8 Literary-Inspired Drinks & Cocktails for Your Next Book Club
Some book clubs run on thoughtful literary analysis. Others run on snacks and a suspiciously generous pour. We support both.
If you’re looking for book club drink ideas, these eight literary-inspired cocktails and mocktails bring a little of the story off the page and into your glass.
From Gatsby’s classic Gin Rickey and the Vesper Martini of Casino Royale to drinks inspired by The Lord of the Rings, A Court of Thorns and Roses, Red Rising, and more, there’s something here for fantasy readers, romantics, classic-lit lovers, and the person who definitely finished the book five minutes before everyone arrived.
Pick your story, pour accordingly, and let’s make book club a little more literary. And considerably more hydrated.
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The Great Gatsby Gin Rickey — A Classic Literary Cocktail
Transport your book club to the glamour of the 1920s with this refreshing classic. Daisy and Gatsby shared Gin Rickeys on sultry summer afternoons, and now you can, too. This crisp cocktail is perfect for discussing lost loves and extravagant parties.
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Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 0.5 oz lime juice, freshly squeezed
- Club soda, to top
- Serve over ice in a highball glass, garnish with a lime wheel.
- Glassware: Serve in elegant highball glasses like these to capture the Gatsby vibe.
Recipe found on liquor.com.
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The Sun Also Rises Jack Rose — A Hemingway-Inspired Cocktail
Jake Barnes might have had his struggles, but he knew how to drown his sorrows in style. The Jack Rose is tart, sophisticated, and symbolic of Hemingway’s world of bittersweet adventures.
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Recipe:
- 1.5 oz Applejack (apple brandy)
- 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.5 oz of grenadine
- Shake with ice, strain into a coupe glass, and garnish with a lemon twist.
- Glassware: Sip from vintage-inspired coupe glasses to channel 1920s Paris.
Recipe found on liquor.com.
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Casino Royale Vesper Martini — The James Bond Cocktail
James Bond introduced the Vesper Martini in Ian Fleming’s *Casino Royale*, making it a timeless choice for a night of intrigue. Shaken, not stirred, of course.
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Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 0.5 oz vodka
- 0.25 oz Lillet Blanc
- Shake with ice, strain into a martini glass, garnish with a lemon twist.
- Glassware: Impress your guests with these sleek martini glasses.
Recipe found on thespruceeats.com
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The Lord of the Rings Miruvor — A Fantasy-Inspired Cocktail
The elves of Rivendell were known for their ethereal beverages, and this modern take on their Cordial of Imladris brings floral and honeyed notes to life. Sip on this magical drink as you discuss Tolkien’s epic world.
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Recipe:
- 3 fl oz white tea
- 1.5 oz London Dry gin
- 1.5 oz elderflower liqueur
- 0.5 oz honey syrup (3 parts honey, 1 part hot water)
- 0.5 tsp orange flower water
- After steeping your white tea for 3-5 minutes, add your other ingredients and stir.
- Book: For more fantasy-inspired recipes, check out The Geeky Bartender.
Picture from the recipe originally found on novelnightcaps.com
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ACOTAR Night Court — A Romantasy-Inspired Cocktail
Velaris, the City of Starlight, deserves a drink as enchanting as its name. This gin-based cocktail shimmers with edible glitter, evoking the magic of Feyre’s world. Cheers to the stars who listen and the dreams that are answered!
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Recipe:
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz Monin violet syrup with edible luster dust
- ½ oz maraschino liqueur
- 1 oz fresh lemon juice
- Shake with ice, serve in a chilled glass, and stir occasionally to keep the shimmer alive.
Adapted from the recipe originally found on sweetdees.com
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Iron Gold Venusian Fury — A Red Rising Inspired Cocktail
In *Iron Gold*, Ephraim’s crew drinks a fierce cocktail that tastes of licorice and salt. Bold and bracing, this drink is perfect for fans of Pierce Brown’s gritty sci-fi series. And @Pierce_Brown was kind enough to share the recipe.
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Recipe:
- 1 oz spiced rum
- 1.5 oz crème de cacao
- 0.5 oz Fernet Branca
- 0.5 oz chocolate stout
- 1/8tsp squid ink
- A dash of cayenne or a twist of anise
- Optional: Salt rim.
- Shake and serve with enmity
- Accessories: Mix it up with this gold cocktail shaker set.
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The Princess Bride “As You Wish” — A Literary Romance Cocktail
In celebration of one of the most romantic books of all time, we’ve found a cocktail that’s just as delightful. This floral drink is as bright as Buttercup’s love for Wesley—and just as memorable.
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Recipe:
- 1.5 oz mezcal
- 0.5 oz sotol
- 0.5 oz Benedictine honey liqueur
- 0.75 oz lemon juice
- 0.5 oz orgeat
- 0.3 oz crème de violette
- Add ingredients to a Collins glass over crushed ice, swizzle, and float crème de violette on top.
- Tools: Achieve the perfect crushed ice with this crushed ice maker.
Recipe found in Chilled Magazine
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Keeper of the Lost Cities Fuzzy Fizz — A Literary-Inspired Mocktail
For the YA readers in your book club, this sparkling mocktail is fun, fizzy, and magical enough to fit right into Sophie Foster’s world.
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Recipe:
- 2.5 cups blue Gatorade
- 1/3 cup grenadine
- 1 cup Sprite
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Purple edible glitter for sparkle
- Mix together and serve chilled.
Adapted from the recipe originally found on homemadehooplah.com
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From the glamour of Gatsby to the magic of Velaris, these drinks will transform your book club into a literary adventure. Whether you’re sipping a Vesper Martini or toasting with Fuzzy Fizz, let the stories come alive in every glass. Cheers!
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Make Your Next Book Club a Whole Thing
The drinks are handled. Now all you need are the books, the snacks, and at least one friend willing to derail the entire discussion with a completely unhinged theory.
From bookish mugs and candles to bookmarks, reading accessories, and gifts for the friend who somehow always picks the 700-page option, After Word has plenty of ways to make your next book club night feel a little more special.
