This is, indeed, what it promises to be: a cozy fantasy in which a blood mage retires from the Northern Guard and tries to find a new life of less pain and more pleasurable purpose in a southern clime. With the help of a new friend, he opens a tavern that features cocktails described in his father's travel journal. When a threatening beast comes to town, he has to decide whether to keep hiding behind his new persona or step up and protect the people he has come to care for, even if it means possible death and certain loss of their camaraderie.

The characters are delightful, but I was expecting just a bit more from the plot, which was full of delicious cocktails but a little thin otherwise. 

Note: In the edition I read, there were a few sketchy lines that kinda completely ruined the otherwise enjoyable read for me. The author has since revised the copy, so it should be smooth cozy sailing for future readers.