Monday, July 26, 2021

Welcome Guest Author Meri Allen and Frozen Margarita #recipe #giveaway

TINA KASHIANI’m excited to welcome my good friend, Meri Allen, to Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen to celebrate her new release, "The Rocky Road to Ruin." Here’s Meri!

In my new mystery, THE ROCKY ROAD TO RUIN, my main character Riley Rhodes becomes manager of an ice cream shop. This is a switch from her former profession -- Riley was a librarian at the CIA with occasional undercover assignments. Yes, it’s a big switch!

Riley learns that the shop’s former owner, Elizabeth “Buzzy” Spooner delighted in creating “boozy” ice creams and sorbets. One of her bestselling recipes is the Ultimate Frozen Margarita, a favorite for bachelorette parties and taco nights.

 

I adore margaritas in any form, on the rocks or frozen, but this delightful sorbet’s velvety texture is hard to beat. Serve it with a spoon and a straw because it will melt into a tasty slushie. Remember, enjoy responsibly – there’s a reason Buzzy called it boozy!

 

Buzzy’s Ultimate Frozen Margarita

2 cups water

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (4-5 limes, depending on size)

3–4 Tbsp triple sec

3–4 Tbsp tequila

1 tsp lime zest


Stir water and sugar in a heavy saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves completely. Increase the heat to medium high and bring to a boil. Pour the sugar base into a bowl.

 


Mix together lime juice, triple sec, tequila, and lime zest. Stir into the sugar base.

 


Cover and refrigerate until cold (about two hours). You can leave it overnight if you wish.

Pour mixture into ice cream maker and process according to manufacturer’s directions. I used the gelato paddle. The sorbet will look like a slushie when it’s finished. Transfer the sorbet to a covered container and freeze until firm (about two hours).


To serve, put glasses in the freezer to chill (about an hour), then scoop sorbet into them. Serve with spoons, but have straws ready because it’s delicious as a slushie, too! Enjoy responsibly!

Makes approximately four servings. 


 GIVEAWAY! Meri will give a paperback or Kindle copy of The Rocky Road to Ruin to one lucky commenter. Just tell us: what’s your favorite ice cream flavor? US only for paperback. Please leave an email address to win.

 

Meri Allen is a former librarian who loves reading mysteries and trying new ice cream flavors. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, her local Coast Guard Spouses Association, the Cozy Mystery Crew, and too many book clubs. Post pics of your favorite ice cream shop on her Facebook page and sign up for her newsletter for book fun, giveaways, and all things cozy New England.

 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MeriAllenBooks
Website: https://meriallenbooks.com
Books: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250267078
Instagram: @meriallenbooks

 


 

77 comments:

  1. My favorite ice cream flavor is Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Classic flavor. It's hard to beat Blue Bell! Good luck!

      Delete
  2. I love Peaches & Cream
    clarksrfun at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love anything with peaches! Good luck, MamaHen!

      Delete
    2. In high school I worked at a sandwich and ice cream shop that sold Dreyer's Ice Cream. It was great! My Dad and I fell in live with one of Dreyer's flavors. Unfortunately, Dreyer's doesn't make it anymore. They used to have a series of Decadent Flavors that were fantastic and had much more butterfat in them so they were very creamy. My dad and I adored their Dark Chocolate Decadent with a ribbon of real raspberry swirled throughout it. It was truly divine, so full of flavor! Thank you for the chance to win! My email is jonesfamilymail@comcast.net. I hope you have a wonderful day!

      Delete
    3. In high school I worked at a sandwich and ice cream shop that sold Dreyer's Ice Cream. It was great! My Dad and I fell in live with one of Dreyer's flavors. Unfortunately, Dreyer's doesn't make it anymore. They used to have a series of Decadent Flavors that were fantastic and had much more butterfat in them so they were very creamy. My dad and I adored their Dark Chocolate Decadent with a ribbon of real raspberry swirled throughout it. It was truly divine, so full of flavor! Thank you for the chance to win! My email is jonesfamilymail@comcast.net. I hope you have a wonderful day!

      Delete
  3. My favorite ice cream flavor is cookie dough.
    Kitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Good luck! I adore cookie dough in any form ;)

      Delete
  4. Love all flavors of ice cream. I don't think I've met a flavor I didn't like. Of course nothing beats homemade especially in the summer when you have a wide array of fresh fruit to blend in to it. One that I love to make often is orange sherbet. It's super easy and oh so delicious - a wonderful combination.

