Book club discussion guide
Ideas for themed food and drink
Alcohol of many types was popular, from applejack to whiskey. I suggest these two books as a guide (you can probably get them from your local library)
- Punch: The Delights (and Dangers) of the Flowing Bowl by David Wondrich
- Imbibe!: From Absinthe Cocktail to Whiskey Smash, a Salute in Stories and Drinks to “Professor” Jerry Thomas, Pioneer of the American Bar by David Wondrich
This one also looks like fun: How to Get Tipsy in the Victorian Style: Authentic 19th Century Beer, Wine and Cocktail Recipes
General guides to food of Victorian America include:
- Savory Suppers and Fashionable Feasts: Dining in Victorian America
- Victorian Sweets: Authentic Treats, Recipes, and Customs from America’s Bygone Era
- A Year of Victorian Puddings: Traditional Tarts, Pies and Puddings for Every Day of the Year
- Delicacies in Proportion: An Anecdotal History of White House Entertaining 1850-1901 (especially appropriate since Victoria ran for the White House)
If you want to go all-out and have a dinner party like the ones Victoria would have hosted, consult this article: “Hosting a Fashionable Victorian Dinner Party.”
Music
- See the book’s playlist
- Patriotic music such as The Star Spangled Banner, Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the works of John Philip Sousa – the type of music we traditionally play on the Fourth of July
- List of popular music in the 19th century
- This site also lists types of music popular during the 18th and 19th centuries