It’s Time to Unwind with Our Sip-and-Read Staff Picks
December 13, 2024
Whew! Now that we are shutting the door on that messy guest called 2024, we are officially in our unwind and imbibe era until further notice. Join us, won’t you? Because your books should be as good as your booze. We asked our staff members which beverage, cocktail, or mocktail they would pair with their favorite Beacon book, and they did not disappoint. Cheers!
Down and Dirty
Honestly, I don’t know much about food or drink, though my favorite type of wine is sangria. But I do know a little bit about candy and books—in that order. Dirt Work is a memoir of becoming a trail dog and making a career out of working outside. Instead of a computer, she works with axes and shovels. It’s a stressful time, and I’m looking at the news too much. This book is a reminder to go outside and get off my phone. I would pair it with gummi worms and um, I guess, a sangria?
Mocktail version: Skip the brandy and wine! Just mix 2 parts unsweetened cherry juice to 1 part sparkling water.
—Beth Collins, production manager
The Ominous Gaze
Emily Powers, senior marketing manager, recommends pairing Women and Other Monsters with Genevieve Morrison’s The Ominous Gaze cocktail. Because there’s a reason Medusa hated the male gaze.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz. dry sake
- 1½ oz. lychee juice from one 19.9 oz. can of lychees in heavy syrup
- ½ oz. fresh lemon juice
- ½ oz. prosecco – or 1 oz. if you prefer more sparkles
- ½ tsp. Luxardo maraschino cherry syrup – from a jar of Luxardo Maraschino Cherries
- 1 Luxardo maraschino cherry
- 1 lychee from one 19.9 oz. can of lychees in heavy syrup
- Cocktail shaker, cocktail pin or toothpick, coup glass
Mocktail version: Instead of sake and prosecco, opt for sweetened plum juice or a plum simple syrup and a bubbly beverage like sparkling grape juice.
The Gin and Bear It
Hendrick’s neat with a small pinch of salt. (Maldon salt is so pretty. You can watch it dissolve.) I’m currently reading The Psychoanalysis of Fire, which I found on a used book cart at Brattle Book Shop. And snack? Whatever carton of berries is in the fridge or jelly on saltines. Perfection!
Non-alcoholic version: Pick up a non-alcoholic spirit like Seedlip Grove 42 or Monday Zero Alcohol Gin.
—Carol Chu, creative director
The Mainer
The Seven Necessary Sins for Women and Girls, a Lunch IPA, and a pizza from Blaze at Dole’s Orchard since I’m a Mainer now.
Non-alcoholic version: Try an NA IPA like Best Day Hazy IPA or Athletic Brewing Company’s Run Wild. (Disclaimer: I don’t drink IPAs, so go with your gut!)
—Claire Desroches, senior analyst, business operations and reprints
The Bucket of Blood
“He can swear Hell’s an icebox for the right price.” Hmm, sounds familiar . . .
Meet Sadie James in Ghosts of Crook County, “The Notorious” detective and owner of Blood Bar in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
You’ll need:
- 2 oz. bourbon
- 1 oz. Cynar*
- a dash of orange bitters
Shaken with ice and best enjoyed with a citrus or Luxardo cherry garnish.
Mocktail version: Check out Spiritless Kentucky 74 for an NA bourbon alternative. I can’t speak for Russell Cobb, who shared this recipe, but I’d go for Lyre’s Italian Orange Non-Alcoholic Spirits in place of Cynar and the orange bitters.
—Brittany Wallace, sales and marketing coordinator
The Commentator
It’s hard to pick, but I have a soft spot for And the Category Is . . . with its focus on a relatively NYC-centric subculture. I feel like it deserves a mezcal margarita with its big, bold, and smokey flavors. For the spicy one with the quick clapbacks at the watch party, perhaps a passionfruit marg?
Mocktail version: The good people of Google seem to overwhelmingly agree that Monday Mezcal is the best NA mezcal option! But you can also try Cut Above Zero Proof Mezcal or Little Saints St. Ember.
—Bev Rivero, senior publicist