Boozy Bookgasms

A Boozy Afterburn: Season 4 Recap

Season 4 Recap:
Welcome to The Afterburn, the season may be over, but we are absolutely not done. We’re diving back into the books that lived rent-free in our heads, putting them on the ultimate scale of yes, no, maybe…and you already know we have opinions.
We’ll be revisiting our favorite MMCs and FMCs, breaking down the spicy scenes, and debating the true definition of "uncle". IYKYK
As always, nothing is off limits! Pull up a chair, pour a strong signature cocktail and join us for the fun!
Signature Cocktail: The Plot Twist Paloma
The Plot Twist Paloma was the perfect pairing for our Season 4 recap—bold, layered, and a little unpredictable. With tequila reposado and smoky mezcal, it mirrors the smooth, slow-burn reads we loved. The grapefruit brings that hint of bitterness (because not every story was sweet), while the ginger habanero syrup delivers the spice—just like the books that caught us off guard and turned up the heat.
Just like this season, every sip comes with a twist.
Ingredients:
1 oz tequila reposado
0.5oz Mezcal
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz ginger & habanero syrup
Top with grapefruit soda
Directions: 
Layer your ingredients in a tall highball over clear ice. Stir quickly. Top with grapefruit soda and garnish with a thin grapefruit wheel.

Love in the crease: Heated Rivalry Part 2

Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid Someone sedate Miranda! Things get heated once again as the ladies break down episodes 3-6 of Jacob Tierney's series, heated Rivalry based on the novel by Rachel Reid. We're talking tuna melts, the ginger ale of it all and forbidden love. So pour yourself a signature cocktail and join us for some laughs as we wrap up season 4!
 
Signature Cocktail: Rivalry Reignited
Today’s cocktail is called Rivalry Reignited. Unlike our last episode’s drink, which was sweet and a little deceptive, this one doesn’t pretend to be nice. Smoky mezcal, sharp grapefruit, and just enough spice to let you know things have escalated. Because once a rivalry crosses the line…there’s no going back.
 
Ingredients: 
2 oz mezcal
1 oz fresh grapefruit juice
½ oz fresh lime juice
½ oz agave syrup
2–3 dashes orange bitters
Tajín or chili-lime seasoning for rim
Ice
Instructions
Rim a rocks glass with lime juice and Tajín.
Fill the glass with ice.
In a shaker combine mezcal, grapefruit juice, lime juice, agave, and bitters.
Shake well and strain over ice.
Garnish with a grapefruit wedge or charred lime.

Puck Yeah! Heated Rivalry Part 1

Heated Riverly by Rachel ReidThis week the cousins are switching up the format! We’re trading paperback pages for power plays and diving headfirst into Heated Rivalry on HBO Max based on the MM romance by Rachel Reid. We'll be joined by a Heated Rivalry superfan, Miranda to recap and review episodes 1-3 and let’s just say, the ice is not the only thing melting. Mix up a Pretty Russian and join us for some laughs! 
 
Signature Cocktail: The Pretty Russian
Tonight’s cocktail is the Pretty Russian — a dangerously smooth blend of vanilla, marshmallow, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. At first sip it’s sweet, creamy, and a little indulgent… but much like a heated rivalry, Pretty on the outside… chaos underneath
Ingredients:
2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
½ oz marshmallow syrup
1 oz half & half or heavy cream
Ice
Optional “Pretty Factor”
1 drop pink food coloring in the cream
Mini marshmallows
White chocolate syrup
Graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar for rim
Prep the Glass (makes it look amazing)
Drizzle white chocolate syrup inside the glass.
Rim the glass with marshmallow fluff then dip in graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar.
Add ice.
Build the Drink
Pour vanilla vodka + coffee liqueur + marshmallow syrup over the ice.
Stir lightly.
Slowly pour the cream (with a tiny drop of pink coloring if you want the swirl effect).
Garnish
Toasted marshmallow on a cocktail pick
Optional: tiny dust of edible shimmer
Flavor
Creamy vanilla latte
Toasted marshmallow sweetness
Rich coffee finish
Basically this is a grown-up marshmallow latte that looks like it belongs in a romance book scene.

Sorry (not sorry) Dad!

Inevitable by Jenna HartleyThis week the cousins are talking about Inevitable by Jenna Hartley—where a summer internship turns into a dangerously tempting situation with her dad’s best friend. This one has some of us all hot and bothered and others clutching their pearls. So, mix up a WAP and join us for the fun!
 
Signature Cocktail: WAP (Wet and Potent)
Tonight's beverage of choice is strong enough to withstand the roller coaster of emotions we are about to take. It's sweet, bold, slightly messy and has just enough alcohol to help us cope with tension in this book, and let's be honest, who doesn't like a WAP. 
Ingredients:
2 oz vodka 
1 oz watermelon liqueur
1 oz pineapple juice
1 splash of lime juice
For spicy flavor rim the glass with Tajin
For sweet flavor rim the glass with sugar
lime wheel for garnish
Rim tumblers with preferred flavor (spicy or sweet)and add ice.  Add  ice, vodka, watermelon liqueur, pineapple juice and lime to a cocktail shaker and shake vigorously. Pour into iced tumblers. Garnish with the lime wheel and enjoy. 

