LUCY BURDETTE: As a little background refresher, remember that in Death on the Menu food
critic Hayley Snow is thrilled to be working at a three-day international
conference at the Harry S. Truman Little White House. Things
get off to a bad start when Hemingway’s Nobel prize gold medal (which belongs
to Cuba and is on display for this weekend only) disappears. And they only get
worse when a body is
discovered in the storeroom. Hayley
must spring into action before the killer adds another victim to his
menu.
Cat house at Hemingway Home, Key West |
When I was picturing this first ever conference between
Havana and Key West, I could imagine lots of conflict, as the history between
the two countries is fraught with landmines. So then I tried to imagine what
the two countries share and I came up with Ernest Hemingway. His wonderful home
in Key West, where he lived with his second wife Pauline, is one of the most
popular tourist destinations on the island, known for its polydactyl cats. He
also lived outside of Havana for a long stretch of town time with his third wife.
He loved both places (maybe Cuba a little more) and spent much time writing,
fishing, and drinking. So what could go better with Death on the Menu than a Hemingway special cocktail?
Hemingway was a serious drinker who enjoyed his cocktails
powerful, and did not like sugar. So I made a few tweaks to the recipe for
the rest of us!
Hemingway Special Cocktail (serves three)
1/2 cup good rum such as Pussers
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup grapefruit juice (I used pink)
1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 cup grapefruit juice (I used pink)
1/3 cup maraschino cherry juice
1-2 tsp sugar, to taste
Club soda
Maraschino and fresh cherries for garnish
Maraschino and fresh cherries for garnish
Stir together the first five ingredients. Pour over ice and
add club soda to taste. Garnish with cherries. Cheers!
This recipe appeared first on Mystery Playground...

Death on the Menu, the 8th Key West food critic mystery, is available now from Crooked Lane Books. You can order it wherever books are sold!

Death on the Menu, the 8th Key West food critic mystery, is available now from Crooked Lane Books. You can order it wherever books are sold!
Love your book guard cat!
ReplyDeleteWe had a "Hemingway" polydactyl cat. She was wonderful with paws that looked like a catcher's mitt.
These cats were very popular on sailing vessels, believed to have to stability on rolling decks and to be excellent mouser/ratters.
They are most common in the Boston area, I think, because of the shipping history there.
The story I've heard about Hemingway's cats is that when he arrived by ship in Key West he 1-was given, 2-bought, or 3-stole one of the ship's cats, beginning the dynasty.
I had a polydactyl, too. She was beautiful, and so sweet. I'm in Tennessee.
DeleteThat's a great story Libby, whether it's true or not!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to visit Hemingway's house & the cats one day.
ReplyDeleteOh, I know what I'm drinking tonight! Thank you for the sharing with us!
ReplyDeleteI love trying new drinks & your books are always an amazing read.
ReplyDelete