    You just mix 2 cans of eagle brand milk, 2 quarts of orange soda and a 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple (I use the heavy syrup kind for the extra sweetness but have also used the in fruit juice if you like it less sweet). Stir until well blended. Helps if the pineapple and soda are chilled to cut down on the freezing time. Place in ice cream freezer and churn.

    Will add that my favorite store bought ice cream is Jamoca Almond Fudge.

    Thank you for the fabulous opportunity to win a copy of "The Rocky Road to Ruin" - which is most definitely on my TBR list. Shared and hoping to be the fortunate one selected.

    Have a wonderful week!
    2clowns at arkansas dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kay, oh my stars does that orange sorbet sound good! I love a recipe where all the ingredients are things that most people probably have in the pantry. Good luck!

      Delete
  5. Welcome, Meri! I like sorbet much more than ice cream. My favorite is passion fruit sorbet, which is hard to find. Your Margarita sorbet looks wonderful. I don't have an ice cream maker, so I hope I find it on a menu somewhere. Congratulations on the first book in a new series. ~Maya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Maya! I've had passion fruit sorbet which is amazing. I can see why it's your favorite. i have to say, when it's really hot I'd rather have sorbet than ice cream. Many thanks for the good wishes! xo

      Delete
  6. Congratulations on yor first book!! Excited to read it. My favorite ice cream is pumpkin. Thanks for the chance!


    jarjm1980(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much. It's funny - I just turned in the second book of the series and it's set in fall. Everyone wants pumpkin spice ice cream! Good luck!

      Delete
  7. That sounds so good! Best of luck with the new series.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Many thanks, Edith! Fun to have a new series and all the excitement that comes with it. And all the ice cream...

      Delete
  8. I love pretty much any ice cream but one of my favorites is probably strawberry. Been looking forward to this new series.
    kozo8989(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just made a strawberry gelato with fresh strawberries - whoa! Hope you enjoy the books, Alicia. Good luck!

      Delete
  9. A few of my favorite ice cream flavors are Moose Tracks, chocolate peanut butter, mint chocolate chip, and pecan praline.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  10. My favorite is salted caramel. If you love magaritas try a summertime favorite of mine - watermelon!!
    lindalou64(@)live(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I'd have to say my favorite right now is Pralines & Cream--yummy with hot fudge! mbunting(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Everything is better with hot fudge. Good luck!

      Delete
  12. I really like chocolate chip.

    kvmatlock (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love chocolate chip cookie dough. Thanks for the giveaway and congratulations on the new series! aut1063(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  14. I like both dark chocolate and peppermint.
    wskwared(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Have fun experimenting with ice cream recipes, Meri. This one looks like a great way to chill. Good luck with the new series!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Molly! Can I use "a great way to chill" on my cover? Many thanks for the good wishes.

      Delete
  16. Can't wait to start this new series! I have two favorite ice cream flavors. One is Ben & Jerry's Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz, which is difficult to find. The other is vanilla bean. I love making cold brew floats with vanilla bean ice cream!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Can't wait for you to read it! Please leave a review and let me know what you think. Love your flavors - Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz is such a great name!

      Delete
  17. Is there anything better than ice cream?! Yum! My favorite flavor is Abbott's Vanilla Almond. Abbott's is a local frozen custard franchise that is soooo incredibly delicious. I'll admit that sometimes I have it for dinner! :) I can't wait to read your book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Wendy. Where is Abbott's? I'm intrigued.

      Delete
    2. It originated in Rochester, New York, where I'm from, but now there are some shops in Massachusetts, Florida and North and South Carolina. If ever you happen upon one, I highly recommend you give it a try! Their specialty is chocolate almond, but I prefer the vanilla almond!

      Delete
  18. Congrats on the new series! I'm highly partial to Tillamook's Oregon Hazelnut with Salted Caramel, esp served with my Chocolate Cabernet Sauce! (No need to enter me in the giveaway.)

    ReplyDelete
  19. Thank you so much, Leslie! I've heard great things about Tillamook ice cream - I've tried their cheeses and they're delish. Your chocolate cabernet sauce sounds divine! Is the recipe here on the MLK page?

