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A collection of 50 traditional and contemporary recipes by Stanley Dry — Louisiana Life “Kitchen Gourmet” columnist, former senior editor of Food & Wine magazine and accomplished cook — top-notch ingredients are paired with fresh seafood to create delectable dishes imbued with the author’s signature simplicity. The easy-to-follow recipes emphasize Louisiana seafood and quality, local ingredients. Inspired, innovative and delicious, the seafood dishes in this collection are sure to become favorites in your kitchen.

Summer in a Glass

Elevate how you hydrate with a cooling watermelon cocktail for a sweet-tart hot weather buzz

BY LISA LEBLANC-BERRY

PHOTO BY ROMERO & ROMERO

Watermelon is the ultimate summertime treat. Whether it’s blended into a spritz, margarita, punch or daiquiri, it goes well with just about everything to make cocktails suitable for poolside parties and tropical retreats, tiki torch luaus and July’s firework fêtes.

Lorde’s Revolution, a refreshing new cocktail by The Whisper Room at Beausoleil Books, is an easy-to-make, thirstquenching crowd-pleaser that invokes the spirit of summer with sweet watermelon juice, hibiscus-infused vodka and the floral notes of elderflower liqueur balanced with tart lime and lemon balm.

In keeping with The Whisper Room’s literary-themed cocktails, and to celebrate the LGBTQ-friendly Beausoleil Books’ special events tied to Pride Acadiana celebrations (June 24) and Pride Month, Lorde’s Revolution was named after the late Audre Lorde. The noted poet was devoted to confronting the injustices of racism, sexism and homophobia.

Bar manager and cocktail curator Mo Blanchard (Buck & Johnny’s former manager and cocktail maven) created the watermelon-laced summer sipper. She joined The Whisper Room when it opened in 2021 after the debut of Beausoleil Books. The francophone literary haven is revered for its French and Louisiana-themed books, bilingual staff, weekly poetry readings and monthly French Table. Bilingual co-owner Bryan Dupree is a seventhgeneration descendant of Acadian pioneer Joseph “Beausoleil” Broussard, hence the bookstore’s name.

“The Whisper Room is a really cool, undiscovered spot in downtown Lafayette,” says Blanchard. “It’s the perfect date-night scene for seasonal craft cocktails.”

Lorde’s Revolution

Shake 1 ounce hibiscus-infused JT Meleck vodka, ½ ounce elderflower liqueur, ¼ ounce fresh lime juice and 1 ½ ounces fresh-pressed watermelon juice with ice and strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with fresh lemon balm.