it's meow o'clock somewhere
If you love cats and cocktails, purrs and spirits, a feline and and aperitif, then Shaken Not Purred is the book you’ve been looking for. With over 60 mixed drink recipes, and all the information you need to craft them like a master bartender, this book is packed with drinks old and new, that you can use to raise a glass to your favorite kitty friend, or you can just knock off the table, if you prefer.
Jay Catsby has taken classic cocktail recipes and added some feline-friendly twists to create innovative, fun, and delicious cattails. There is an Old Furrshioned, a Meowgarita, Clawsmopolitan, Ne-groomi, Meowtini, Tom Cat Collins, and a Moscow Mew. There are some non-alcoholic drinks for the kittens (and non-drinkers), and a selection of cocktail styles, from a simple 2-ingredient mixer to fizzy drinks featuring Champagne or prosecco to frothy drinks that include a shaken egg white to add sophistication and smooth creaminess.
And if that’s not enough, there are suggestions throughout the short book for cat themed nights, with lists of cat board games and cat movies, and there are cat facts and trivia throughout. And if you want a cocktail that brings to mind your favorite iconic cat, you can try the Grumpy Cat, Cheshire Cat’s Smile, Gin Felix, Garfield’s Mondays, Pink Panther, or the Olivia Benson, Meredith Grey, and Benjamin Button, for Taylor Swift’s well-known pets.
Of if you can’t decide if you want to go out or stay in, and need some inspiration for something new to try, you can go with the Catnip Dreams, Dark ‘n’ Scratchy, Nap in the Afternoon, Mog Island Mice Tea, or the Let Me Out, No Never Mind. There are drinks to satisfy any tastes or mood, from napping in the sun to playing with string to scratching at the sofa. No matter which drink you choose, you will be tempted to start meowing for more while your glass is still half full. But that’s just how cat lovers roll. We can’t get enough of the furry floofs and all their silliness.
I loved Shaken Not Purred. It’s the purrfect gift for your favorite cat mother, for the graduates who might be looking for some catnip as they prepare for the celebrations to come, or for any thirsty cat lover wanting to become a master meowlogist. These drinks are fun and creative, and the instructions are clear and simple. You don’t need a lot of equipment to get started (there is a list of suggestions at he front), but Catsby does encourage readers to spend a little more on the spirits, as quality does count in these concoctions. This is a small book, but it packs a punch and fits perfectly on any bookshelf, or just on top of the counter that the cat is not supposed to jump on but does anyway. It’s why we love them, why we celebrate them, and why we drink in their honor.
A copy of Shaken Not Purred was provided by Mobius, with many thanks.