I feel like it has been AGES since I was obsessed with a hyped book series, but here I am now! I guess
Thank you for the support on Instagram for these book-themed cocktails, especially these Shadow & Bone ones! I have always loved coming up with new recipes and challenging myself to create themed drinks and desserts, but I never thought it would become a thing. Getting comments from people calling me a “bookish cocktail queen”??? So flattering! When I started posting on Bookstagram again last month, I was so not up to date on all that has happened in the five-ish years that I had been on hiatus; now, I’m kind of problematically addicted to Bookstagram again.
Honestly, I totally forgot that the Shadow & Bone series was going to be released, until my favorite bookish Discord group planned a watch party. Big shout out to the Court of Chaotic Bitches for supporting my boozy and bookish endeavors! I will definitely be posting more in the recipe section of the blog.
Another bit of honestly–the Grishaverse hype train didn’t start sweeping me up until now. I read read Shadow & Bone in high school, but I stopped halfway through Siege & Storm for reasons I can’t totally remember. And I still need to watch past episode 1 of the Netflix series; I blame my master’s program. I got my dance partner to watch the whole season and read all of the books before I could even try to pick them up again (side note: I’ve received requests for a Darklina tango, but I think my dance partner and I look like Alina and Nikolai–thoughts on a potential Shadow & Bone dance??).
Now that I’m FINALLY DONE, I look forward to drooling over Ben Barnes and Freddy Carter and maybe actually catching up on Leigh Bardugo’s books. Well, if I can whittle down my TBR list. Based on what I have already seen, the special effects/acting/costumes all look great! Plus, the cultural nuance of Alina being half Shu adds some much needed diversity to streaming content. I literally studied this for my job, and the findings were rough…
Anyway, I had a lot of fun coming up with The Sun Summoner and The Darkling cocktails. Recently, I’ve been spending a lot of time exploring herbalism and kitchen witchery, so I wanted these cocktails to fit Shadow & Bone aesthetically but also through ingredients with fitting associations. Witchcraft Cocktails by Julia Halina Hadas has been an awesome resource for me, and I modified her chamomile-lavender syrup for The Sun Summoner. Buy it via IndieBound/bookshop.org to support indie book stores!
It might be a little on the nose, but I knew I wanted to use vodka in both recipes to allude to the Russian inspiration behind Ravka, and the classic Black Russian came to mind instantly for Shadow & Bone‘s “Black Heretic.” I added maple syrup because maple, associated with immortality/longevity, is perfect for the ancient Grisha. I wanted something with a little kick, so cinnamon was my instinctive addition. Cinnamon also inspires love and lust, which makes it perfect for Darklina shippers and the hotness of Ben Barnes. Side note: Younger me had a crush on him as Prince Caspian, and adult me has not stopped swooning. I used Ketel One and Kahlua, but feel free to use whatever you prefer!
For The Sun Summoner, using ingredients (e.g., lemon, chamomile) associated with the sun seemed obvious. I liked that chamomile is also comforting as well, a bright presence on a shadowed day. The lavender in the syrup is for protection. Think of it as Alina’s protection in the Fold.
I feel like it has been AGES since I was obsessed with a hyped book series, but here I am now! I guess
A Fate of Wrath & Flame by K.A. Tucker
Series: Fate & Flame #1
Published by: K.A. Tucker (independently published) on May 25, 2021
Genre: Fantasy, Romance,
Welcome to my cottage–er, blog!
I’m Dana, a self-identifying magical girl who *mostly* uses her powers for good. I am completely an utterly obsessed with books (especially romance), food, cats, and plants. Stay awhile, pick up a book, sip some tea, and say hello to my familiar, Alice.