Tonya Mitchell
Bold Women. Dark Stories.
Hosting your next book club? Check out these delicious cocktails themed to my books! Whether you’re meeting virtually or face to face, these drinks are sure to please. Special thanks to my wonderful friend Kay Freyberger, mixologist extraordinaire, who created these delicious recipes!
The Arsenic Eater's Wife
A Feigned Madness
There’s a little something here for everyone, whether you prefer a cocktail, a mocktail, coffee, or a punch to serve your book club. Also, don’t forget to download the Nellie Bly Quiz (at bottom) to stump your fellow book clubbers. It’s fun and the answers are provided.
COCKTAILS
Whether you’re meeting virtually or in a group, these cocktails are sure to please. There’s a little something here for everyone, whether you prefer a cocktail, a mocktail, coffee, or punch. Special thanks to my wonderful friend Kay Freyberger, mixologist extraordinaire, who created these delicious recipes!
The Nellie Bly
This drink is similar to a Cosmopolitan, taken up a notch. Feminine, but not a pushover, spunky and sweet—just like Nellie!
1 ounce Vodka
1/2 ounce St. Germain (Elderflower liquor)
1/2 ounce Solerno (blood orange liquor - can substitute Cointreau)
2-3 ounces Ocean Spray Cranberry juice
Fresh lime slices
Combine vodka, St. Germain, Solerno and cranberry juice in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 30 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass, straight up, no ice. Give the lime slice a gentle squeeze over the drink and wedge the slice to the glass for garnish.
Spicy Pandemonium Mocktail
Don’t let this non-alcoholic drink fool you. It’s funky, with fresh juice and jalapeno peppers, and packs its own punch!
1/4 cup fresh squeezed pink grapefruit juice
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup honey simple syrup *
Jalapeno slices (cut out the inside of the pepper and discard the seeds)
Ginger Beer
Combine the juices, honey simple syrup and 2 jalapeno slices in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for 60 seconds (the longer the better, as this releases the jalapeno into the juices). Strain into an ice filled glass. Top with 1/4 cup ginger beer. Garnish with jalapeno slices.
*Honey Simple Syrup - Combine 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup water in a small pot and heat over the stove. Stir constantly and immediately turn to simmer once the mixture has come to a boil. Add one teaspoon of vanilla and continue to simmer and stir for 1 minute. Let cool. This can be stored in the fridge and microwaved for 30 seconds if the honey has hardened.
The Pulitzer
This coffee martini is similar to a White Russian, without the cream. It’s bold, powerful, and hardworking—just like the newspaper proprietor who inspired it.
1 ounce Honey Simple Syrup*
1&1/2 ounce Kahlua
1&1/2 ounce Vodka
1 ounce prepared espresso or a bold cold brew coffee
Dab some of the honey simple syrup on the rim of a martini glass and dip the rim in a plate of granulated sugar. Combine the honey simple syrup, Kahlua, vodka and espresso in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake for about 30 seconds. Strain contents into the martini glass, straight up, no ice and enjoy!
*Honey Simple Syrup - Combine 1/4 cup honey and 1/4 cup water in a small pot and heat over the stove. Stir constantly and immediately turn to simmer once the mixture has come to a boil. Add one teaspoon of vanilla extract and continue to simmer and stir for 1 minute. Let cool. This can be stored in the fridge and microwaved for 30 seconds if the honey has hardened.
Muddled Madness
When the world opens back up, try this refreshing punch. Kay says it’s been a huge hit at parties. With the fresh mint, juices, and rum, who’s to say otherwise?
1 cup fresh mint
1/2 cup sugar
1&3/4 cups light rum
1&1/4 cups fresh lime juice
3/4 cup frozen cranberry juice thawed (look in the frozen juice section)
20 ounces of chilled sparkling water
With a wooden spoon, muddle the mint and sugar in the bottom of a large glass pitcher. Add the rum and lime juice. Stir well, so all the sugar is dissolved. Mix in thawed cranberry juice and sparkling water. Mix in 3 cups of ice.
Embrazen's Nellie Bly - Revolutionary Cabernet Sauvignon
According to the wine maker, this bold and vibrant Cabernet Sauvignon boasts aromas of ripe fruit with concentrated flavors of blackberry and cherry. The long finish leaves a lasting impression.
Link to wine sellers carrying Embrazen’s Nellie Bly wine:
