I knew Tanner ran a successful company in Minneapolis, making T-shirts and other outdoor clothing from reused and recycled materials. I did not know, until he pulled out the cocktail shaker, that when he first started the company, he made ends meet by tending bar. That let to the Italian Princess, a cocktail he creates in TREBLE, based on one Mr. Right and I enjoyed at a wine dinner at a local eatery. Nor did I know the reason for his visit to Montana at that particular time, a turn of events that more than one reviewer said tugged at her heart.
But I knew Tanner would return in AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES, the 5th in the series, when I first tasted champagne with St. Germain. We first tasted the liqueur in France, but hadn’t used it ourselves until a birthday celebration at a mountain lodge across the valley. We experimented a bit, discovering that bitters are an easily-overlooked but essential ingredient.
Celebrate with me, please, the release this week of AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES, the fifth Food Lovers’ Village Mystery!
Leave a comment below for a chance to win a signed copy!
And raise a glass with me to Peg Cochran, and toast the release today of BOUGHT THE FARM, 3d in the Farmers' Daughter Mysteries from Berkley.
Tanner’s Life’s-Too-Short-For-Rehearsals Champagne Cocktail
As readers of Treble at the Jam Fest remember, Tanner loves creating special cocktails. This drink honors the bride: classic, with just the right balance of sweet and tart!
For each drink:
1 sugar cube
5–6 drops Angostura bitters
½ ounce St. Germain (elderflower liqueur)
5-1/2 ounces champagne
Lemon twist, cut with a channel knife or paring knife
In a champagne flute, soak the sugar cube with the bitters. Add the liqueur, and slowly pour in
the champagne. Add the lemon twist.
Salut!
Salut!
Tried a food or drink in your travels that you've later tried at home? Or has a friend turned you on to something you'd never have thought you'd enjoy? Tell me about it in the comments for a chance to win a signed copy of AS THE CHRISTMAS COOKIE CRUMBLES, the 5th Food Lovers' Village Mystery. (US and Canadian addresses only, please. Winner will be chose Thurs, June 7.)
"Budewitz's finely drawn characters, sharp ear for dialogue, and well-paced puzzle make Jewel Bay a destination for every cozy fan." --- Kirkus Reviews
In Jewel Bay---Montana's Christmas Village---all is merry and bright. At Murphy’s Mercantile, AKA the Merc, manager Erin Murphy is ringing in the holiday season with food, drink, and a new friend: Merrily Thornton. A local girl gone wrong, Merrily’s turned her life around. But her parents have publicly shunned her, and they nurse a bitterness that chills Erin.
When Merrily goes missing and her boss discovers he’s been robbed, fingers point to Merrily—until she’s found dead, a string of lights around her neck. The clues and danger snowball from there. Can Erin nab the killer—and keep herself in one piece—in time for a special Christmas Eve?
Leslie Budewitz is the author of the Food Lovers’ Village Mysteries and the Spice Shop Mysteries—and the first author to win Agatha Awards for both fiction and nonfiction. A past president of Sisters in Crime, she lives in northwest Montana with her husband, a musician and doctor of natural medicine, and their cat, an avid bird-watcher.
Swing by my website and join the mailing list for my seasonal newsletter. And join me on Facebook where I announce lots of giveaways from my cozy writer friends.
I had never tried Indian food until my nephew talked me into going to a local Indian restaurant where they have a lunch buffet. I found out that I love Indian food! cking78503(at)aol(dot)com
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun discovery! I love the Indian flavors, too!
DeleteI enjoy trying out new foods which are interesting and tasty. Moroccan and Israeli dishes are wonderful. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy hair stylist just came back from a trip to Israel. Let others ask about the architecture -- I quizzed her about the food!
DeleteWhat an adventure it would be to have the experience of tempting and enticing foods which I have never tried before. Certain foods I would avoid since spiced foods are not for me but anything else is lovely. Especially authentic meals. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteBy "spiced," Traveler, do you mean heat? Though crazy-hot food is popular right now, there is a world of flavor that has nothing to do with peppers or burning your stomach lining!
DeleteI tried to make Japaleno Poppers at home once. We had them on a trip to New Mexico. They were good, but not nearly as good as the ones out there.
ReplyDeleteWendy Clark
clarksrfun at gmail dot com
Some things are better left to the professionals, aren't they? Besides, that gives us an excuse to go out!
DeleteI really hadn't had much Indian food until our cousin took us to a restaurant years and years ago. I've made a few curries,tika masala,butter chicken, and samosas over the years. I've also tried to "copycat" some Thai dishes we've had at restaurants.
