Tales & Mocktails- Both Shockingly Good!

Writing and drinking have quite a history together, so when we discovered Tim Federle's Tequila Mockingbird: Cocktails with a Literary Twist, a self-described " SparkNotes with a liquor license", we were looking for a way to make it more " Public Library friendly". So while Tequila Mockingbird speaks to alcoholic drinks and refers to the originals, we thought it would be interesting to make some Mocktails based on recipes from the book and refer to some retellings or "Mocktales" of new original books which inspired the drinks. 

There are an abundance of Pride and Prejudice retellings. As a most ardent fan of Jane Austen’s works, I do not take Pride and Prejudice retellings lightly. Some retellings are well worth the read, and some are well worth forgetting. Ayesha at Last is a modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice set in Toronto that remains true to the original. It is easy to find Elizabeth Bennet in the outspoken, aspiring poet Ayesha and Mr. Darcy in the judgmental Khalid as the twobanter and fall in love. Featuring controlling mothers, a supportive best friend, a flirty cousin, and gossiping aunties, Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin is well worth the read.

The Mocktail: Margarita at Last

• Combine 1/2 cup of Limeade
• 1/4 cup Lemon flavored Sparkling Water
• 1/4 cup Lime flavored Sparkling Water
• 1/4 cup Orange juice
• Pour into Margarita glass with ice
• Optional Salt and Slice of Lime or Sprig of Mint to garnish.

Though renowned as a must-read, Herman Melville’s Moby Dick tends to lead to more groans than cheers. After my own required reading experience with Moby Dick, I have never felt the need to revisit Moby Dick, that is until The Which Way Tree by Elizabeth Crook.  Set in the Texas Hill Country, Benjamin Shreve (Ishmael) relates the story of his half-sister, Samantha (Ahab), as she tracks the panther (Moby Dick) that mauled her and killed her mother. Filled with adventure, humor, and Texas, this western is a welcome retelling of Moby Dick.

The Mocktail: Blue Sour Whale

• Ice Martini Glass
• Pour  2 oz. of Pineapple Juice and 2 oz. of Blue Gadorade  into a Shaker with Ice
• Shake vigorously
• Pour into Iced Martini Glass, add
• 2 oz. of Club Soda
• 2 oz. of Sprite or 7up
• Garnish with your favorite gummy

Since it’s publication in 1989, Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club was an instant classic. Being a product of 1989 myself, I can attest that the date is not what makes The Joy Luck Club a classic, it’s the family dynamic in the story that made it an instant classic. Though not described as a retelling, Family Trust by Kathy Wang, focuses on the challenges of being a family. Stanely Huang is the patriarch of a first-generation Chinese-American family in Silicon Valley and he is dying. Each member of the Huang family must each deal with Stanley’s illness and their own struggles. Witty and candid, Family Trust will appeal to fans of The Joy Luck Club.

The Mocktail: The Cranberry Soda Club Punch

• Combine in a small punch bowl or pitcher
• Stir together 2/3 cup of Simple Syrup
• 4 cups of Cranberry Juice
• 2 cup Club Soda or Sparkling Water
• 1 cup fresh cut Lime
• Garnish with Lime, Cherries and/or Oranges

For more “mocktales” visit our Overdrive and please remember to drink & read responsibly.