Friday, August 26, 2011

Bullshot! (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Guess what? It's Friday! It's been a great week -- Mr TR's birthday was yesterday so we hit the town to celebrate (I admit, I've a bit of a sore head); Willow got another nice review on Dot Scribbles; and I've joined the wonderful ladies over at the Naked Hero to write a weekly post! Yay!

Equally exciting, today I've got fellow RNA member Janice Horton here, talking about... drinks! And her latest novel of course. The perfect Friday post. Take it away, Janice.

The most common question I’m asked about my humorous romance novel Bagpipes & Bullshot - is what bullshot is! Well I’m here today to reveal that bullshot is not a typo or a clever play on words but a drink: it’s a bit like a Bloody Mary and is favoured by those who swig from a hipflask and shoot from a shotgun. To me the word ‘bullshot’ epitomises the Scottish country estate. To explain further, it reflects the jaunty humour and the theme of Bagpipes & Bullshot, which is set in Scotland. Innes, the hero of the tale, does indeed also play the bagpipes and quite beautifully too!

But back to the bullshot: to make this fabulous drink (you can call it a cocktail, if you like!) first take two mature bulls…. Erm, no, not really!

Bullshot Recipe

If you prefer it, you can use vodka, but the traditional Scottish version (and the one favoured by all the characters in Bagpipes & Bullshot) has whisky in it. However, if you are planning a trip across the grouse moors later or doing a bit of stalking on the hill, you’ll certainly need your thermos and the extra ingredient of hot beef stock with your bullshot. Mmmmm…warming.

First take a whisky tumbler – and put in it a bit of ice and a slice of lime. Then add a good measure of finest Scotch whisky. Fill to the top with tomato juice; add a good dashing of both Tabasco pepper sauce and Worcester sauce and if you’re feeling frisky add half a teaspoon of grated horseradish. Stir and enjoy! Mmmmm…delicious.

Bagpipes & Bullshot is available to download as an e-book on Amazon Kindle UK and Dot Com and in all other e-formats from Smashwords. Janice blogs here. Follow her on Twitter and her Facebook Author Page.

51 comments:

  1. The Scottish blood in me isn't jumping up to try that drink!!!
    I'll take your word for it.
    Love the name of the book ;)

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  2. Great title! Here across the pond...a Bullshot is made with beef bouillon...bleh!
    I like the Scottish version better.

    1 1/2 oz vodka
    3 oz chilled beef bouillon
    dash of Worchestershire, Tabasco, salt and pepper to taste
    celery salt (optional)

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  3. They say you learn a little something everyday! I certainly never knew that Bullshot was a drink. I do now - whether I will try or not, hmm :) Lovely post.
    Lovely blog.
    Best wishes
    Sue Uden
    Loveahappyending.com

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  4. I think I'll pass on the drink and go for a copy of your book instead :).

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  5. I've still not got around to making a Bullshot but I did read the book and loved it!

    It was a fun-filled romp through the Scottish countryside with a unique bunch of "characters".

    Great interview, ladies.

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  6. Horseradish? Bloodyhell, that sounds like it'll put a spring in your step! Makes for a great book name though!

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  7. I'm a huge fan of the Bloody Mary, my husband's recipe in particular. Each one is hand crafted : ) We use Clamato in ours but have done the Beefmato too which must taste similar to this drink.

    As a shout out to our southern roots we like a pickled okra garnish. I know some people are saying huh? and some ew! but don't knock it til you've tried it!

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  8. Is 7 in the morning too early for a bullshot, nah! Off to try this one. :)
    Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

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  10. I have this book in my list of to reads on my Kindle and now that the mystery is solved of what the Bullshot means in the title, I shall enjoy reading this book with a nice glass of Bullshot (Yes with vodka!)

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  11. I'm ashamed to say I still have to try a bloody merry. :(

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  12. Well I would never have thought there was a scottish version of bloody mary's and there is! Hooorah!!!

    Off I go to replace my vodka with whiskey!

    Thank you! And good luck with your book and nice to meet you!

    Yay for Friday!

    p.s. HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mr TR!Take care
    x

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  13. How cool! I've never heard of Bullshot but I'll have to try the different recipes both in the post and comments. Vodka and beef bouillon!? Cool.

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  14. I like the warm version. My dad used to drink tomato juice and beer. He swore by it. Here in Canada we drink Bloody Ceasars - don't know why they haven't taken off in the states but they are Yum - just ask Talli! Vodka shot + clamato juice + hot pepper sauce and a lime or celery stick...

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  15. My sister is a Tabasco fanatic, so I bet she'll love this drink recipe. Thanks for sharing!

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  16. I've got this book on my kindle and as soon as I have a second (and get my kindle back from my daughter) I'm going to read it. Can't wait.

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  17. Maybe its my dislike of tomato juice but this sounds very un-appetizing LOL. Thanks for sharing though because I had no idea what it was either.

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  18. Hi everyone - from Tenerife!

    I'm out here in sunnyville for a week visiting my sons who are working out here, but have accessed the internet (in a bar!) to pop in and to say - 'cheers, I'm raising my bullshot glass to you all' and to thank you all for the great comments and for being such great sports!

    Love, Janice Horton

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  19. Hope your head is feeling better Talli, but we must do these things in the name of celebration..laugh! Great to see Janice here with her fab book. I loved it!

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  20. Janice, I loved this story! I read several months ago. Loved the humor and the characters. Truly allows you to step into modern Scotland and you gotta love Innes.

    I've seen several recipes for Bullshot but I prefer using a rich beefstock and whiskey. Might sound a bit odd, but it doesn't taste at all odd. Yum.

    Sia McKye's Thoughts...OVER COFFEE

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  21. I love that you can give the recipe to an alcoholic beverage with a headache!

    Not my kind of drink, but I bet my husband would like it.

    Have a happy weekend.

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  22. Ah ha! An eye catching title. Great explanation and I wish Janice Horton all the best with her novel.

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  23. Hi Talli - Happy Birthday Mr TR .. glad you had a wonderful day out.

    Good review at Dot Scribbles - and fantastic to do a regular weekly post at the Naked Hero.

    janice - Bullshot is a wonderful name isn't .. but as I dislike whisky .. I'd have to have the vodka version .. quite enjoy that.

    Good luck to both of you with your projects .. cheers Hilary

    PS Talli - it just stopped raining as you left your comment - 2.00 pm .. should be dry with you soon!!

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  24. Great book and a drink to enjoy whilst reading. My kinda thing. Certainly livens up a tomato juice. Have a great holiday, Janice. And raising a glass to your next book.

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  25. Good morning, my dear! (Well. Morning over here, at any rate.)

    Good afternoon, my dear! And happy belated to T.R.

    Congrats on your good review, friend. :)

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  26. Hello to the lovely Janice. That is one humorous romp of a novel - loved it! And the Scottish countryside was so beautifully described (and I live here, though not in the same area!)

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  27. Happy Birthday to TR! And a clever title too . . . I kept going back to read it because my head wanted to change it to something else.

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  28. I've learned a new word! Glad Mr. TR had a good time.

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  29. Bullshot sounds so awesome! We need to make that more a part of the common vernacular

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  30. Happy Birthday to Mr TR:-)
    I don't like whisky in any form but I could try this on my husband . . .

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  31. Sounds yum (with Vodka!) Great interview with Janice. Finished the book last week and loved it. Fantastic read!

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  32. Well, you learn something new everyday, indeed I did!

    Have a great weekend! :)

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  33. Both her book and this drink sound like a lot of fun! I think I'll try them. :)

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  34. Never heard of this drink, but the name cracks me up. The book sounds like a lot of fun and I'm going to check it out!

    Congrats on your weekly post and nice review, and glad you and Mr TR had a fun celebration! :)

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  35. Okay, I want to try the book but you can keep the drink :-)

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  36. Nice to meet you, Janice. That's the first I've ever heard of that drink...

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  37. Happy Belated Birthday to Mr. TR! Great name for a drink, and an even better one for a novel! Julie

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  38. Mmm... sounds like a surefire cure to whatever ails ya! ;)

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  39. This was fascinating. Thanks ladies. Bullshot! Learned a new word.

    Denise

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  40. Happy Belated Birthday, Mr TR!

    I like the sound of that drink ;)

    Ellie Garratt

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  41. Love the title. The drink sounds interesting too! Hair of the dog and all that.

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  42. Sounds like that drink would warm you right down to the toes.

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  43. Woa! That drink's got too many muscles for my liking. I'll stick with a boring old G&T. You know where you are with a G&T

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  44. Its great to meet you Janice Horton! Interesting drink. Sounds like just the ticket my antagonist needs for breakfast when he's out saving the world.

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  45. Sorry, I'm not liking the sound of that drink. I think it's because I can't stand the idea of drinking tomato juice! ::shudders::

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  46. Hi Talli!

    Would have to try this one sometime!

    Looking forward to a Vlog trailer of WATCHING WILLOW WATTS complete with the Marilyn Monroe wig!

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  47. Mmmm...whiskey! This sounds like a great drink (and a great book!!).

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  48. Happy birthday, Mr. TR! And yay good book reviews and alcohol!

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  49. Great post Talli and really love Janice's stunning new cover! Just looking at that tall glass makes me think of an exotic beach ... a place to sit and read about Scottish fun and games! Love it!

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  50. A great post Talli. Not sure about the drink but I absolutely loved the book!! xx

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Coffee and wine for all!