Top 5 Gin + Tonics for The Shadow of the Wind
“The Shadow of the Wind” by Carlos Ruiz Zafrón is the first book of the series The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. That series title alone had me feeling love at first page turn. And it just got better as I continued reading.
This story is set in Barcelona, Spain in 1945 (just after the Spanish Civil War ends) and it is written like a movie projecting in your dome. Choice words, ambiance, and mental/visual effects all the time. The main character, Daniel Sempere, is the son of a book dealer and his father takes him to a hidden library called The Cemetery of Forgotten Books. According to tradition, each person who is allowed into this secret library must select one book and protect it for life - like a marraige, but more serious. Daniel chooses The Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax and thus starts the story within the story and the adventure in finding out who is attempting to destroy all of Carax's books. This is a winding look into love, obsession, despair, madness, mystery, and many, many secrets.
I can think of nothing that would go better with such a twisting-turning masterpiece set in Barcelona then a solid Gin + Tonic. In honor of the setting of the book, here are the top 5 Gin + Tonics that would have you swimming to the bottom of the glass as you turn the pages of this book. (Published by Penguin).
Photo from Imbibe Magazine
Strawberries + Old Tom Gin + Tonic
Barcelona is hot in the summer and nothing helps you cool off more then some strawberries and gin. Found on Imbibe Magazine’s website, this drink originally comes from Sable Kitchen & Bar in Chicago. You will need the following to make this Spanish inspired drink, but check out the link for full directions.
- 2 oz. Old Tom Gin
- 1 6.8-oz. bottle tonic water (Sable uses Fever-Tree Indian Tonic)
- Garnish: fresh lime, 2 fresh strawberries
Photo from Kitchen
Cucumber Rosemary Gin + Tonic
For this bold taste of Hendricks’s with a hint of rosemary you will need cucumber, lime, rosemary, Hendrick’s Gin, Tonic water (Q or Fever Tree is recommended), and ice. Take a look at the recipe and see if it will compliment your reading.
Photo from Food 52
Grapefruit Tarragon Gin + Tonic
Get a little adventurous with your G+T by taking Food 52’s recipe and mixing yourself up this delicious drink. The beautiful pink grapefruit and the greens of the tarragon will play on your tongue until the last pages of your book.
Photo from The Sweetest Occasion
St. Germain Gin + Tonic
A bit on the sweet side, but maybe your reader taste buds need some sweet stuff as fuel to help your along on your adventure with Daniel and The Shadow of the Wind. Grab yourself the ingredients and mix up this crisp refreshing cocktail.
- 1 oz of St Germain
1-1/2 oz of gin
3 – 4 oz of Tonic water
Fresh lime
- Ice
Photo from Citadelle Gin
Orangeraie Gin + Tonic
This was created by the Candelari Cocktail Bar team in Paris, France for Citadelle Gin. It is light, but creative and a very subtle taste profile due to the orange blossom water and Lillet Blanc. You will need:
- 5CL Citadelle Gin
0.5CL Orange Blossom water
1.5CL Lillet Blanc
10CL Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic
Serve in a big G+T glass and garnish with a Pansy flower.
If you are among the very lucky who are able to read this while in Barcelona, be sure to take The Shadow of the Wind walking tour. Immerse yourself into Sempere's world and listen to The Shadow of the Wind soundtrack while wandering around the Gothic Quarter and meandering down Las Ramblas, but be sure to bring your G+T along for the ride.
“Every book, every volume you see here, has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens.”
