Thursday Give Away– ASHFORD!
I did mention a very special Thursday give away for today, didn’t I? I’ve been hoarding my last two advance copies of The Ashford Affair
So, for today’s Thursday give away, we have a signed advance copy of The Ashford Affair!
Here’s the official blurb:
From New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig comes a page-turning novel about two women in different eras, and on different continents, who are connected by one deeply buried secret.
As a lawyer in a large Manhattan firm, just shy of making partner, Clementine Evans has finally achieved almost everything she’s been working towards—but now she’s not sure it’s enough. Her long hours have led to a broken engagement and, suddenly single at thirty-four, she feels her messy life crumbling around her. But when the family gathers for her grandmother Addie’s ninety-ninth birthday, a relative lets slip hints about a long-buried family secret, leading Clemmie on a journey into the past that could change everything. . . .
Growing up at Ashford Park in the early twentieth century, Addie has never quite belonged. When her parents passed away, she was taken into the grand English house by her aristocratic aunt and uncle, and raised side-by-side with her beautiful and outgoing cousin, Bea. Though they are as different as night and day, Addie and Bea are closer than sisters, through relationships and challenges, and a war that changes the face of Europe irrevocably. But what happens when something finally comes along that can’t be shared? When the love of sisterhood is tested by a bond that’s even stronger?
From the inner circles of British society to the skyscrapers of Manhattan and the red-dirt hills of Kenya, the never-told secrets of a woman and a family unfurl.
The Ashford Affair
So, for a copy of The Ashford Affair, here’s your question:
What’s your favorite 1920s drink– or 1999 cocktail?
Winner to be announced on Sunday– or Monday, if I forget on Sunday again.
P.S. If you’re in a book club, and would like to add Ashford to your spring line-up, just email me about getting Ashford bookmarks for the group and setting up an author phone-in.
I’m more of a wine girl, but my bestie has a killer recipe for a “Lady Edith” that I’m dying to try. Sloe gin ftw!
The Old Fashioned and Cosmopolitan of course!
Are you still going to have the Ashford designer drink contest?
Back in 1999, I think the frat houses were serving me Sex on the Beach.
Sidecar!!!
Slow Gin Fizz
I prefer a nice glass of white wine but, ever now and then a cosmopolitan hits the spot!
Hands down a mint julep!! If it’s made with good liquor and fresh mint, there’s nothing better! And I’m not a big drinker but I do love mint juleps!
I’m not *too* much of a drinker, but I had a lime mojito a few years back that was pretty delicious!
That’s easy! The Sidecar, my grandmother’s fave.
ce cubes
1/2 fluid ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/2 fluid ounce Cointreau or triple sec
1 fluid ounce brandy
1 lemon wedge (or just a curl, even better)
Mmm, I love champagne punch. Though right now I would like a brandy alexander.
I’m a cosmo girl all the way!
Gin and Tonic…always clean and fresh tasting! I love the juniper!
I really like Cosmopolitans
Definitely a Sidecar!!!
Cointreau, Brandy, lemon juice.
I like a mojito as long as it’s made properly.
Like others prefer white wine but would go with a Mary Pickford- rum, pineapple juice and grenadine.
Cosmopolitans were always refreshing.
I’m a big Cosmo fan too… but I wouldn’t say no to a good Bellini either! 🙂
Mimosa!!
I’m all about the Tom Collins, in it’s matching glass of course, or the Gin Fizz.
Spiced rum and cola, as long as it isn’t diet!
Kool-Aid. Who of us didn’t enjoy a large pitcher of bright red Kool-Aid during our childhood summers? Originally called Fruit Smack and sold in 4 oz. bottles of concentrated drink mix until 1927 when inventor Edward Perkins of Hastings, Nebraska found a way to dehydrate the concentrate into a dry powder. Which he then renamed Kool-Ade. He later changed the name to our modern spelling of Kool-Aid.
As for cocktails of the 1920’s, I think I’d go with the ‘Bee’s Knees’, a combination of gin, honey, lemon and orange juice.
How neat! I never knew that Kool-Aid went back that far….
I am a fan of a classic martini…made with gin, of course!
I’m not much of a drinker, but I love what we call in French a “kir”, but with a slight twist: cider and peach liqueur… or even cider and maple sugar!
I’ll second the vote for mimosas!
It will have to be the creamy dessert-like White Russian. ….Mmmmmmm….
I’ll take a highball if we’re dishing out 1920s drinks. I’ve never tried it, but a Mary Pickford also sounds fantastic.
Was the Moscow Mule around in the 20s? Because those are delicious. The Passenger in DC serves a great one.
