Would You Like to Join Our Booze and Book Club?

An old friend, Sunshine, told me that I ought to give book recommendations and pair them with beverage options as a go-along. I can only imagine that she suggested that I do this because I am a Literature teacher and because half of the poems that I write seems to circle around whiskey. Whether that was her reason on not, I find the idea to be amusing, so I have decided to follow her suggestion.

For the month of October, I have decided that the book I will recommend is the classic Dracula by Bram Stoker. To finish the book in the month of October, I’ve got a rough pacing for the reader that needs a schedule to adhere to. I have a beverage suggestion for each set of readings, and for the final chapters I have a suggested meal to boot.

Each week we’re aiming to finish about 65 pages, which may seem daunting until you break it down to that roughly being 9 pages a day. Good reading, and drink deeply, dear humans.

Week One (October 1-7)

Chapters I-VI

Starting with one of our protagonists, chapter one entitled “Jonathan Harker’s Journal.” It’ll be something you get used to as you go, this switching between first-person narrators. But given that I’m sending you off to Transylvania and meeting the Count for the first time, a robust red seems to be in order.

To go along with your starting the book (if you really want to break the bank and find the absolute perfect beverage pairing), I suggest you pick up a bottle of Royal Tokaji (Tokay). This sweet Hungarian wine is actually what Mr. Harker partakes in at the castle of the Count. Of course, that’s a difficult hunt and an expensive purchase, so if you’re in a similar boat to this poor teacher, maybe try a bottle of Maraska Slivovitz instead. It’s a traditional plum brandy. Drink the wine at room temperature or the brandy chilled but not watered down.

Week Two (October 8-14)

Chapters VII-XIII

Oh my! The story proceeds and we’ve now met a number of our personable characters! Back in the hub of London, there are a number of protagonists introduced, among them the renowned Dr. Van Helsing. This is also when Dracula’s deeds become more…pronounced, and far more nefarious.

To take you through this second act of the story, I recommend either a bottle of Genever (the Dutch equivalent of gin, and this tailors to Dr. Van Helsing’s heritage). The brand Bols is a popular one. If you’re not a fan of Genever or you want something easier to come by, have a Negroni—this is a gin cocktail (1:1:1 gin, vermouth, and Campari) that can be given a blood orange or lemon garnish, and it’s particularly fitting for dear Lucy Westenra regardless of the citrus you use. The Genever can be room temperature or chilled, but it is to be sipped slowly, not shot. The Negroni should be shaken.

Week Three (October 15-21)

Chapters XIV-XVII

What horrors are being wrought on our heroes! This is where the nightmarish parts start to kick in. Blooferlady? I dare say! At least Mina Harker is still strong. What a woman. You might be tempted to read ahead. Feel free! I won’t stop you.

As we push into the darkest parts of the book, I now recommend that you read it during daylight hours. For that purpose, you need to drink appropriately. This cocktail will ward Dracula off. Try a Bloody Bulldog, a variant of a Bloody Mary. The recipe is as follows:

2 oz Buldog Gin, 4 oz tomato juice, ½ oz lemon juice, half a clove of minced garlic, 1tbsp of prepared horseradish, 1tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1tbsp Worchestershire sauce, 3 dashes of celery salt, black pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Garnishes can include celery, olives, cherry tomatoes, carrots, or bacon.

Week Four (October 22-28)

Chapters XVIII-XXIII

Ok, Renfeild is creepy as sin, what is going on with Mina, and what are good men to do in such a world? We’re so close to the end now, we can almost taste it. Of course, Dracula has a new taste on his mind…

And of course, we would be remiss if we missed this section's obvious pairing between Mina’s hair, Dracula’s devilish ways, and the thanks our heroes owe to the Real Presence. I recommend either a bottle of Syrah (a full-bodied, inky red wine what uses rich fruit flavors highlighted by chocolate or tobacco). Nostalgia speaks through me when I remember Big Basin Vineyard’s Syrah, as they’re local for me. Otherwise, have a port. A dessert-y red wine whose sweetness might be what you need to get through these dark times in the book. The wine should be drunk at room temperature after a gift of breath, the port can be drunk slightly warmed, if you so wish.

Week Five, the Conclusion (October 29-31)

Chapters XXIV-XXVII

And now we’ve reached the end. This exciting, horrible chase leads us right into All Soul’s day (almost like I planned when I’d recommend beginning and ending this book). You who have joined me on this journey will understand my drink pairing, I think.

Please join me in capping off the novel with a glass of whiskey, neat. I will be drinking Buffalo Trace. You might enjoy one from Mr. Morris’ home state of Texas, in which case a Texas Whiskey may be appropriate.

My meal suggestion is a simple and elegant one: it is the same that Jonathan Harker enjoys with the count in the beginning, but modified fittingly. Oven-roasted chicken (seasoned with rosemary, stuffed with lemons and crushed garlic), with an aged British cheddar and an arugula, walnut salad on the sides. Additionally, a large helping of over-roasted garlic, to keep the Count at bay.

Happy reading, and drink deeply.