? Well, on top of it being an excellent beverage, Soul Solution takes place in Copenhagen, and Erik, the love interest, is an old soul who just so happens to indulge in the drink while he frequents clubs every night. To reap souls, of course. Actually, a large portion of their initial meeting revolves around libations—in the sense that Mina accidentally spills her drink on him, and then uses him as an excuse to ditch her bad blind date. However, seized by initial attraction and their own curiosities, they end up grabbing drinks together at an after hours lounge. So in essence, mixing up a couple of these cocktails counts as writing research, right?
One of the key notes in gin is juniper berries, fitting with Erik’s wintry nature. (Funny enough, the heroine, Mina, has a cat named Juniper—thanks, subconscious.) For that reason, people tend to either love or hate this beverage. I’ve had a tumultuous relationship with this drink after one over-indulgent night in particular, however I have a penchant for classic cocktails, and this is an essential part of so many.
The Aviation from the Kitchen
2 oz gin
.75 oz lemon juice
.5 oz maraschino cherries
.25 crème de violette
Gin and Tonic from the Intoxicologist
2 oz gin
3-4 oz tonic water
Lime garnish
The Bee’s Knees from Refinery29
2 oz gin
.5 oz lemon juice
.75 honey syrup
And of course, the time old classic—The Martini from the Intoxicologist
2.5 oz gin
Dry vermouth
Lemon twist
These are only a few of the many varied drinks you can make with gin, and I swear, you could probably make a cocktail book with just that alcohol. Although, I have to admit, as fun and classy as gin is, my absolute favorite beverages are made with whisky—Manhattans, Old Fashioneds and the like.
If you’ve sworn off gin in the past, or happen to dislike certain aspects of the beverage, give one of these beverages a whirl. While the gin and tonic, as well as the martini are heavy on that refreshing, juniper taste that so many love, the other two have enough differing ingredients to offset some of that unique flavor. Hopefully you have some of these ingredients on hand though and can play around, whipping up a cocktail to sit on a front porch with during the summer weather and enjoy a book.
Soul Solution
by Katherine McIntyre
ebook, 90 pages
Published July 24th 2015 by Decadent Publishing
ISBN139781613338841
For Erik Anderson, the Copenhagen line is his curse. He takes the train every night en route to collect souls. Like any lovelorn fool, he bargained his own long ago, and now pays the price—a lifetime of loneliness as a grim reaper. Stay distant—that’s been his mantra and what keeps him sane.
Until Mina Castner drops into his life like a whirlwind, one spilled drink leading to staying up until dawn with the woman. He believed one night couldn’t hurt, but he sorely underestimated her determination. Every encounter between them is reprieve from the guilt of reaping souls every night, but it can’t last. Even if she sparks long buried feelings, and even if her sheer presence intoxicates him, he can’t let this continue. For humans, his touch is poison, and if he slips up, it could cost her life.
Author Bio:
A modern day Renaissance-woman, Katherine McIntyre has learned soapmaking, beer brewing, tea blending, and most recently roasting coffee. Most of which make sure she’s hydrated and bathed while she spends the rest of her time writing. With a desire to travel and more imagination than she knows what to do with, all the stories jumping around in her head led to the logical route of jotting them down on paper. Not only can her poetry and prose be found in different magazines, but she’s had an array of novels and novellas published through Decadent Publishing, Boroughs Publishing, Hazardous Press, and Jupiter Gardens Press. For more casual content, she’s a regular contributor on CaffeineCrew.com, a geek news website. http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com
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