By Ariana Carpentieri:
It’s the most wonderful time of the year to cozy up with some good books while you’re feeling fervently festive. If you’re looking for some inspo to throw your own little bookish soirée this holiday season, then look no further! Team Forge has you covered. Read below to see the food & drinks we think would make the perfect pairings with some of our 2023 books so that you can forge your own holiday party with your book club!
Up on the Woof Top by Spencer Quinn
What to Eat: Chet the dog, “the most lovable narrator in all of crime fiction” (Boston Globe) and his human partner Bernie Little find themselves high in the mountains this holiday season to help Dame Ariadne Carlisle, a renowned author of bestselling Christmas mysteries, find Rudy, her lead reindeer and good luck charm, who has gone missing. Since the setting is the mountains, we think creme puffs would be a great treat because you could even assemble them in a mountain-like shape by creating a classic croquembouche–AKA: a cream puff tower!
What to Drink: Nothing beats curling up under a cozy blanket and sipping on something that’ll warm you from the inside out. And a holiday read like Up on the Woof Top calls for a staple holiday drink! We feel hot chocolate is the best beverage to pair with this wonderful book.
The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen
What to Eat: Matchboxes are an important component in Andy’s investigation (and can also be seen making a cameo on the cover), so something with a little fire to it would make a great treat to eat while you read! These spicy chocolate cookies are sure to bring just the right amount of heat to your holiday book club gathering.
What to Drink: The best drink to pair with The Bell in the Fog is actually one featured in the book!: “He smiles and mixes something up, crushing leaves into ice, and making him smell like mint. I watch his arms as he turns the muddler, muscles swelling as they fill out his sleeves. He sets the drink down in front of me. ‘Mint julep. It won’t make you forget, but I think it’ll help you sleep through this when you head upstairs.’” This mint julep recipe is sure to be just as refreshing as reading this historical mystery is!
A Good Family by Matt Goldman
What to Eat: Katie Kuhlmann’s marriage is falling apart. But she has a secure job, her children are healthy, and her house, a new construction in the prestigious Country Club neighborhood of Edina, Minnesota, is beautiful. She can almost ignore the way her husband, Jack, has been acting–constantly checking his phone, not going to work, disappearing from the house only to show up again without explanation. A common Country Club appetizer menu option is charcuterie, so you can build your own at home and snack while you read!
What to Drink: Outwardly, this family has a seemingly perfect home life and have everything in order…but secrets are often hidden behind closed doors. So we think a classic, staple cocktail like an old fashioned would be the perfect fit. After all, a perfect ‘all-American’ family is a pretty ‘old fashioned’ notion!
Mr. Katō Plays Family by Milena Michiko Flašar; translated by Caroline Froh
What to Eat: Kaiserschmarrn is a traditional Austrian dessert consisting of a fluffy, pancake-like batter containing fruit and nuts and topped with powdered sugar in excess. And it’s perfect for sharing! We imagine that while you and your bookclub sit down to share a big platter of Kaiserschmarrn, Mr. Katō and all of his family, found or otherwise, will be sitting around their own table passing the apple sauce and powdered sugar.
What to Drink: Give a toast to the wonderful novel Mr. Katō Plays Family by raising a glass and sipping on some Glühwein (mulled wine). The word “Glühwein” roughly translates to “glow wine.” A traditional Glühwein typically includes a variety of spices such as cinnamon, clove, and star anise: all perfect ingredients for a holiday soirée!
The Quantum Solution by Eric Van Lustbader
What to Eat: Ryder and her long-time partner, Ben Butler, risk their lives to discover who the true combatants are, racing against the doomsday scenario of all-out war between America and Russia. We think a food with opposing flavors–something both savory and sweet–would make for a perfect pairing. A maple bacon donut would be a great treat to savor while you devour this thriller!
What to Drink: This high-stakes, thrilling, and fast-pasted book definitely packs a serious punch. So what better drink is there to pair with The Quantum Solution than an actual holiday punch?! Test out this quick and easy recipe that’ll have you spreading some good cheer with the season’s signature flavors like cranberry, orange, apple cider, and ginger.
Raw Dog by Jamie Loftus
What to Eat: Raw Dog is a book all about hot dogs (with a healthy dose of travelogue and political commentary). And while a frankfurter might not be the best ingredient to include in a dessert, these adorable No-Bake Twinkie ‘Hot Dogs’ are the next best thing. They’re quick and easy to make (just like real hot dogs are) and perfect to whip up for a holiday gathering. Trust us when we say this cute dessert is a real ‘wiener!’
What to Drink: Hot dogs simply wouldn’t be the magnificent creations they are without the help of the condiments that compliment them. Many people have heated debates about what the best type of hot dog is (a New York dog, a Chicago dog, a Boston Dog; the list goes on!) but we think we can all agree on the fact that any superior hot dog is the one adorned with our favorite condiment sidekicks. So a fun (albeit unique) drink that features an actual condiment is the best option here! Try sippin’ on a pickle martini while you “sleigh” your way through Raw Dog!
