Make the purr-fect cocktail for the cat lover in your life with latest from Natalie Bovis

Full confession: I'm allergic to cats and prefer dogs as a family pet.

But I know a fun book when I see it. I especially recognize a worthwhile cookbook.

That's exactly what "Cocktails With My Cat" is – a cookbook that will put a smile on your face. I've already given a copy to one of my cat-person friends. It was made to be a hostess gift.

But the book is useful as well. I might even make some of the cocktails from the book, which is subtitled "Tasty Tipples for Feline Fanatics."

Before I say that the illustrations drawn by Rae Ritchie make the book, I must pause to acknowledge there is some really good reading here, too, from mixologist and author Natalie Bovis. There's lots of it, too. This is no lightweight book. There are historical stories, trivia and endless fun facts you can drop effortlessly into conversation.

For example, if you want to meet a six-toed feline, called a polydactyl, you can visit Ernest Hemingway’s former home in Key West, Florida, now a museum. The dozens of polydactyls in residence are said to be descended from a white six-toed cat given to the author by a ship’s captain.

Bovis herself has seven rescue pets (not counting the 13 fish), and she fosters kittens and often donates proceeds from her lineup of culinary events to animal welfare organizations. Her previous cocktail books include "Drinking with My Dog," which I now need to buy. It was published a year ago.

Here are two recipes from the book to try.

The Seven Seas and Six Toes is Bovis' variation on the Gin and Tonic, a classic highball that originated from British sailors mixing their gin rations with quinine-rich tonic to stave off malaria and squeezing in lime juice to prevent scurvy. The Cat Gods and Goddesses is a heavenly concoction that blends hibiscus tea, rose water and anise.

Cat Gods and Goddesses

• 4 ounces hibiscus tea

• ½ ounce anise-flavored liqueur

• ¼ ounce rose water

• Garnish: lemon wedge and mint leaves

Shake all the ingredients with ice and strain into a Martini glass. Place the lemon wedge and mint leaves on the rim of the glass.

Seven Seas and Six Toes

• 3 ounces tonic water

• 1½ ounces London Dry gin

• ½ ounce Amontillado sherry

• Garnish: lime wedge

Fill a Collins glass with ice, then pour in half the tonic water. Add the gin and sherry and stir, then add the rest of the tonic water. Place the lime wedge on the rim of the glass.

Excerpted from "Cocktails With My Cat: Tasty Tipples for Feline Fanatics" by Natalie Bovis (Running Press 2024, $24).

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: 'Cocktails With My Cat' a fun cookbook from author Natalie Bovis