ReplyDeleteThis cocktail looks delicious, and I'll have to try it. A special occasion cocktail at our house is a pear martini (pear vodka, St Germain, and champagne). It is devine.
Thank you for the chance to win. Dmskrug3 at hotmail(dot)com
That pear martini sounds great!
DeleteI've eaten so many wonderful foods, it's hard to choose one: Lilikoi Hawaiian shave ice, Indian tacos in Cherokee, okinawan noodle bowls & taco rice. Yum! Discovered I like absinthe while in New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteOh, an eater after my own heart -- and stomach! Love discovering the local specialties!
DeleteLilikoi hawaiian shave ice, indian tacos, okinawan soba bowls, & taco reisu are a few of my favorites I tried while traveling. Yum! And I discovered I enjoy absinthe while in New Orleans.
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Not a fan of raw fish, but I did enjoy the lomi lomi salmon while
ReplyDeletevacationing in Hawaii.
jtcgc at yahoo dot com
Sushi is a bit of an acquired taste, isn't it? But the salmon sounds yummy!
DeleteI love trying the local food and drink! Cullen skink in Scotland. Frescas in Costa Rica. And cocktails made with the local booze-guaro. Most of the food and wine in Spain. Beer, whiskey, and seafood in Ireland. Lassis and food in India. All wonderful!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
There is a theory -- Mr. Right heartily endorses it -- that to get to know a place, you must drink the local booze!
DeleteSt Germain is interesting stuff.
ReplyDeleteI've tried it with bubbly--a nice combination (I'll try this mix next time).
I also saw a recipe that mixed St. Germain with gin, simple syrup, and lemon. A new twist on a martini.
libbydodd at comcast dot net
A St. Germain Lemon Drop!
DeleteHappy book birthday, Leslie! We brought home the "Aperol spritz" from our travels in Italy!
ReplyDeleteI remember your pics and post about it, Peg -- you inspired us! And Happy Book Birthday to YOU, too!
DeleteI love to try new foods - I “blame” my parents because they always made me try something new - usually to their regret when I liked it and it wasn’t inexpensive. I’m happy to be reading about Erin & her gang again, soon. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteToo funny! My parents weren't big food adventurers, but they did let me order Lobster Newburg out once when I was a teenager, and boy did I love that!
DeleteCan't wait to read it. The title sounds fun and is something that will hold my attention till I'm finished with the whole book.
ReplyDeleteWe aim to keep you up past your bedtime!
DeleteWhen I was in Victoria, B.C. on my honeymoon some 20 years ago, I tried olive oil combined with balsamic vinegar for dipping for the fires time. It's very common now, but was new (to me) at the time and I loved it. Thanks for the wonderful recipe and congratulations on the new release!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Autumn! A honeymoon in Victoria -- how romantic!
DeleteI love finding new books to read. Also finding Authors I haven't read their books yet. I love the cover of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to try and win.
ReplyDeleteStick with us, Penny, and your To Be Read pile will soon be higher than a Christmas tree!
DeleteThis is so funny--I had a conversation about elderflower liqueur at our (small) local liquor store just this past week. I'm going to have to try it! And when a bunch of my college classmates took a group trip to northern Italy, I first met Aperol spritzs--and yes, I have a bottle of Aperol now.
ReplyDeleteMeghan and Harry had an elderflower wedding cake, so the stuff's been in the news lately -- and apparently, on more liquor store shelves!
DeleteIt was in Switzerland, a seasonal cheese called Vacherin Mont d'Or. It is a very soft cheese in a round thin wood box, and the top of the cheese appeared to have a white mold on it. It was served to us at room temperature, scooped onto plates, eaten with boiled potatoes, cornichon, olives, and pickled onions. There was also sweet paprika and ground pepper to sprinkle on the servings. It was absolutely delicious.
ReplyDeletelittle lamb lst at yahoo dot com
Oh, my -- that sounds heavenly!
DeleteWhen I traveled I always tried the local foods like haggis, alligator, and poi. I worked for the Bureau of Forestry with a lot of hunters so we had venison, elk, and bear. I still like to experiment with flavors in my cooking and eating out.
ReplyDeleteI learned that I like hummus, Greek food, Thai food, curry, all from my son. I had never had them until he made me eat them. They are really good.
ReplyDeletelkish77123 at gmail dot com
The benefits of an adventuresome child!
DeleteHmm. The best I had was while living in Glasgow Scotland. Blood sausage ang haggis! Yum. And in Austria i cannot remember the name of the schnitzel. But it was awesome
ReplyDeleteidlivru1 at gmail dot com
No wonder you and Catriona hit it off!
