Mr. Stone’s Suggestions for Mixing Temptation (That Didn’t Make the Book)

I love answering questions from readers. And ones that I see more and more are: how supportive is your husband? Does he read your stories? Does he offer suggestions?

Mr. Stone is amazing. He watches the kids while I write and listens while I plot out loud. But no, he doesn’t read my stories. He works a lot and his leisure reading is limited to what the kids want to hear. And he never (unless asked) offers suggestions for ‘Those Scenes.’ (And yes, I’m talking about the steamy scenes. I write romance and have a pretty good idea where your mind went when you read the title for this article:)

 However, with this new series, he took an interest in the bar setting. He loves mixing up cocktails. Now Big Buck’s Bar, the fictional setting for the Second Shot series, caters to Oregon loggers and college students. It’s know for it’s beer thanks to Josie, the heroine from Serving Trouble (Second Shot #1). I’ll be the first to admit I love a good craft beer or a glass of wine, but I don’t drink cocktails. Mr. Stone knows this and volunteered to help with the fictional drink menu. After all the college and grad students who frequent the bar love a good Bloody Mary on Sundays. And Dominic, the hero of Stirring Attraction (Second Shot #2), enjoys a good martini.

If you’re looking to mix up a drink after reading the series, Mr. Stone suggests:

The Portland Proper

Ingredients:

2 oz rye

½ oz sweet vermouth

¼ oz lemon juice

3 dashes orange bitters

(2) 1” wide lemon peel slices

Directions:

Pour rye, vermouth, lemon juice, and bitters into a cocktail

shaker.

Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds.

Pour over extra large ice sphere in chilled Mason jar.

Squeeze lemon peels over drink to mist with citrus oil then drop in.

 

The Monmouth Mary (for four)

Ingredients:

12 oz vodka

24 oz V8 (low sodium)

4 oz lemon juice

12 dashes orange bitters

12 dashes Tabasco sauce

3 drops pine essence oil

(8) 1” wide lemon peel slices (2 per serving)

4 small fir sprigs

Directions:

Pour vodka, lemon juice, bitters, Tabasco sauce, and pine oil into a large cocktail shaker.

Shake vigorously for 12-15 seconds.

Pour over ice in chilled mason jars.

Add V8 juice.

Squeeze lemon peels over drink to mist with citrus oil then drop in.

Garnish with a fir sprig.

 

The Beer Pie Smash

Ingredients:

4 oz Oregon Beer

1 oz Appleton Estate Reserve Rum

½ oz simple syrup

¾ oz lemon juice

3 dashes orange bitters

½ cup crushed ice

(2) ¼” orange slices

Directions:

Pour rum, syrup, lemon juice, and bitters into a cocktail shaker.

Shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds.

Mash orange slices in chilled Mason jar.

Add crushed ice.

Pour drink over crushed ice in chilled Mason jar.

Top with beer and stir lightly.