Clear skies and sunny days are already upon us, and I can think of few better accompaniments to a sun hat, a lawn chair, and a good book than a good drink to sip on with it. In celebration of the blue-sky season, I’ve paired eight classic summer drinks with a book I think is perfect with it, based on, well, vibes.
Mojito – Walden by Henry David Thoreau
Sparkling, tart, and refreshing, this minty cocktail is the perfect vibe to keep you company as you explore some of Henry David Thoreau’s equally refreshing reflections. Walden takes place over two years, two months, and two days, during which Thoreau lived in a self-built cabin near Walden Pond in Massachusetts.
During this time, he reflects on nature, building his personal connection and understanding the environment around him, from the seasons to animal behaviors to the changing plants and landscapes. His deep introspection and reflection focus heavily on the role and form of society and its limitations on the individual. Overall, this book is full of refreshing ideas that make me want to get outside in some fresh, clean air.
Ginger Spritz – Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan
This cocktail is bursting with warm ginger and citrus flavors, just as effervescent as the world and characters crafted by Sue Lynn Tan in Immortal. Liyen is heir to the throne of Tianxia, and when her father angers the immortal queen, she is left to inherit a country under attack by the formidable God of War.
When she is called to the immortal realm, she endeavors to protect her people and learn as much as she can about the immortals with the same god who threatens her. As attraction simmers between the pair, Liyen knows she must fight it to protect all she loves.
Negroni – Angels and Demons by Dan Brown
This Italian classic and simple cocktail pairs naturally with the first installment in the Robert Langdon series (as he’s later seen in The Da Vinci Code and several others). Angels and Demons tells the story of the renowned Harvard professor of religious symbology as he, along with the Italian scientist Vittoria Vetra, races to follow the set of ancient symbols through the very depths of the Vatican City.
Their mission: uncover the force threatening the Vatican in the hopes of saving the holy city from their fiercest opponent, the ancient brotherhood of the Illuminati. This high-stakes race against time is a page-turner that doesn’t get enough credit.
Frosé – Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
Tart, sweet, and crisp, this frozen rosé mixed with strawberry and lemon will refresh you on your journey with Diem Bellator as she is thrust into the politics and deception of life with the Descended royalty in order to discover the truth to her mother’s secrets.
With a handsome, brooding heir keeping a close watch on her, and a rising civil war effort that threatens everything, Diem must learn quickly and think on her feet to navigate the unspoken rules of royalty if she wants to save the people she loves.
Bellini – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
A fun, fruity, fizzy sip is a unique companion for an equally unique story. Prepare yourself to join Arthur Dent as he’s plucked off Earth moments before it’s completely destroyed to go on an epic journey, you guessed it, hitchhiking across the galaxy. He combines the utterly practical with the absolutely incredulous as he converses with all manner of alien-yet-familiar characters. While their journey is zany and out-of-this-world, their conclusions are surprisingly relevant to all of our lives down here on Earth.
Mint Julep – The Giver by Lois Lowry
The perfect combination of rich bourbon and light minty sweetness, the balanced mint julep mirrors the themes of The Giver almost too well. When Jonas, a young boy in a world that seems all too utopian, is selected to inherit the memories of all of humanity – the good and the bad – his new knowledge sets him out on a journey to change everything.
Peach Iced Tea – Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Sip on an earthy, grounded beverage with a bright floral and citrusy sweetness as you join Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy through their journeys as sisters finding their desired places in the world. They fight, laugh, imagine, and love deeply, and as their dreams take them in different directions and pull them away from each other, they must explore the bonds of sisterhood, romance, friendship, and their individuality to find how they fit together as adults in a much larger world.
Cucumber-Mint Cooler – Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind by Hayao Miyazaki
Pair a hydrating and totally refreshing sip with a graphically stunning and thematically powerful manga by the genius Hayao Miyazaki. Princess Nausicaä is of the Valley of the Wind, a small seaside village precariously protected from the encroaching toxic jungle by the winds from the sea. As humanity fights wars over the last of the planet’s dwindling resources, Nausicaä employs her knowledge and connection to the plants and creatures of the toxic jungle as she urges people towards tolerance and a peaceful future.
From crisp and light to bold and layered, each of these summer drinks has its own unique personality to match the worlds we immerse ourselves in within these varied pages. As always, feel free to put your own spin on any and all of these recipes to match your reading journey!
Still not over spring? Click here to check out our spring drink and book pairings!
Click here to browse Bookstr’s favorite fantasy reads on our Bookshop bookshelf!
