It’s National Beverage Day! To celebrate, we’ve paired eleven of our favorite classics with what we think are their perfect drink counterparts. You’ll never be able to clink glasses with Jay Gatsby, but you can read about others doing so, all while drinking cocktails of the time!
1. The Great Gatsby – Sidecar
images via amazon and crafty bartending
One of the most iconic cocktails of the 20s is the sidecar. The drink is simple–1 ½ oz of Cognac, ¾ oz Triple Sec, ¾ lime juice, a twist of lemon zest, some ice cubes–and BANG, you’re living like Jay Gatsby.
Gatsby is notorious for his extravagant parties, and, if you’ve read the book, you most definitely have longed to attend one. Sadly, these parties are fictional (shocker, I know) and take place a century in the past. But no need to fear! Make up a sidecar drink, crack open your copy of The Great Gatsby, and get drunk as Gatsby, Daisy, and Nick do the same.
2. The Hobbit – Beer
Images via amazon and tor
Like many fantastical heroes, the characters of Lord of the Rings often drink mead or ale. That’s why you should enjoy a nice, cold can of beer while you race through J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit.
3. Pride and Prejudice – Tea
Images via amazon and bingley’s teas
It is a truth universally acknowledged, that any character of Austen’s has, at some point or another, drank tea. This makes it the perfect accompaniment to our favorite Austen classic–Pride and Prejudice. What kind is entirely up to you, but if you’re hoping to channel your inner Mrs. Bennet, you might enjoy some dandelion tea. In the book, she is quoted as drinking this tea to calm her nerves. You can easily find dandelion tea at the store, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can check out the “Compassion for Mrs. Bennet’s Nerves” tea, available on the Bingley’s Teas website.
4. The Catcher in the Rye – Rye Whiskey
images via amazon and the whisky exchange
Holden, the relatable (but oftentimes unlikeable) protagonist of Catcher in the Rye, gets drunk numerous times throughout the book in an attempt to avoid his problems after failing out of school. Holden’s angst (and yes, the name of the book) make rye whiskey the perfect accompaniment to this classic.
5. Agatha Christie Mysteries – Poison
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Okay, we don’t actually want you to drink poison. But if you really want to get into the book, perhaps consuming the substances that contained poison in the books (i.e. tea, wine, marmalade) will help you get into the mystery even more. The most common poison used in Christie’s books is cyanide, featured in The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side, And Then There Were None, A Pocketful of Rye, and Sparkling Cyanide.
6. Wuthering Heights – Dark and Stormy
images via amazon and today
Heathcliff is one of literature’s most well-loved villains. He is known for his dark moods, violent outbursts, and cold demeanor. That, paired with the gothic atmosphere of the book, makes a Dark and Stormy the perfect drink to enjoy while reading this Bronte classic!
All you need is 2 oz of dark-spiced rum, 3 oz. ginger beer, and ½ oz of lime juice. Or, if you need a little extra kick, why not enjoy straight rum? (We have a feeling Heathcliff is a straight-from-the-bottle kind of guy.)
7. To Kill a Mockingbird – Coca Cola
Images via amazon
If you remember Dolphus Raymond from the book, you might remember the part where he offers Dill a sip of his drink, which is concealed in a brown paper bag. Surprisingly enough, it’s not alcohol, but Coca Cola. Dolphus explains that he only pretends to be a drunk so that he doesn’t have to explain himself to others or justify why he prefers spending time with black people to whites.
As a nod to Dolphus Raymond, crack open a can of coke while following Scout’s story!
