Sunday, July 31, 2011

Sherri Travis’s Watermelon Splash



Please welcome today's guest blogger, the very talented Phyllis Smallman, author of the Sherri Travis mysteries. As Sherri is a bartender when she's not sleuthing, Phyllis has asked her to provide us with an easy and cooling drink. This is an excellent series with a witty sleuth, now paying off for us with this fun recipe.





When MJ asked me for a drink recipe I looked in The Mystery Lover’s Kitchen and there was Avery picking apricots and making candy. As the lady said, “Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker,” and I’m all for a quickie. And what’s with this candy making? What’s wrong with M &Ms? They come in so many pretty colours.

I work in a bar. Well, much to my surprise, the bank and I actually own it, at least until they repossess it. Things being what they are, I pretty much live at the Sunset and I eat there too, so making a peanut butter sandwich is pretty much a stretch for me. But I’m all over drinks. I’ve got dozens of them in my head but just in case someone throws me a zinger I keep a little bar book full of recipes beneath the counter.

All you need for this one is a seedless watermelon and a blender, this bartender’s favourite tool. Well, except for...no, no, mustn’t go there. So, scoop out the pulp of the watermelon, drop it in the blender, give it a whirl and then pour the juice into a tall glass jug and add a glass swizzle stick to stir it with. It looks so pretty on your bar. Splash an ounce of vodka in the bottom of a tall, slim, Tom Collins glass filled with ice and top it up with the pretty pink watermelon juice. Garnish with a sprig of mint and bring on the heat because you’ve got a Watermelon Splash.

Now back to the food. You do know you are all crazy don’t you? Things come in frozen trays now or, when you’re feeling flush, you can dial and dine. But if you ever need someone to eat your delicious concoctions give me a call. I’ll bring the vodka!


Phyllis Smallman

Phyllis Smallman’s debut mystery was short listed for the Debut Dagger in the UK and won the first Arthur Ellis Unhanged Arthur in 2007. In 2009 MARGARITA NIGHTS was shortlisted for the best first novel by the Crime Writer’s of Canada. In 2010, Good Morning America named the Sherri Travis mysteries as one of the top six series for a summer read. CHAMPAGNE FOR BUZZARDS, the fourth book in the Sherri Travis series, came out in April 2011. Phyllis worked in a library and as a potter before moving to Salt Spring Island, British Columbia, and turning to a life of crime. Find out more about Phyllis and Sherri at www.phyllissmallman.com


5 comments:

  1. Phyllis, this sounds so perfect! I just came in from the sweltering heat. I have watermelon and vodka . . .

    ~ Krista

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  2. Currently have one watermelon on the vine--maybe 3 inches across. If it ever grows up to be a big watermelon, you've provided the perfect recipe. Without a doubt, the watermelon will be of legal age by the time it's big enough to harvest.

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  3. Phyllis, this sounds perfect! What a pretty drink, and I love that it uses watermelons (so inexpensive right now.) Can't wait to try this! Thanks for coming by. :)

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  4. Cool. Sweet. Smart. Hmmm...sounds like you, this drink, and Sherri have a lot in common, Phyllis. Thanks for giving the Kitchen a Sunday refresher. :)

    Cheers,
    ~ Cleo

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  5. You and Sherri are a hoot, Phyllis. And this drink seems just perfect!

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