DeleteI never really liked hot tea until after I tried it with milk & sugar while I was in England. It's the only way I'll drink it now & I love it.
ReplyDeleteturtle6422(at)gmail(dot)com
So, are you a milk first or tea first drinker? :)
DeleteActually what we learned to make at home was something we ate at a local culinary school called Lobster Voodoo. And they had learned about it from Ruth's Chris steakhouse. The voodoo sauce is a mixture of mayonnaise and different hot sauces. You deep fry either lobster pieces or shrimp and dip them in the voodoo sauce. It is delicious!
ReplyDeleteMy email is mlduffer(at)att(dot)com.
DeleteOh, my! Been to Ruth's Chris a few times, but never had that. Oh, waiter!!!
DeleteCongratulations!!! As you probably know I love champagne! My cousin and I go to a local bar called Nox that makes the most delightful cocktails, named after books and films. I had the Hufflepuff recently. Before he died my dad made me a cocktail with St. Germain...there was white cranberry juice, but I can't remember what else!
ReplyDeletecozyupwithkathy @ gmail dot com
The Hufflepuff! Do tell -- or better yet, pour me one and pass it through the screen!
DeleteSounds yummy! Congrats on the new book!
ReplyDeleteThank you, NCPat!
DeleteMy oldest daughter took me to an Indian restaurant in Washington DC and I enjoyed the food so much that she cooks some for me every time I visit now. Congratulations on your newest book!
ReplyDeletececilialyoung at gmail dot com
Thanks, Cecilia. I think you're the 3d person to mention trying Indian food at another's suggestion -- looks like a trend to me!
DeleteWe had to try prickly pear cactus candy when we visited Scottsdale.
ReplyDeleteYummy, isn't it? I think I first had it there or in Tucson, even though we've got our share of prickly pear up here.
DeleteWhen I was in Italy, I was introduced to Campari. I wasn't all that crazy about the taste, but we were having it with new Italian friends and that made it very special. I also had my first gelato in Florence at Vivoli's. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteContext makes all the difference, doesn't it?
DeleteMy sister introduced me to Moscow Mules a couple of years ago. They are really good on a hot day in a copper mug. The champagne cocktail looks amazing, I'm definitely going to try it.
ReplyDeletediannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com
So how much difference do you think the cute copper mug makes? :)
DeleteI haven't traveled much and tried unusual, but I was w/ an Italian guy for several yrs. who was a great cook, and he got me eating all kinds of fruits and vegetables I'd never tried. And the first time I was introduced to a margarita, when I was about 18, I didn't think I'd like it at all, but it quickly grew on me--from then on, margaritas have been my drink of choice. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteAn excellent choice!
DeleteAll these books look so good! Would love to read them! Thanks for the chance at winning them!
ReplyDeletefaithdcreech at gmail dot com
Happy Holidays, Faith!
DeleteCongrats to both of you. Love both series. I love trying new food, but cannot handle too spicy. I love reading about your food experiences. Thanks for the chance to win. My copy is already pre-ordered kayt18 (at) comcast (dot) net
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay! I'm always curious what people mean when they say they don't like or can't handle anything too spicy -- spicy can mean heat or flavor. And I'm thinking most of you mean heat, like in chile peppers or cumin -- right? An inquiring writer wants to know!
DeleteBeing a mimosa lover I look forward to trying that cocktail. Both books look good, thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDeletebrowninggloria at hotmail dot com
Cheers! Thanks, Gloria!
DeleteThe books look awesome and interesting. I tried bloody Mary’s didn’t like the sauce. Their better without it, with lots of vegetables like celery, pickles, etc. I want to read your books! Thanks for the chance. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThanks, Donamae! I'm with you on the Bloody Marys -- I'd rather have a mimosa and put the salsa and veggies on my plate!
DeleteSounds like a good drink...today, I am in the land of Gin & Tonic (England)... but I’ve never tried it! I like Fuzzy Navels...vodka, peach Schnapps, and orange juice. Over here they add cranberry to it and call it a Woo-Woo...lol! So I order the Woo-Woo without cranberry juice! Love your books, by the way!
ReplyDeleteI used to vacation at Whidbey Island, Washington and there was a shop that sold salmon spread. Oh my! I asked for the recipe and they gave it to me. I'm eternally grateful. Thank you for your giveaway.
ReplyDeleteWhen I went to Scotland we had profiteroles for dessert, they were amazing! Of course I had to have them when I got home too. I only make them on really special occasions now as they are not fat free. Lol. I could definitely use a champagne cocktail right now... Going to give it a try tonight, thank you! Oh, I bet a cocktail with a profiterole would be great. konecny7(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDelete