Heated Riverly by Rachel Reid
This week the cousins are switching up the format! We’re trading paperback pages for power plays and diving headfirst into Heated Rivalry on HBO Max based on the MM romance by Rachel Reid. We'll be joined by a Heated Rivalry superfan, Miranda to recap and review episodes 1-3 and let’s just say, the ice is not the only thing melting. Mix up a Pretty Russian and join us for some laughs!

Signature Cocktail: The Pretty Russian

Tonight’s cocktail is the Pretty Russian — a dangerously smooth blend of vanilla, marshmallow, and just enough kick to keep things interesting. At first sip it’s sweet, creamy, and a little indulgent… but much like a heated rivalry, Pretty on the outside… chaos underneath

Ingredients:

2 oz vanilla vodka
1 oz coffee liqueur (Kahlúa)
½ oz marshmallow syrup
1 oz half & half or heavy cream
Ice

Optional “Pretty Factor”

1 drop pink food coloring in the cream
Mini marshmallows
White chocolate syrup
Graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar for rim

Prep the Glass (makes it look amazing)

Drizzle white chocolate syrup inside the glass.
Rim the glass with marshmallow fluff then dip in graham cracker crumbs or vanilla sugar.
Add ice.

Build the Drink

Pour vanilla vodka + coffee liqueur + marshmallow syrup over the ice.
Stir lightly.
Slowly pour the cream (with a tiny drop of pink coloring if you want the swirl effect).

Garnish

Toasted marshmallow on a cocktail pick
Optional: tiny dust of edible shimmer

Flavor

Creamy vanilla latte
Toasted marshmallow sweetness
Rich coffee finish

Basically this is a grown-up marshmallow latte that looks like it belongs in a romance book scene.