Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum?

This book invoked a lot of nostalgia with its clever cocktail names and fun playlists! I can't wait to host a 90s-themed party and serve up some drinks!

Thank you to Andrews McMeels Publishing and Netgalley for an e-galley of Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum for review.
This was such a fun book to read! I loved the little facts like Pop Up Video, and the drink names really brought back a lot of memories for me! None were extremely complicated and most used pretty common ingredients. Super fun ideas for a theme party or for when you are just feeling nostalgic. Definitely adding The POG to my next party cocktail menu.
Available June 4/19 this is such a fun cocktail collection.

Review to be posted to several sources mentioned on my profile at the end of May.

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

OH MY! That was my reaction when I spotted this book on Netgalley and saw the title. OMG, that is just perfection. I already loved the book before I even read it. Anyone making cocktails from stuff from the ’90s must be awesome. 🙂 And adding puns to it? Yes, yes please.

I had tons and tons of fun reading this. Didn’t make any of the cocktails, sorry, 8.19pm here when I write this on April 16th, I am not about to go to the store and grab all the stuff one needs. Maybe I will make a list of those I want to try and one day grab all the stuff I need. There were several recipes that I have to try out, based on either the name of the drink or the ingredients, or maybe even the pictures. Because those pictures really made the book even more fun to read, seeing all those gorgeous cocktails (some were just too pretty to drink though).

I loved the titles to the drinks but also the description to each one. Some had me in stitches, some I was just nodding along or saying things like OH YES. There were a few that weren’t instantly recognisable, some I looked up and suddenly knew all about it. Like with songs… I had the whole song + lyrics in my head the moment the song began on Youtube. Others, for part maybe a cultural thing, I live in Europe, so maybe those things mentioned didn’t come over to where I live (for instance pop rocks, or that one fact about Mikey from Life cereal commercial fame (who??? what??, or things like Zima and SunnyD). Then there were others that consisted of stuff I didn’t care to watch (like Twin Peaks). I still appreciated the recipes even if I didn’t know the inspiration for them.

I was just laughing so loudly at some of the titles to the cocktails. Like this one: “I’ll never let yuzu go, Jack.” But there are also enough puns in the descriptions. For the Livin’ La Vida Coco drink: “Basically, something that’ll make you shake your bon-bon.”

There are also facts and little tidbits and even some extras to the recipes you could do or add.

I loved the added playlist and the other things that were concluded in the end. Though I just tried looking for it on Spotify.. and it is not there. 🙁

All in all, this is one cocktail book I would HIGHLY recommend. It is fun, hilarious, and there are some delicious looking/sounding drinks that you just want to try out.

Fun book for some unique party ideas. Great little tidbits about songs to go with the drink recipe. Perfect book for '90s nostalgia fans!

This book was fun! It gave me very appealing ideas to play with drinks (though I'm far from a bartender, I'm not sure I'll ever make them...they sound so delicious, though, that I really want to try them at least once!). The book itself has an awkwardly '90s-like design, which I loved! (I normally never liked '90s' style, but it made me feel nostalgic, and THAT I love.) As a '90s kid myself, I could relate to almost everything in the book (not all, because it's obviously written from a U.S. perspective, and of course things weren't exactly the same here, though similar, and most of the pop culture was universal). I loved how there's a little fun introduction to every drink - it's more than a simple guide to make cocktails, it's an enjoyable book in itself!

I. NEED. THIS. BOOK. For every party I throw from now on, I need this book will be the one I turn to for fun beverages and a good time. Sam Slaughter has mixed a love of 90s nostalgia with a collection of cocktails so enticing, I’m trying to figure out how to try every single one in as little time as possible without getting embarrassing. From the Table of Contents, I was hooked. It’s rare to find a cocktail recipe that doesn’t feel either bland or hoity-toity. This book is fun! And there are more 90s puns here than flannels at the first Lollapalooza!

Slaughter takes craft cocktails to a new level with a 90s twist. He opens with the Fresh Mint of Bel-Air. I love a mojito as a summer refresher and this drink sounds like a strawberry version made with gin and topped with Prosecco. There’s the fun-sounding sangria, I Saw The Wine. The Pog (a full-size tropical cocktail) & The Slammer (a shot version). The Hey Arnold Palmer will definitely be my husband’s favorite, as he’s a Long Island guy, but mine will probably the Juice Box Iced Tea. I love a Long Island, but I’m also lazy when it comes to making my own drink, so this particular bev, little more than bourbon and limoncello sounds right up my alley.

