Broke da Mouth Cocktail #recipe by @LeslieKarst

 

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

MURDER, LOCAL STYLE

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

WATERS OF DESTRUCTION

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!

MOLTEN DEATH

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

 

 

A SENSE FOR MURDER

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

 

 

 

Praise for Justice is Served:

 

"a suspenseful, exhilarating memoir; Karst relays her determination to serve the 'perfect' meal to RBG alongside an uplifting, enlightening portrayal of one of the most admired justices in the history of the Supreme Court." 

 

-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.