    ReplyDelete
  20. Chocolate Chip is my favorite flavor. cheetahthecat1986ATgmailDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  21. Chocolate Marshmallow, or maybe cookies and cream, or maybe fudge swirl.... cheers (at) MarjimManor (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  22. My favorite is mint chip.
    sgiden at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  23. My favorite ice cream flavor is Ooey Gooey Butter cake.
    cochrandcr(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hello! Fellow librarian here. My favorite ever ice cream was one I found in a store in Georgetown, DC. It was Orange Chocolate Chocolate Chip. Tasted like one of those chocolate oranges that you have to smack to open.

    ReplyDelete
  25. My favorite ice fream is Chocolate chip cookie dough and Salted Caramel.

    strgth4yu(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Congrats on the new series & thanks for the recipe! Bet this would also be good with watermelon or mango or pineapple added. My ice cream faves are Mint Chocolate Chip, and Pistachio. I've been on a mango sorbet kick for years now.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Mint chocolate chip ice cream
    Thank you for the chance
    Donakutska7@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  28. My favorite flavor of ice cream is Mackinac Island Fudge. My favorite drink is a frozen strawberry margarita. Congratulations on your new release, looks like a great new series.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  29. I like vanilla 1cow0993(at) gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  30. In high school I worked at a sandwich and ice cream shop that sold Dreyer's Ice Cream. It was great! My Dad and I fell in live with one of Dreyer's flavors. Unfortunately, Dreyer's doesn't make it anymore. They used to have a series of Decadent Flavors that were fantastic and had much more butterfat in them so they were very creamy. My dad and I adored their Dark Chocolate Decadent with a ribbon of real raspberry swirled throughout it. It was truly divine, so full of flavor! Thank you for the chance to win! My email is jonesfamilymail@comcast.net. I hope you have a wonderful day!

    ReplyDelete
  31. My favorite flavor is chocolate peanut butter by Perry's. I think I would enjoy your new series.candykennedy555@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congratulations Meri! I'm excited to read this! My favorite is chocolate/peanut butter. Paperback is my choice. sxygrndma48(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Congratulations Meri! I'm excited to read this! My favorite is chocolate/peanut butter. Paperback is my choice. sxygrndma48(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  34. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. I'd love to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Thank you for the opportunity to win this book. I'd love to read it.

    ReplyDelete
  36. My favorite is Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. Thank you for this chance at your giveaway. pgenest57 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  37. Rocky Road but I'm not fussy about ice cream. Paperback, please. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  38. I love peach ice cream, although any kind with fruit is great.
    centraleast2 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  39. Anything with peanut butter or caramel! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  40. My favorite is Chocolate Almond! almaj80(at)suddenlink(dot)net

    ReplyDelete
  41. Wow this sounds delicious! And dangerous on a hot day.
    Now, how to make it without an ice cream freezer? Metal loaf pan in the freezer? Stir periodically?
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, that is absolutely how you’d make this without an ice cream maker. You should stir it every once in a while with a fork, scraping up crystals of ice and you will get a Margarita Granita.

      Delete
  42. I was thinking my favourite ice cream was Cookies & Cream/Oreo but I read some of the previous comments and someone mentioned Cookie Dough so mine is a combo of Oreo and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. However, I also like sorbet/slushie better than ice cream and my favourite flavour of that is Cherry Lemonade. Just buy cherry lemonade, pour in ice cream maker, turn on and wait until desired frozenness is reached. Yum!

    lauraalbert(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  43. My favorite flavor is vanilla because you can eat it plain or dress it up ny way you want to and change the flavor so easily.
    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  44. The only ice cream I eat is Mocha Almond Fudge!! lindaherold999(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am kinda boring, I love Vanilla Soft Serve. shawnstevensbooks (at) gmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  46. My go to is anything chocolate peanut butter that is gluten free - I've taken to making ice cream at home to be absolutely sure of the ingredients and I have some great recipes that have become favorites - chocolate, mint chocolate chip in chocolate ice cream, peanut butter, pistachio....I just like ice cream! Looking forward to reading the book - sounds great! jwhite410(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  47. I love chocolate frozen yogurt and either too with a Hershey bar or eat over baked apples!

    ReplyDelete
  48. Ginger is my favorite flavor.

    jtcgc at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Blueberry if I can find it, strawberry if I can't! cwr(at)withdispatch(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  50. I may be boring but I love Velvet brand French Vanilla with carmel sauce. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  51. My favorite flavor is grapenut or coffee.
    terry0743@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  52. My favorite flavor is tin roof sundae. Although I haven't been able to find it for a long time. bella_ringer@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  53. Baskin Robbins Peanut butter and chocolate. cherierj(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete