These days, it has been really easy to let the negativity consume me. I lie awake at night, worrying about mile-long to-do lists
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.
These days, it has been really easy to let the negativity consume me. I lie awake at night, worrying about mile-long to-do lists
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.