In this week’s episode, Kayla and Taylor discuss Betty Smith’s 1943 novel A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Topics include horrible Brooklyn bits, elusive cocktail ingredients, the incredible detail and specificity of the characters and events in this book, how relatable people are even 100+ years later, the current real estate situation in Brooklyn, class prejudice, education as a means to improve your life, Katie and Johnny as people and parents, and singing the praises of Francie Nolan. Plus, we talk about the state of streaming, movies, and connectivity today.

This week’s drink: Brooklyn via liquor.com

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 oz rye whiskey
• 1 oz dry vermouth
• 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur
• 1/4 oz Amer Picon (or 1/4 ounce Bigallet China-China Amer or 2 dashes Angostura bitters)
• Garnish: Luxardo maraschino cherry

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Add the rye whiskey, dry vermouth, maraschino liqueur and Amer Picon (or substitute) into a mixing glass with ice and stir until well-chilled.
2. Strain into a chilled coupe glass.
3. Garnish with a skewered maraschino cherry.

Current/recommended reads, links, etc.:

The Boxcar Librarian by Brianna Labuskes

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Join us next time as we read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn.