Written by Tashay Gonzalez
Finding the right drink to keep you company during a romantic read can be a bit of a challenge if you aren’t sure what adventures the book has in store. Is it a tart and tasty odd-couple, a warm and spicy affair, or a sweet and smooth happily ever after? With the right cocktail, every sip can bring you closer to your own romantic bliss.
We’ve crafted a list of our most recent romance book pics paired with a few quick and easy cocktail recipes. These duos will make you feel like they’re meant to be from the first sip to the last page (if you’re a fast reader or make a big enough batch!)
Note: There are pretty standard cocktails but we’ve made the names cute to align with the book themes. We’ve provided the real name as well!
That Can Be Arranged: A Muslim Love Story by Huda Fahmy
This illustrated comicbook written by Huda Fahmy of instagram cartoon fame brings a light and sweet romance with a side of comedy from beginning to end. You get a look at her family life, her nerdy humor, and how she found her soulmate all within a few hours worth of reading.
Since this read is quick and sweet, your partnering cocktail should be too! Our recommended partner drinks are:
Sort of Meet-Cute (Floridora Cocktail)
Prep Time – 5 mins / Total Time – 5 mins
Ingredients:
1 ½ ounces Gin
Ice Cubes
½ ounce fresh lime juice
½ ounce Raspberry Liqueur
4 ounces Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale (or whichever you prefer)
Garnish: Lime wedge
Garnish: Sprig of mint
Instructions:
- Add Gin, lime juice and Raspberry Liqueur into a tall glass
- Add ice, shake and strain into a different tall glass
- Top with Schweppes Dry Ginger Ale (or whichever you prefer) and a sprig of mint
Or for a non-alcoholic beverage, try the
Supervised First Date (Cloudy Tokyo)
Prep Time – 5 mins / Total Time – 10 mins
Ingredients:
5 ounces green tea, chilled
½ ounce coconut milk
5 ounces coconut soda, chilled
Handful of dehydrated raspberries
Instructions:
- Stir chilled tea and milk in a tall Highball glass.
- Top with chilled soda.
- Add crushed dehydrated raspberries.
Night Shift: A Choose Your Own Erotic Fantasy by Joanna Angel
A dirty twist on the “Choose your own adventure” genre, Night Shift by Joanna Angel (of adult entertainment and entrepreneurial fame) is a sassy and playful read for those of you who like your smut on the stickier side. Say what you will about the plot, this read will definitely give you something R-rated to talk about.
Since this read has a drink that gets referenced regardless of which path you take, we’re sharing a recipe that can put you in the middle of the adventure:
Porn Shop Punch (Witches Brew)
Prep Time – 5 mins / Total Time – 5 mins
Ingredients:
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce cranberry juice
2 ounces Sprite
1 & ¼ shot Malibu Coconut Rum
1-2 sour punch straws
Instructions:
- Mix the juices and the Sprite in a highball glass.
- Pour a shot of rum down the side of the glass right before drinking.
- Add in sour punch straw to mix and snack on.
Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras
A warm breeze can set the tone for a Latinx love affair, which is what you get when you crack open Island Affair by Priscilla Oliveras. Strangers pretending to date to fool family? A trope that doesn’t go out of style. You’ll find yourself wondering if you can get your own fireman calendar by the end.
To pay homage to the fruit Key West FL is most known for, we’re giving you a tangy treat reminiscent of the dessert. You can also pair this with a slice of pie!
Island Time Tonic (Key Lime Martini)
Prep Time – 8 mins / Total Time – 8 mins
Ingredients:
2 ounces vanilla vodka
1/2 ounce key lime juice or regular lime juice
2 tablespoons Coco Lopez cream of coconut
1 ounce pineapple juice
1 ounce heavy cream
Graham cracker crumbs (Optional)
Instructions:
- Rim a cocktail glass with the graham cracker crumbs. (Recommend using a little simple syrup as your liquid to get the crackers to stick)
- Fill a martini shaker with ice and put all the other ingredients in it.
- Shake thoroughly and strain into a chilled martini glass.
- Garnish with a wheel of lime or a lime twist.
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Whether you pair these up together or enjoy the beverage over some IRL romance gossip with friends (or even marathoning that Netflix murder series you’ve had bookmarked for weeks), we hope you get the delicious happily ever after that fits you best!
To hear reviews of the books we listed, check us out on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Anchor, and YouTube! Find us on Goodreads under Only Lovers Book Club!
With Love, Only Lovers Book Club