Slaughter not only gives the reader recipes for enticing beverages, he provides a recipe for a fantastic 90s-themed night with friends. My friends and I love theater, so we tend to know our favorite movies by heart. One of the 90s drinking games offered is a Quote-Off using fave 90s films. Honestly, we need a break from Cards Against Humanity anyway. There are also several 90s playlists featuring songs I’d forgotten, some I’ve tried desperately to forget, all guaranteed to make your Millennial and Gen Y friends say “Hey, I remember this one!” It’s as if Sam Slaughter made it his mission to make every page as full of potential fun as he could, and HE DID.

Are You Afraid of The Dark Rum? is a must have as part of any well-curated recipe book collection. Dare I use another SNICK reference? It’s ALL THAT! I came for the drink recipes, stayed for the gorgeous photos by Amy Ellis, and I’ll return to reread all the witty recipe intros and 90s trivia tidbits. For now, I’m going to binge watch some Clarissa Explains It All on Amazon Prime.

Oh, I am such a 90s girl and this is going to make for a perfect summer party cocktail menu. While some references are lost on me; I know friends who grew up with cable will love the nods.
The book doesn’t assume you’ll know all the tricks of the trade so it goes through the basics.

Hi from Snapple! Be kind, and rewind into the 90s.
I wanted a quick read during a tornado warning & didn't want to pull out the serious novel I was reading - plus I need 90s ideas for a birthday party, and this book came through. Slaughter makes sure that the reader doesn't feel overwhelmed by the terminology, but throws in a few drinks that make those of us with experience feel included. The jokes were funny, if it a bit overbearing at time. I'd buy it simply for that Red Room Punch recipe. The photography (with 90s accessory touches at times) was well done. The delightful 90s design aesthetic of the book made me chuckle -- it really did feel like I was back in Taco Bell in 1998 blabbering on about Bug's Life while drinking waaaay too much sugar.

I felt it was a bit short, even for a cocktail book, which is why it dropped a star in my opinion. I would have liked a few more recipes, and maybe a few less descriptions of how to make certain drinks. Some key 90s references (in my mind of course!) were left out (As If, I Burn I Pine I Perish, etc) but I suppose you can't please everyone.

Available June 4.

Loved this book. It’s not out for a while so posting initial feedback here, will update nearer the time with full review and blog links. Really enjoyed it though!

Thank you Netgalley for an early copy of Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum

This is the quintessential cocktail book for all the Fresh Prince, Saved By the Bell, Nickelodeon, TGIF 90's kids. The colors are vibrant and the recipes are unique but easy to follow. Despite the name of the cocktail cookbook not all the recipes are rum based drinks. Each edition has a detailed list of ingredients and description how to make them. They each has a 90s themed name and details included that reference 90s pop trivia and nostalgia. This is a great addition to your cocktail library or next 90s themed house party

This was such a fun nostalgia trip! I loved the titles and the inclusion of all the beautiful pictures. The facts were great, but I wish there were more, and the descriptions were good, but there were sometimes I found myself wishing to know what the drink was named after or inspired by. This would be a great book for anyone who likes the 90s or just wants a book of simple, but tasty recipes using a small collection of spirits.

In this whimsical and fun cocktail book, cultural icons of the 1990s are invoked to inspire the children of that decade, now grown up, to explore the world of mixed drinks. The book is colorful, both in the many photographs and the playful design of the pages. The book starts with a little background on tools, glassware, basic mixing methods, and building a proper bar. The recipes are often twists on classic cocktails, while others are more original. The names of the drinks reflect the cultural milieu of the 1990s, often with a pun, like the Kimmy Gimlet (for Kimmy Gibbler of Full House) and Livin’ La Vida Coco. Even the title of the book refers to a 1990s TV show. The book ends with a few more helpful chapters about syrups and infusions as well as a 1990s playlist and a very short list of drinking games.

While I wasn't a 1990s kid, graduating from high school in 1985, I recognized enough of the references to make me smile. As I said above, the book is beautifully photographed. The colors jump out at you, and you get a good look at what finished drinks look like. Reminding me of MTV's Behind the Music, sometimes the pictures have little bubbles with trivia about the particular 1990s reference of the drink. The recipe headers also often talk about the 90s reference or about the cocktail itself.

