Tipsy Tuesday: Famous bars in Literature

Real places have inspired some of the the greatest literary works in history. From entire cities to restaurants and bars, setting some of our favorite fictional books in very non-fictional places.

Continuing our love for all things Books&Bubbly, we take a look at famous bars and restaurants in literature and first up in our series is a location that most of us have heard of through our childhood fictional bestie, Eloise.

PALM COURT AT THE PLAZA HOTEL

Where is it: Located in the heart of New York City, Midtown Manhattan

Why?: Most of us were first introduced to the Plaza Hotel as the home of our beloved Elementary school fictional character, Eloise. Through her extravagant lifestyle, we fell in love with the thought of living in a luxury hotel and going on adventures like her. 

However, the Palm Court is regarded as a symbol of the Roaring Twenties and hosted literary royalty, the Fantastic Fitzgeralds- F. Scott and Zelda. Fitzgerald frequented the Plaza Hotel so much that he even set a famous scene from The Great Gatsby there. 

What to drink there: Indulge in a glass of Champagne and take in the luxury and history that is encapsulated in the breathtaking hotel.

What else?: If you visit, be sure to take a photo in front of the hotel's massive fountain. Legend has it that F. Scott Fitzgerald once plunged in the fountain, fully clothed and fully inebriated as well! (I bet his Instagram photos would've been entertaining!)

Tipsy Tuesdays: What the Author drank

Writers have long been attributed to having a good cocktail to help them write. From the classics to our contemporary authors, each have a signature libation of choice to lubricate their literary process.

In our first installment of What the Author drank, we spotlight the creator of the eternal happy hour, Ernest Hemingway. 

Hemingway penned some of the greatest novels in literary history including The Old Man and The sea, The Sun Also Rises and A Moveable feast. 

His love for drinking, however, led him to write his memoir To Have and Have another in which he revealed that he never drank while writing and due to his diabetic condition, ordered his mojitos and absinthe without sugar.

Drink like Hemingway

Ernest enjoyed many libations in his time but, a dry martini rang supreme on his list. 

What you need

• Chilled martini glass ( the colder, the better)
• 3/4 oz Tanqueray gin
• 1/8 oz Noilly Prat Vermouth
• frozen Spanish onions or garlic onion for garnish

"Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut."- Ernest Hemingway

My first question at any bar is "Do you have St Germain Liquor?" and a St. Germain Cocktail always does the trick for me. 

What is your favorite go-to drink? 

Tipsy Tuesdays: Gadgets

Tuesdays; the first real day of the work week and potentially the first that makes you realize the weekend is still so far away. 

Putting the Bubbly in Books&Bubbly, each Tuesday will focus on the tipsy side of things whether it be a cocktail recipe, tool or fun fact to make you more savvy around the libations.

We start off our series with a non-alcoholic treat yet a necessary pairing when it comes to reading: tea. 

Nothing goes together better than a good book and warm mug of tea. 

Novel Teas feature quotes from your favorite novels and the authors who wrote them. 

What's your favorite tea to enjoy with a good read? 

Tipsy Tuesdays: Low-Cal Cocktails

January is synonymous with optimism, goals and motivation. Some (including myself) are resolving to eat healthier and lose unwanted weight.

Check out some tips on choosing  low calorie options to enjoy sparingly during your weight loss journey.

FIRST

Choose a liquor that is clear and not infused with sugar. In other words, veer clear from rum but sticking to Vodka or Gin works well.

NEXT

add a mixer that is not loaded with sugary syrups. If you are at a bar or restaurant, ask for soda water. At home, you have a better selection of choosing an non-sugary mixer such as St. Croix sparkling water.

FINALLY

Add some garnish! Muddle in some cucumber and mint or add plenty of lime.


Also, is it just me or is that Shakira/Rhianna colab a surefire song to get you dancing? I love it.



My preferred low-cal option while dieting is Vodka+Soda water or regular water + LOTS of limes. 
What's yours?

Tipsy Tuesdays: Countdown with Champagne

Bubbly is known and loved in many languages. Whether you call it Champagne, Cava or Prosecco, the effervescent treat is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion.

Celebrate New Year's Eve by remixing your bubbly with these fun, one-ingredient combinations curated by some of the B&B book club members and fun song to get you dancing!

• Champagne+ Peach schnapps (suggested by Jonathan)
• Champagne+ Sparkling Apple Cider (suggested by Cristina)
• Champagne+Pomegranate juice
• Champagne+Mango juice
• Champagne+Canada Dry Cranberry flavored ginger ale

And you can't sip on bubbly without a modern day remix of the Roaring 20s