I don’t drink much, but have a weakness for a refreshing Mimosa! mmm 🙂
A Scotch Highball! It was my grandmother’s favorite, too.
I ordered it at a bar once and the bartender dropped his bar towel and said, “I never expected that drink order to come out of your mouth- most girls just want cosmos- where did you come from, 1890?” Whiskey girls for the win 😉
I love that story, Allison!
There is a restaurant in my city called “The Viceroy” that has a speakeasy ambiance to it, and to enter into the joint you have to know the “code word.” It makes my inner flapper feel cherished and alive (I swear I was a flapper in my previous life). So, the drink I order there is the “Mary Pickford,” which was actually created in the Prohibition Era by the famous bartender Eddie Woelke.
Thanks for having this giveaway!!
~Tiffany
The mimosa — champagne with orange juice. Perfect to drink at a brunch. 🙂
I love sangria – red or white!
Mojito with its sweet lemony taste and an island of gently floating mint leaves is my all time favorite. In summer months it is cooling and in winter soothing to the throat…
This is a difficult question for those of us that don’t drink or know much about alcoholic beverages. Having said that, my favorite beverage is a nice cup of Darjeeling or Oolong tea (preferably a Darjeeling Oolong but I don’t think it was available in the 1920s or in 1999).
Though it dates to the 1880s, I don’t think the Ol’ Fashioned reached its zenith until the 1950s and 60s. Don Draper likes them and that’s what compelled me to try one…because everyone wants to be like Don Draper! 🙂 I’m a particular fan of my local’s version that features kumquats instead of cherries. Odd, yes, but tasty!
A&W rootbeer! In a frosted mug of course. Delicious, sugary carbonation that’s stayed classic since the 20’s.
The Southside: gin, lime, mint and simple syrup. I love how all the prohibition (in the US) era drinks all call for basically rotgut gin. I don’t know what it tastes like with rotgut but with good gin it’s pretty tasty!
Strawberry Bellini!
I don’t drink much but I do enjoy a Cosmopolitan from time to time 😉
I’ve never actually had one, but a kir royale sounds so fun
Gimlets! I adore gin and gimlets are my favorite way to use it…I would have made an excellent flapper, I think. 🙂
I’ve actually never drank, so I have to be completely lame and say that my favorite think is sparkling apple cider. I always look forward to having it at special occasions. So good!
I don’t drink much but have occasionally enjoyed a refreshing mimosa or cosmo! I’ve never had a gin and tonic but always thought it sounded bracing…
I don’t drink much. But, I do enjoy Sangria w/ my “Ear Candy” bookclub girls.
Cosmopolitans are still my favorite.
I too love Cosmopolitans.
Although, I think a Red Death sounds very good as well!
Oh! For 190’s cocktails..I suppose that would be the “Bees Knees”!
Gin, lemon, orange juice and a spoonful of honey.
In ’99 I was still hooked on Tequila Sunrises. I still can’t seem to find one that was as good as the ones I had on my honeymoon in ’98..
Thank you for also loving a good tequila sunrise!
A gin fizz (provided I have the appropriate flapper-style dress)! 🙂 Otherwise, I’ll take a glass of Riesling.
Who doesn’t love a Sidecar?
And as for 1999, tequilla sunrise. Yup. And now you want one too 🙂
Al Capone’s drink, The Southside: gin, lime, mint and simple syrup.
A Screwdriver! (Vodka and OJ)
I don’t really drink cocktails, but the Fallen Angel sounds good since I like mint.
Sign me up for a sloe gin fizz!
Negroni Sbagliato. Fizzy and a perfect balance between bitter and sweet.
Gin and tonic year round although they are more refreshing in the summer.
Thinking of those gentlemen of almost a hundred years ago I would think an Irish whiskey with a little water and no ice would be just fine.
Lime vodka sour was my choice then…or a shot of tequila (because it got straight to the point and made everyone stare when I did it with a straight face..Hehe!). Also from the “Earcandy” bookclub…because we do it with Audios!
Cosmopolitan! Thanks and Merry Christmas!
Anything with champagne!
A smooth nutmeg homemade egg nogs with brandy! Delicious and festive!
I discovered this on a cruise, and whenever I want to feel like I’m back on it again, I make this frozen ’99 era concoction…
The BBC
Banana
Ice
1 1/3 oz. Bailey’s Irish Cream
2 oz Pina Colada Mix
2/3 oz Banana Liqueur or Creme de Bananas
Fill the blender with ice, then throw in the remaining ingredients. Blend and pour. Put on your Hawaiian shirt and enjoy your beverage.