The only thing I find strange is that measures like a half ounce and quarter cup are given in decimal rather than in fractions, and the decimals don't have leading zeros. As one who has read a gazillion cookbooks, this just looks strange to me.

That being said, I think this is a fun collection of cocktails that any 1990s kid, or 1980s kid, might enjoy for both nostalgia and the fanciful drinks.

I loved this! Some great retro drinks served up with loads of nostalgia! I've even made a couple and they were delicious!!

This book combines 90's nostalgia and humor with great drink recipes! What's not to like? I look forward to trying out many of these, possibly while watching 90's sitcoms with friends, maybe even on an orange couch.

Are you Afriad of the Dark Rum is designed to make you smile and reminisce whether the 1990s was your era or not. I love the cover of the book, it is whimsical and attractive to the eye, and the book itself was everything I expected.

It has an introduction which include all the necessary tools to make your drinks. From mixing methods to glassware it’s all there making it extremely simple.

I have tried several recipes and they were easy to understand and follow.

As the author wrote “Nostalgia often evokes good feelings. Cocktails often evoke good feelings. That’s what this book aims to do.” And, I must say it did exactly that - love it.

​I was provided this book for free in exchange for my honest opinion.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book for anyone who loves preparing cocktails. 📕👍🏼

I GIVE IT A 5 STAR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Fun book of 90's themed cocktails with great photos. Perfect for a 90's themed party and any party for that matter. Clear instructions and even includes a vegan alternative for egg white. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher, Andrew McMeel publishing for an ARC.

This book is a walk down nostalgia lane and I absolutely love it! I’ve tried multiple cocktails from the book and all have been delicious. All recipes are feasible and contain common ingredients. My personal favorite is Ghost-Busting juice, which is a fun play on the Hi-C Ecto Cooler. This book includes fun trivia from the 90’s, games, and even a Spotify playlist.
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This book gets the full 5 stars from me! It’s witty, fresh, and FUN! Thank you @slaughterwrites and @andrewsmcmeel for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review. This book is out in June- perfect timing to plan out your viewing party for the 90210 reboot this summer!

I thought I knew my 90s pretty well, but I clearly need to bone up a bit on them. I'm not usually a fancy drink person, but I'll be trying out some of these with my friends for sure. My only problem; no California Dreams drinks? Really? Come on!

Well, I know what my next party is going to be! Based on TV shows, movies and music from the nineties, this recipe book will satisfy anyone from the most basic of chefs to the most sophisticated. Packed with trivia and notes, it's just as much fun for the nineties nerd. A great fun read and a recipe for a fantastic party!

Are you Afraid of the Dark Rum is nostalgic and boozy trip back to the 90’s. You will find rum cocktails inspired by and reminiscent of parts of growing up in the 90’s. From Nickelodeon shows, to cheesy songs (Mumbo No 5 I am looking at you), you will find a number of recipes that will have no you only longing for a cocktail but thinking fondly about that era.

I will admit I do have a weakness for themed alcoholic beverages food, just look at my previous Cooking Corner posts, Are you Afraid of the Dark Rum is a fun cookbook that delivers on its rum based 90’s nostalgia. Are you Afraid of the Dark Rum is broken up into information sections needed to make the recipes, the cocktail recipes themselves, and then a fun last section dedicated to the 90’s. The sections are:

*Introduction
*Recommended Tools and Glassware
*Basic Mixing Techniques
*Converting to Metric
*Building Your Taste Bar
*A Note on Difficulty
*Recipes
*Appendices that look at Syrups and Infusions
*And a great surprise – playlists and 90’s drinking games

THE COOKBOOK ITSELF
Ease of Use: The recipes are set out in an easy to read layout and offer tips for some of the recipes which use different ingredients or feature a technique that is a little difficult. Each recipe also has it’s own picture, so you are even more tempted to whip out the rum and make some cocktails.

Formatting:

Recipes: The recipes are set out in a straight forward manner and feature a little comment by the author about the recipe and the piece of 90’s pop culture it is riffing on. Every recipe that I tried and had an in-depth look at, was really user friendly and easy to follow.

The ingredients are listed in order of usage and the following instructions are very clear and concise on what is needed to be done.

