Today sees the release of The Silk Romance, and I can’t tell you how excited I am! Well, actually, I could tell you, but I’d have to use so many adjectives my Thesaurus would implode :)
I still have to pinch myself when I tell people The Silk Romance is available here on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Barnes and Noble, other e-tailers, and of course my publishers, MuseItUp Publishing.
How fabulous is that! Of course there may be some of you who don’t share my wild excitement (well, pretty much the rest of the world), but who cares, when there’s cocktails!
Since The Silk Romance is set in Lyon, and I’m a British author, I thought what could be better than to have a patriotic cocktail theme to celebrate launch day. I’ve put together a colourful selection of cocktails in red, white and blue – or bleu, blanc, rouge for the tricolor :)
So pick a colour – or why not have one of each? It’s time to celebrate! And if you do read The Silk Romance, and I hope you do, please call in some time and let me know how you enjoyed it. Besides my blog, you can find me on Goodreads, Twitter or Facebook, and I always love to meet people!
In the meantime, salut, cheers and down the hatch!
First up, White Russian
When someone once told me you could make a delicious alcoholic cocktail with milk, I didn’t believe them. But as my mum used to say at dinner time, “Don’t say you don’t like it, until you’ve tried it.” Good advice, mum! I tried White Russians, and they are fabulous :)
To make, fill an old-fashioned tumbler with ice. Add 2 tbsp vodka and 2 tbsp Kahlúa, or other coffee liqueur. Top up gently with approx 1 tbsp single cream or milk.
Blue Lagoon
Don’t be deceived by the simple ingredients. This cocktail is dangerously more-ish!
Take one part Russian vodka and one part Blue Curaçao. Mix together in a tall glass, and top up with lemonade. Decorate glass with a slice of orange or lemon, and add a straw and ice to suit.
Cranberry Bellinis
Slightly more preparation involved for this elegant cocktail, but the effort is defnitely worthwhile.
You will need:
- 200g cranberries
- 50g caster sugar
- 150ml fresh orange or clementine juice
- 1 bottle chilled champagne or prosecco
- Place the cranberries, sugar and orange or clementine juice in a small pan. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for a few minutes, until soft. Press through a fine mesh sieve and leave to cool, before covering and leaving to chill.
- Give the purée a stir.
- Place a tablespoonful in the bottom of a champagne flute.
- Top up with fizz and give a quick twizzle to blend.
Helena Fairfax 
I always think a misspent youth is so very useful when becoming a novelist. Good luck with the launch, Helena.
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Congratulations! Have downloaded onto Kindle.
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Thanks for coming, and I hope you enjoy it! Will just mix you up a Malibu and pineapple…. :)
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Thanks Anne! Hard to believe this day has finally arrived. Thanks for coming!
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We are so excited to find a novel that is set in and brings Lyon to life! Enjoy the cocktails to mark the publication! Hope it does really well! It would be the Cranberry Bellini for us!
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Hi Trip Fiction team, and welcome! Thanks so much for coming by. I love the idea behind your website. I’m definitely having a root through your selection of books next time I’m on holiday :) Have a large Bellini, and cheers!
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Hey, Helena. Congrats! I’m so happy for you. Love the cover! And Wow! Could you have asked for a better first review! Just super! (It’s a ! mark kind of day! :)) I FBed and Tweeted that and will this one, too.
I love the coctail party. I’m going to exchange the White Russian for a Brandy Ice, made with vanilla ice cream. Can you say dreamy? My mouth is watering already.
Will try to stop by MIU blog, but have the grands here this morning, it may be later this afternoon. Happy dancing for you, lady.
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A Brandy Ice – that sounds delicious! Thanks so much for taking the time to come by, Marsha. Please don’t worry about visiting the Muse blog. It sounds like you have a busy (but fun!) day. It’s really kind of you to take the time to drop in. I have some fizzy Vimto for the grandchildren (traditional northern English pop/soda :) ) Have a lovely weekend!
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Squeeee–I’m doin’ a happy dance for you right now AND I haven’t even had a drink! LOL..Very clever to offer the “patriotic” drinks. Now I must go and google Lyon to find out its history. This is a holiday weekend here in the USA, Memorial Day, so I am looking forward to spending time with The Silk Romance on my Kindle. Enjoy this very special day!!!
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Thanks for coming, J.Q. Rose. It’s a holiday in the UK too – Bank Holiday Monday – and I have your Coda to Murder calling me to read. Have a great weekend!
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Congratulations Helena and all best wishes for a great success!
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Thanks Marie! Help yourself to a cocktail! I’m looking forward to talking to you on your blog in June :)
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Many congratulations, Helena – may you have great success! It sounds lovely.
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Thanks Rosemary. Good to meet you here, and I hope all is well with you!
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Hey, i’m with you. This is exciting. And another great book to download. I’m thinking cranberry drink. there is a cranberry bog just down the road. Enjoy the day and ever after. Mary
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Thanks Mary. It’s been a good day. Thanks for coming by to celebrate. Hope you enjoy the cranberry bellini! :)
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