Today I arrive in San Francisco for the marvelous Left Coast Crime mystery convention, where I’ve not only been nominated for a Lefty Award for Waters of Destruction, but also have the honor of serving as Toastmaster.
I always unveil my new bookmarks at LCC (as the con is affectionately known), because my books tend to release in the spring, when the con is held. As a result, I’ll be passing out bookmarks this year for my newest Orchid Isle mystery, Murder, Local Style (which releases on April 7 and is now available for pre-order).
For this series, my bookmarks all feature the recipe for a cocktail created by my protagonist Valerie Corbin, who’s a bartender at the Speckled Gecko in Hilo, Hawai‘i, where the books are set. But I know most of you won’t be attending Left Coast Crime, so today I present for all our beloved readers at Mystery Lovers’ Kitchen the recipe for the Broke da Mouth cocktail, which graces my newest bookmark.
“Broke da mouth” means “delicious” in Hawaiian Pidgin, which perfectly describes this cocktail with its flavorful combination of spicy rum, sweet and zesty ginger beer, and tart lemon.
Broke da Mouth
(makes one cocktail)
Ingredients
6-8 ice cubes
2 oz. spiced rum
4 oz. ginger beer
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 slice lemon (for garnish)
Directions
Place the ice in a highball or similar glass, then add the rum, ginger beer, and lemon juice and stir well.
Garnish with the lemon slice.
Cheers!
🌱 🍋 🌿
Coming April 7!
Orchid Isle Mystery #3
Available for pre-order here.
"The beauties and customs of Hawai‘i provide a striking backdrop for a murder with an unexpected motive."
Kirkus Reviews
🍍 🌴 🍹
Out now in paperback!
Orchid Isle Mystery #2
Buy link here.
2026 Lefty and Agatha Award Finalist
for Best Mystery/Contemporary Mystery!
"Immerse yourself in Hawaiian lore and savor the portrayal of the stunning landscapes
while enjoying the entertaining mystery."
Kirkus Reviews
Also available
in paperback!
Orchid Isle Mystery #1
Buy link here
2025 Lefty Award Finalist
for Best Mystery!
“Karst’s first Orchid Isle novel is part murder mystery, part vividly evocative, colorful sketch of Hawaii and its history, geography, tradition, culture, food, language, and people. Armchair travelers and mystery aficionados alike will find it entertaining.”
Booklist
This first book in my brand-new Orchid Isle mystery series features retired caterer Valerie Corbin and her wife Kristen who, on a trip to the Big Island of Hawai‘i, swap surfing lessons for sleuthing sessions when a hike to an active lava flow turns deadly.
Praise for MOLTEN DEATH:
“a compelling read that will enlighten, engage, and entertain, leaving readers longing for their next trip to the Orchid Isle.”
--New York Times bestselling author Jenn McKinlay
“a terrific debut to a series that will go on my must read list!”
--USA Today bestselling author Deborah Crombie
2024 Lefty Award Finalist
for Best Humorous Mystery!
This newest Sally Solari mystery
is available for purchase here !
Praise for A SENSE FOR MURDER:
“[Sally is] sassy, irresistible company... Culinary cozy fans will be in heaven.”
--Publishers Weekly
“An enjoyable read for mystery mavens and foodies alike.”
--Kirkus Reviews
Justice is Served: A Tale of Scallops,
the Law, and Cooking for RBG
is the 2024 Silver Medal Winner for both the
IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award
and the IPPY Award!
Buy link here
-Foreword Reviews (starred review)
"[This] book is a romp from cover to cover—and, just like a great meal, left me ready for more."
-Karen Shimizu, executive editor, Food & Wine-
All of the Sally Solari Mysteries (as well as my other books) are available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.
I love ginger. Thank you for the recipe and congratulations on being Toastmaster.
ReplyDeleteThank you! And yes, ginger is the best!
DeleteThank you for the Broke da Mouth Cocktail recipe. I know exactly who this would make the perfect drink. :)
ReplyDelete2clowns at arkansas dot net
Ha! So glad you have a ginger-lover in your life!
DeleteCongratulations on your double honors Leslie! We'll raise a glass in your honor to celebrate...have a wonderful, fun weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, dear Lucy/Roberta! Cheers!
DeleteCongratulations on being Toastmaster AND having Waters of Destruction nominated for a Lefty! Can't want to meet up with you in San Francisco and celebrate. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kim! And yes, it will be great to get to hang out with you in person!
DeleteI love the cover of Murder Local Style (well, I really love the covers of all of them!). It's so colorful. Have a blast at LCC and congrats on both the Lefty nom and being toastmaster!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Marcia! And yes, I'm so thankful that my publisher has such a terrific cover designer.!
DeleteLeslie, I love this lighter twist on my favorite drink, the Dark and Stormy. The Broke da Mouth sounds amazing with its spiced rum and lemon while still keeping that great ginger beer kick. I can’t wait to celebrate your double honors this weekend!
ReplyDeleteI love me a Dark and Stormy, as well, Ang--and it was definitely the inspiration for this cocktail. So looking forward to finally meeting you in person in SF!
DeleteI used to have a dictionary of Hawaiian terms. It wa lost in a flood. But I don't recall Broke da mouth, which sounds like broke the mouth, in it.But pm the other hand, I don't drink.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be in a dictionary of Hawaiian, since it's Pidgin for, yes, "broke the mouth." And now I want to hear the story of a dictionary being lost in a flood--sounds kind of like the plot of my mystery, WATERS OF DESTRUCTION....
Deletei was recently going thru some recipes, and found one called Best Vanilla Extract. But it wasn't the complete recipe. Just the description. I thought it ws from this site. But I have not found it listed. On the other hand, the sun is shining in the glass door.
ReplyDeleteHere are two vanilla extract recipes from this MLK site: https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2022/12/homemade-vanilla-extract-recipe-by.html and https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2025/12/the-worlds-best-vanilla-extract-recipe.html
DeleteSounds delightful. Ginger beer is a great mixer.
ReplyDeleteHere's a favorite I discovered in Bar Harbor, ME.
The Nor'easter Cocktail
Serves 1
Ingredients
2 ounces bourbon
1/2 ounce lime juice
1/2 ounce maple syrup
Ginger beer