This is a story all about how… local author Sam Slaughter released his third book… And I’d like to take a minute (or four)… to tell you all about it. My Fresh Prince of Bel Air friends will recognize what I did there. How nostalgic are you about the pop culture of the 90’s? What about your love of cocktail drinks? Even if you only have a passing interest in cocktails, you are sure to love the recipe book, Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? And Other Cocktails For 90’s Kids.
Sam has blended humor, culture, and wit into this book of recipes. Each drink name is a play on television show titles, characters, and music. Examples of drink titles include: The Fresh Mint of Bel-Air, Baby Got Black Label, Saved by the Jello-O, The Rossi and Rachel, and The Y2K. I don’t know how the drinks taste, but the names make me so happy. I know I’m giving away my (old) age here, but I feel like I’m in high school all over again – and I am 100% okay with that.
Scattered throughout the book are plenty of cultural references about the 90’s, including colorful pictures of many of the drinks by Greenville photographer, Amy Ellis (check it out below!) You’ll find a nice mix of twists on classic drinks as well as some of Sam’s original recipes.
There is a section at the beginning about how to set up your own home bar. At the end of the book is a section that includes suggested 90s music playlists (my heart just skipped a beat) and fun drinking games. I may be wrong, but it sounds to me like Sam is inviting all of us over for Happy Hour?
Slaughter is the Food & Drink Editor for, The Manual, an online men’s lifestyle magazine and guide. He also co-hosts a weekly podcast for the magazine called Beards, Booze, and Bacon. If that wasn’t enough, you can find his writings in a variety of places such as Maxim and Bloomberg, as well as some of the more well-known food and drink outlets.
Earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature, Sam published his first fiction book in 2015, When You Cross That Line, and a second book of fictional short stories in 2016, God in Neon. As part of his research for his writings on drinks and spirits, he visited four continents and over 500 breweries and distilleries. In other words, he is over qualified to write this book!
Be sure to check out his website for more. You can also follow him via Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
We’re proud of ya, Sam, and wish you all the best! Now it’s time to get some reading in…
Want to meet more people of the Upstate? Check out our past interviews here.