The Devil Went Down...and stayed there

The Devil's Advocate by Ashley Jade
Hey Boozy Book Lovers! Today we are going to make Lynn smile when we finally finish the second book in a duet! The cousins are recapping and reviewing book two of the Devil’s Playground duet by Ashley Jade, and let’s just say… if you thought book one was messy, buckle up. 
We’re talking obsession, political power plays, true crime, revenge, and a romance that refuses to behave itself. Damien and Eden are back, making choices that will have you screaming, swooning, and maybe texting your therapist “you up?”
So grab your drink, lower your expectations for healthy relationships, and join us for some laughs!
Signature Cocktail: The Devil Will Get You
Ingredients:
1 1/2 ounce vodka or tequila
1 1/2 ounce peach puree
1/2 ounce lime juice
Chile-lime seasoning
Ice cubes
Instructions:
Rim your glass with Tajin. In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine your alcohol liquid, peach puree and lime juice. Shake until chilled about 30 seconds. Strain into the prepared glass. 
 

Devil in the Details…and the Bedroom

The Devil by Ashley Jade
Tonight the cousins dive headfirst into Book One in The Devil's Playground duet where the men are dangerous, the tension is sinful, and the emotional damage comes with a side of sexual chemistry. 
Pour a drink and join us as we unpack power plays, toxic flirting, and a love triangle that feels less like romance and more like potential for felony charges. Cheers to bad decisions and even worse men.
Signature Cocktail: Devil's Heart
Ingredients:
1/2 oz 1883 Spicy Syrup4 oz White Tequila1 oz honey3 oz cranberry juicesplash of lime juice
 
Pour all the ingredients in a shaker, add ice and shake well during 10 seconds. Strain in chilled Martini glass. Decorate with a pepper and a lime peel. 

May the Best Ghoul Win

Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Today the cousins are entering the dark, deadly, and frankly very sexy world of Phantasma, the gothic competition where contestants must survive a series of terrifying trials inside a cursed castle. Think haunted house meets Hunger Games, with just enough brooding men to make everyone question their survival priorities.
So pour yourself something strong, light a candle that probably shouldn’t be flickering like that, and laugh along with Kim, Jen and Lynn!

One Hell of a Benefits Package

Promise Me Forever by Sadie Kincaid
The cousins are back with one of our FAV authors! This office romance delivers longing so intense it should come with a workplace hazard sign. We’ve got sexual tension that escalates faster than a skipped HR meeting, and promises that are less pinky swear and more blood oath in designer shoes.
So grab your beverage, silence your inner moral compass, and join us as we unpack love, loyalty, and the kind of romance that absolutely does not come with a 401k.
 
Signature Cocktail: Promise Forever
Ingredients:
2 oz pomegranate vodka (or regular vodka with pomegranate juice)
1 oz cherry liqueur
1 oz simple syrup
½ oz lime juice
Ice cubes
Cherry or lime wheel, for garnish
Instructions:
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add vodka, cherry liqueur, simple syrup, and lime juice. Shake well until chilled. Strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. Garnish with a cherry or lime wheel.
 

When you Love Him to Pieces...

Scattered Bones by Nicole ScaranoWho doesn’t want to fall in love with a thief, catch the attention of the gods, and embark on the most dangerously unhinged scavenger hunt imaginable—tracking down your husband’s missing body parts? Come along with the cousins as they take on this crazy, somewhat romantic adventure.
 
Signature Cocktail: Mezcal Bone Crusher
Tonight's beverage of choice is not for the faint of heart. It is smokey, bold and the perfect cocktail for when you want to work with Death himself to piss off the rest of the gods all in the pursuit of Happily Ever After-ish.
Ingredients:
8 oz Mezcal (Del Maguey VIda recommended)
2 oz fresh lime juice
2 squirts of Sriracha
2 oz simple syrup
Chipotle chili powder for the rim and surface of the drink
lime wheel for garnish
Rim two 12oz tumblers with chili powder and fill with ice. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and add the Mezcal, lime juice, simple syrup and sriracha. Shake well and pour into iced glasses. Sprinkle a top coat of the chili powder over the surface of the drink and garnish with the lime wheel. 

Snowed in and Outnumbered

Three Swedish Mountain Men by Lily GoldJoin the cousins as these rugged men save a woman on the run—from her life and a blizzard. With nowhere to go and nothing to do but survive, there’s really only one option: share a bed, abandon all boundaries, and stumble into forever.
 
Signature Cocktail:
Sex on a Snowbank
5-6 Pieces Ice
1.5 oz Malibu Coconut Rum *
1.5 oz Cream of Coconut
Instructions:
Add all of the ingredients to a blender.
Blend until smooth.
Rim a Martini glass with chocolate syrup and dip in coconut flakes.
Add the mixture to the glass and enjoy.