The recipes are written in imperial but the start of the book features a section which converts the ounces used in the book to millilitres. It’s not fun to have to flip back and forth to convert these (especially considering every country but three uses the metric system) but it is still great that this section is included in the book.

Book: The theme of the book is matched perfectly with the colour scheme and layouts used throughout the book. The pictures of the cocktails themselves were really fun but also showcased the drinks in a way that let me know just from looking at them if they were something I would like to try.

The back of the book also includes a ‘Playlists’ and ’90’s Drinking Game’ section that was a great way to finish of the book.

RECOMMENDATIONS
I would really recommend this cookbook to anyone who likes to drink rum or is looking for a fun cocktail book. Are you Afraid of the Dark Rum would be the perfect accessory for any 90’s themed party or pretty much anyone who has a cupboard full of rum and is looking to mix up something fancy.

Please note, I received a copy of Are you Afraid of the Dark Rum from NetGalley.

A super fun cocktail book filled with tasty looking recipes; a lot of which brought back so many of my childhood memories. I've never made fancier cocktails before, so there were some in here that looked a little daunting. I'd love to purchase this for my bartender friend. That way we can both enjoy the nostalgia and I don't have to do the work. ;)

This was such a fun little recipe book! I was born during the early 90s and I found that I did understand a lot of these references! Also the drinks did look very good and the book offered easy to follow instructions.

As a 90's kid I found this hysterical and nostalgic in the best way. I immediately tried some of the drinks out and played the 90's themed drinking games with my friends! Nothing but fun and good times.

Oh the nostalgia and the happy technicolour memories. This is the stuff of dreams... And liver issues.

I loved this book of drink recipes. Some are classics while they gave some a new spin. I'm always looking for new drinks to try and something different is what you will get with this book

Sam Slaughter’s Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? is a unique cocktail book that’ll take you on a fun boozy trip to the 90s. The recipes are easy-to-follow and Slaughter’s writing is approachable and humorous. But, I wish the book’s pictures were more relevant to the theme.

If you like themed recipe books or you’re missing your childhood in the 90s, this is definitely the cocktail book for you! It features reimagined versions of classic drinks, interesting original creations as well as adult versions of your favourite childhood drinks. Slaughter also includes simple and concise instructions on proper glassware, bar tools, mixing techniques, and recipes to create your own simple syrups and infusions.

The book is bright and colourful with full-colour pictures. I like the funky simplicity of the layout which nicely complements the recipes. However, I wish the pictures and the staging of the drinks were more unique and representative of the 90s. The cocktails are well-designed but generic. Some 90s props would have livened up the cocktails and reinforced the theme.

The recipes are clear and easy-to-follow. I love the funny names like The A/S/L, Kimmy Gimlet, and Blue Da Ba Dee Da Ba Dyed! I also love the witty little descriptions for each cocktail. Slaughter’s writing is casual and approachable. He instantly transports you back to the 90s with well-placed references to the media, language, snacks, and culture of the time.

The book has both simple and complicated cocktails to appeal to all levels of mixologists. However, several of the recipes feature specialty items like lavender bitters and ancho reyes that only the most advanced or adventurous mixologist may have.

The extra touches really make this book memorable. I love the interesting little trivia sprinkled throughout. I wish there were even more facts! I absolutely love the inclusion of carefully curated playlists and drinking games to help you plan your own throwback party.

Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum? is a fun and original cocktail book filled with easy-to-follow recipes that’ll have you yearning for the 90s. Although I wish the pictures were more interesting, I like this book and it will be a great addition to my themed cookbook collection. This book is a perfect gift for a nostalgic 90s kid or the mixologist in your life!


🍸🍸🍸🍸 cocktails out of 5!

Hello, nostalgia! Some of my favorite pop culture references growing up are now available to me and you in mixed drinks format. This would make an excellent gift for your best friend from middle school.

This collection of cocktail recipes made me nostalgic for my youth! I cannot wait to make these for my fellow 90s lovers! What a unique idea and one that didn't come off as corny!

Designed to look as though the typesetting was done in the '90s, Are You Afraid of the Dark Rum is a tongue-in-cheek take on sophisticated cocktail compilations. With catchy names like The Fresh Mint of Bel-Air and Livin' La Vida Coco, one can't help but laugh and be inspired to make a retro-themed drink. As a bonus, the author includes some time-period appropriate playlists to make for a great party.