Sips & Sites & Bites

If you’ve ever curled up with a good book and thought, this chapter could use a cocktail, then Elizabeth Sagan and Sother Teague’s new release, Get Lit: Cocktails That Bring Your Favorite Books to Life, might just be your next must-have for the bar cart. Hitting shelves Sept. 9th, this little hardcover packs a lot of flavor into its compact 5.25 x 7.5 frame.

The premise is delightfully simple: pair 50 original cocktail recipes (plus a solid lineup of mocktails) with the novels, characters, and tropes that inspire them. But what makes it shine is the execution. Sagan, a powerhouse in the book-influencer world, brings the storytelling charm, while Teague … legendary bartender and bitters wizard behind NYC’s Amor y Amargo … ensures the drinks are both inventive and doable for the home mixologist.

Take, for instance, a recipe like Fiery Goblets for Mad Queens and Wicked Kings. It’s not just a cheeky nod to fantasy epics, it’s a fully realized cocktail you can whip up, complete with a lush photo that makes you want to raise your glass and whisper, “dracarys.” Or the cleverly titled Virgin Brews for (Mostly) Virgin Tropes … mocktails that wink at readers while still delivering something delicious for the glass.

Each drink comes with a mini synopsis that grounds the recipe in the bookish world it sprang from. It’s part literary companion, part bartending guide, and fully a celebration of the joy that comes when stories and spirits collide. Even better, there are tips for setting up a home bar, making the book accessible whether you’re mixing with a fully stocked shelf or just a few bottles.

What makes Get Lit particularly fun is that it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. The recipes aren’t just themed drinks slapped with clever names, they’re thoughtful creations designed to evoke the vibe of the stories they honor. Teague’s expertise ensures balance and flavor, while Sagan’s voice keeps everything infused with warmth and wit.

Whether you’re a fantasy fanatic, a romance reader, or just someone who likes the idea of sipping a custom drink while flipping pages, this book feels like an invitation to make reading a little more festive. Honestly, it’s hard not to imagine book clubs everywhere adopting Get Lit as their new secret weapon … because what makes a heated debate over plot twists better? A cocktail designed for the occasion.

In short, Get Lit delivers on its promise: it raises a glass to great stories while giving you something exciting to pour into your own. Cheers to that.