|
Trailer Park Trickster by David R. SlaytonTRAILER PARK TRICKSTER is the second in David R. Slayton’s series about villainous warlocks, dark powers, and the world of magical creatures that exists just beyond the veil. Plagued by a mysterious dark druid, Adam is the only one who can figure out why he and his family are targets--and hopefully stop the evil in time. Though magical himself, Adam’s powers are minimal. Instead, he’ll have to rely on his wits and the support of his allies, including his hot cop boyfriend, Vic, who just became one of Death’s reapers.
A blue-purple color palette matches the book’s color scheme, while blackberry restores Adam’s favorite childhood flavor, one the druid villain ruined for him with his rotten-fruit smelling magic. Once blended into a juice, the berries turn a deep red, looking dangerous, but irresistible. Frozen into a slush, like cheap, sugary blue raspberry fast food treats, the fresh raspberry in this drink is elevated into a shrub. |
Served in an Aomori Glass Crumpled Paper tumbler with a rainbow sheen that looks like it might belong in the cabinet of some aloof, gorgeous elf, this booktail is presented atop a chess board, a reference to a comparison Vic draws between chess pieces’ rank and the hierarchy of royal elves. A swirling blue backdrop resembles the giant sphere of water known as Sea Upon the Land. On the back right is a three of wands tarot card, a nod to the reversed card Adam pulled when seeking answers to his quest. The blue and purple crystals stand in for the sapphire cliffs of Alfheimr, while toothy sunflowers and blue mushrooms have been plucked from Vic and Argent’s roadtrip beyond the veil.
|
INGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS The process of preparing this cocktail requires a little patience, but the steps are simple and so worth it! First, prepare the shrub per the instructions below, then set aside. Next, mix the blackberries and water in a blender until smooth. Use a mesh strainer to separate the juice from the seeds, stirring as needed. (Yields about ¾ cup.) For each serving, whisk together in a shallow metal bowl: 1 oz of the blackberry juice per 1.5 oz vodka. (The more servings included, the larger the bowl needed to spread the mixture out and ensure it will harden. Freeze no more than three servings in one vessel at a time.) Leave the bowl in the freezer for 2 hours. Just before serving, blend the vodka juice mixture with crushed ice, plus 1 oz syrup and 0.5 oz raspberry shrub per serving. Raspberry Shrub RecipeINGREDIENTS
INSTRUCTIONS Stir together all ingredients in a lidded container. Cover and refrigerate for 2-5 days. Use a fine mesh sieve or nut bag to strain the mixture. Discard solids and store the liquid in a clean bottle or jar. Keep refrigerated. |