Buzzworthy: Cocktails Inspired by Female Literary Greats

by Jennifer Croll, Rachelle Baker (Illustrator)

The author of Free the Tipple is back with another collection of delectable cocktails—this time a literary mix inspired by the world’s most iconic women writers.

The fifty recipes in this volume are as unconventional, imaginative, and refreshing as the authors that inspired them.

Each double-page spread includes an illustration of one important woman writer along with fascinating background about her œuvre, personality, and points of literary distinction. And, of course, each profile is paired with a delicious recipe for a fitting cocktail. Pulling from every category—literary and genre fiction, poetry, graphic novels, essays and nonfiction— this book offers some surprising twists as well as old favorites.

While each subject could provide hours of cocktail chatter, the recipes themselves are also a unique conversation the Virginia Woolf—a peach-and-mint creation with a modernist flair; the Octavia Butler—an uncompromising blend featuring bourbon and port; the Jia Tolentino—a purple sparkler that puts a cerebral twist on pop culture; and the Mary Shelley—an unexpected combination of the Manhattan and the Margarita.

Perfect for literary-themed parties as well as intimate gatherings, this book itself is an intoxicating, lip-loosening brew made of equal parts sophistication and fun.

Genres: Cookbooks, Nonfiction, Biography, Cooking

160 pages, Hardcover

Published April 11, 2023

About the author

Jennifer Croll is the author of Free the Tipple , Bad Girls of Fashion and Fashion That Changed the World and has written for magazines including NYLON, Adbusters, and Dazed and Confused. She lives in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Reviews

[Phobean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciate these type of books that teach you the juiciest snippets about people you know-of and don't know-of. A book devoted to cocktails (and mocktails) inspired by women of the writing world is itself, inspired. I only wish more kidlit and graphic novelists were represented (future edition of this book?) Really compelling, bold, and fun to stare at illustrations.

I don't think I've ever made a cocktail in my life beyond the simple samosa, but this book makes willing to try. Need a copy for my home shelf!

[Anne Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a lot of fun reading this book and imagining what each author was/is like based on the cocktails designed for them by the author of this book. I also enjoyed the illustrations of each woman. most I've read before but have a few new-to-me authors to explore.

My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/...

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't drink alcohol, so how can I properly rate a book of cocktails inspired by women writers? I enjoyed some of the brief biographies of the authors, and probably added some books to my mental to-be-read pile. Some of the cocktails seemed to fit what was being said about the writer, others didn't make as much sense to me. The graphic novels section was way too short, they say because it's a relatively new phenomenon dominated by men, but I can definitely think of more than the two listed here. There are some low-proof and zero-proof cocktails throughout, marked by single or double asterisks, but not noted in the table of contents, so they are harder to find. Maybe read it to discover more female authors, maybe for the cocktail recipes to celebrate the brilliant women writers you already know.

[La Crescent Public Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing female literary figures plus creative cocktails and mocktails! What's not to love?

Had to test run this booklovers mixology book that pairs cocktails (and N/A options too!) with women authors. There's a great summary of each author and what influences led to the notes of their featured cocktail. Helpful equipment, a bibliography, and syrup mixtures included. Plus, the artwork is GORGEOUS. Includes a very good representation of classic and contemporary women authors, as well as breaking it up by style including fiction, memoirs and essays, poetry, and graphic novels.

~ Jess

[Slmstanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's rare that I pick up a cocktail recipe book and think "Wow, I'd drink any of these". All of these look amazing - I especially enjoy the little background info on the famous women these are inspired by.

The recipes are interesting, tasty, and unusual - pick it up to help elevate your next party. :)

[Erikka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome! I loved the summaries of these amazing women and the thought that went into making the drinks make sense to them. A few were a bit of a stretch, but most of them were perfectly themed. Also, several sounded absolutely delicious.

[Cynthia Sprout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful book with a page of information each of many wonderful female authors. The drinks are outlandish.

[sasha? · Rating 4 out of 5]

love love love

art is so cool, women are even cooler and literary women are the coolest.