15. Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Charles Yu’s 2020 novel Interior Chinatown. Topics include Hollywood satire, Asian American representation, and what is actually going on in this novel…This week’s drink: Lychee Margarita-Tini (name taken from the novel, recipe put together by our very own Taylor!INGREDIENTS:1.5 - 2 oz vodka.25 oz orange liqueur½ TB lychee syrup; more or less depending on desired sweetness (store bought or make your own - see below)Juice from ½ limeSalt (for glass rim)Lychees for garnish (optional)INSTRUCTIONS:In a shaker with ice, combine the vodka, orange liqueur, lychee syrup, and lime juice. Shake well until chilled.To make the lychee syrup: Boil 1 can of lychee fruit (retaining juice if desired) with equal parts water and sugar - ½ to 1 cup each. Boil for 10 minutes, pressing down on lychees to release juice. Store in a container or bottle.Pour into a martini glass with a salted rim. Add lychees and lime for garnishCurrent Reads and Recommendations:Nothing to report this week!Follow us on Instagram @literatureandlibationspod.Visit our website: literatureandlibationspod.com to submit feedback, questions, or your own takes on what we are reading. You can also see what we are reading for future episodes! You can email us at [email protected] leave us a review and/or rating! It really helps others find our podcast…and it makes us happy!Purchase books via bookshop.org or check them out from your local public library. Join us next time as we discuss The Price of Salt (or Carol) by Patricia HighsmithHere is the cocktail recipe for the upcoming episode if you want to drink along with us!Sloe Gin Fizz via liquor.comINGREDIENTS1 ½ oz sloe gin1 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed¾ oz simple syrupClub soda, to topGarnish: lemon wedge, cherryINSTRUCTIONSAdd the sloe gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker with ice, and shake until well-chilledFill a highball or Collins glass with ice and strain the contents of the shaker into the glassTop with club sodaGarnish with a lemon wedge and a cherry