I’m not sure if it was invented in the 1920s, but when I picture flappers and fedoras there are always Gin and Tonic’s around. In my head anyway!
Prohibition-era grape juice concentrate, which included a warning of what *not* to do, lest it turn into wine.
Hee hee. That’s brilliant.
Gin Fizzes and Mint Juleps, of course! Who can resist gin or bourbon?
I reality I’m not much of a drinker so “Shirley Temple” would be great, but in theory defenitely elegant James Bond’s “shaken not stirred” Vodka Martini. With vodka making traditions going back to the 8th century (or maybe even earlier in exotic Persia), widely known in Poland during the 11th century and later in Russia, in the 19th century ice cold vodka became popularized across the Europe by Russian soldiers during Napoleonic Wars!
So fascinating how these drinks travel and change! Like gin making its way from being the crack cocaine of the early 18th century to respectability as a late colonial tipple.
I doubt it was around in the Twenties but what I like now is a Bahama Mama. Or anything topical fruit and rum. Do not forget the obligatory paper umbrella. That’s the cat’s pajamas.
A smooth nutmeg homemade egg nog with brandy! Delicious and festive! Here is a great recipe!
Eggnog Base Ingredients~
12 large eggs yolks (reserve the whites)
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, or to taste
1 liter bourbon
1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3/4 cup Cognac or brandy
1/2 cup Myers’s dark rum
Optional (1 Freshly grated nutmeg)
Pinch salt
Whipped Whites and Cream Ingredients~
12 egg whites
1 1/2 cups cold heavy cream
Combine the yolks and sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth and pale yellow..
Add the the remaining ingredients of the eggnog base.
Whisk egg whites in a clean bowl until stiff peaks form.
Whip cream and gently whisk with eggwhites into the eggnog base. Remove to the punch bowl or other large receptacle.
Grate nutmeg on top!
This recipe originally calls for aging the eggnog base, minus cream and egg whites, in the fridge for a week or more. But it is delicious just like this! It is delicious virgin also, just replace liquor with milk.
Yummy!
I’ve not had one in forever but…a Golden Cadillac was a cult fave in college. Galliano and milk…yes, I did say milk. It was a sipping cocktail for sure 🙂
My dear mom’s was a Cuba Libre…good ol’ rum and Coke with a fancy name!
The classic dry Martini (make it a double) There are 3 ways to make a dry martini:
DRY: Pour in the Vermouth, swirl in the glass then pour it all out and add gin
VERY DRY: Pour in your favorite gin then put the Vermouth into an atomizer and spray lightly over the surface of the gin.
ULTIMATE DRY: Pour in your favorite gin, then wave the vermouth bottle above the gin.
Bottoms up!
A gimlet!
A dirty martini. 😉
I think this is a twist on the the classic Winter Cocktail, but the Woodburning Stove at Weegee’s classic cocktail lounge in Chicago is one of my current favorites: New Holland amber rum, Koval ginger liqueur, and almond syrup, sprinkled with nutmeg.
Vodka martini, very dry, lots of olives. Top shelf liquor only.
Wow, I didn’t have a favorite 1920s cocktail til this prompted me to google them. Since I like sweet drinks, I’d like to try a Mary Pickford, I think: 1 ½ ounces white rum
1 ounce unsweetened pineapple juice
½ teaspoon grenadine
Looking forward to the book!
My favourite 1999 drink would have to be a Paralyzer. I never quite figured out how to mix one without it curdling, but after enough attempts I couldn’t remember enough to care!
A 1920’s drink that I would like to try would be a Mint Julep; it is sophisticated and completely fits with the holiday season as well. I wonder if it would be gauche to add a candy cane as decoration…
Oo, definitely a gimlet or a gin fizz- we served those at our 20s themed mystery dinner party!
Southside! gin, mint, simple syrup!
Mmm…a Mary Pickford definitely
Sloe gin fizz. The only reason they’re considered a “lady’s drink” is their pink & fluffy appearance.
whiskey with a splash of water.
Champers good in any year…..and of course a vodka Collins for a nice summer cool down.
I don’t drink often, but when I do, I always go for a mojito. They are absolutely delicious!
Can’t resist a well made Mint Julep!
In 1999 I think I was going through a black Russian phase.
Hands down, my favorite mixed drink is a vodka gimlet.
Coca Cola! Still a classic now 😉
A midori sour!
A Black and Tan!
I just learned that the term “Black and tan” is considered offensive to many Irish people, which I did not realize. In retrospect, i should have realized this. For this, I apologize. I still like the drink, though.
Planter’s Punch
Mint Julep
a cosmo
I love the 1920s, but I have to admit my favorite cocktail is from the 90s – Champagne Punch! I just love the bubbles!
Whiskey Sours
Cosmo
If I’m in 1920 – it’s gotta be a Planter’s Punch. Back in 1999 I was already pretty sold on Amaretto Sour’s as my drink of choice.
I can’t wait to get my hands on this new adventure of yours!
Cosmopolitan! A classic!
I have to say I am an Old Fashioned girl myself, but recently I’ve been drinking Pear Sidecars. I have no idea what it is about the pear, but it makes a sidecar taste that much better. In 1999 I wasn’t old enough to drink, but a girl can’t go wrong with a Cosmo.
Cosmos! I couldn’t wait to get to college and have cosmos – felt like such a grown up to order a “real” drink. Now I’d feel out of touch if I ordered one at a bar!
DiSaronno and cream–smoooooooth and yummy!
Well, I was 12 in 1999, so that didn’t fly 🙂 But, if I knew then what I know now, I would have gone for sangria!
Black Orchid. Just make a bet with the bartender you can name a drink he does not know. This has won me many free drinks. And the drink is really good too.
Well, I was only 20 in 1999. So naturally jello o shots were my thing!
I love spiced rum!!
Gin and Tonic would have to get my vote.
a sidecar!
of course, i would rather have a straight whiskey than a cocktail
Martini all the way!
Cosmopolitan please!
In 1999, I was drinking Tanqueray and Tonics! 🙂
Hot chocolate 😛
I’m a huge fan of margaritas, but they were from the 1940s or so… the sidecar is a close cousin so I’d have to go with that for the 1920s drink.
(I tried to enter earlier but got an error, so trying again.)
In 1999, I’d just turned 18 and I drank a lot of Paralyzers that year (yuck!). Now, I’d much rather have a Pimm’s Cup!
Gin and tonic is a favorite of mine.
Whiskey sour
The Mary Pickford! Yum!
The Great Gatsby is my favorite book so definitely a mint julep!
Definitely a manhattan.
I’m a red wine girl, so the Dubonnet cocktail sounds fab! Also spotted a raspberry rickey online (you can’t go wrong with vodka and chambourd!) which appears to be the great-great grandparent of the Mojito. I’d love to try one of those,
appletini! 🙂
The Mary Pickford 😉
I don’t drink, but I think there’s a drink from around then called the Bee’s Knee’s and I think that is hilarious. =)
I’ve always loved classic cocktails, and the Old Fashioned is my go-to cocktail whenever I go out. Preferably made with a good single malt whiskey like Talisker…
I love a good coral drop. Crushed lemon, vodka, sweet and sour and a splash of chambord (raspberry liquor). DELIOUS!
Mimosas! Now I want a coral drop because the post above mine sounds mouthwatering 😛
Champers !!! or if in the summer, a nice Tom Collins, I think they were around back then !
This is a cocktail I had in 1999, probably the only one I’ve ever liked: a Grasshopper. It comprises equal parts Crème de menthe, Crème de cacao and fresh cream; it’s green, smooth, and sweet.
There are so many good drinks from the 20s! But I think anything with Gin would be the winner.
A Southside sounds good right about now 😉
I’ve been wanting to try the 1920s Black Velvet cocktail – Guinness and champagne.
I am all about the raspberry Cosmo – yum!
I always think of Champagne as the drink of choice in the 1920’a, but if you want a actual mixed drink, I would say the Manhattan.
A good simple drink like a vodka tonic is always a good choice. I am also partial to Bloody Marys and the ever classic, martini.
My great-uncle (a distant connection of the Lafittes) ran a speakeasy in the Midwest during Prohibition. The best thing to have was an “old-school” Sazerac (made with cognac instead of rye). The original recipe called for cognac, still popular if a touch old-fashioned in the 20’s.
Napoleon House in NOLA makes a terrific version.
One teaspoon simple syrup
3 drops Angostura bitters
4 drops Peychaud’s bitters
1 ½ ounces Old Overhold Straight Rye Whiskey (or cognac)
A few drops Pernod
Lemon peel
Chill a short rocks glass with ice, then pour out the ice. Add the bitters, swirling the drops in the glass. Add the rye whiskey. Add the simple syrup. Add drops of Pernod evenly around the glass. Rub the lemon peel on the rim of the glass and then twist it into a garnish.
In ’99 it was Salty Dogs all the way! 🙂 Now it is the house wine of the south….sweet tea! Merry Christmas Lauren!
Definitely a French 75.
A Mary Pickford!
The Old Fashioned!
Pomegranate martini
Gimlets!
I love mojitos.
Jack Rose is my favorite 1920s cocktail.
Sidecar sounds good to me.