8. How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

Kayla and Taylor discuss the themes and major beats of Imbolo Mbue’s 2021 novel How Beautiful We Were. Topics include gender roles, corrupt governments, and the realities of starting a revolution.

This week’s drink: Folere Spritzer - Cameroon Hibiscus Ice Tea (via AFROVITALITYEATS)

INGREDIENTS

Folere:

1 medium pineapple

2 cups dried hibiscus sepals (roselle)

3 quarts water

Simple Syrup:

1 cup sugar

1 cup water

Prosecco or Champagne

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Thoroughly wash and peel pineapple. Cut up pineapple flesh into quarter inch chunks. Combine pineapple peels, 1 cup of the pineapple chunks and water in a large pot. Bring to a rapid boil and cook for 10 minutes.

2. Add in hibiscus and continue boiling for another 10 minutes. Remove from heat, cover and let cool overnight ( At least 7 hours).

3. Strain with a sieve at least two times to remove all pineapple debris. To make simple syrup, combine sugar and water in a pot, heat and stir until sugar completely dissolves. Cool and add into folere. Using a funnel transfer into bottles, cap and chill for about two hours.

4. Enjoy cold over ice and add your favorite bubbly!

Current Reads and Recommendations:

Behold the Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue

The Paris Bookseller by Kerri Maher

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Join us next time as we discuss The Old Man and the Sea by Ernest Hemingway

Here is the cocktail recipe for next week’s episode if you want to drink along with us!

Hemingway Daiquiri via winemag.com

INGREDIENTS

2 ounces white rum

¾ ounce lime juice

½ ounce Maraschino liqueur

½ ounce ruby red grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)

Lime wedge (for garnish)

DIRECTIONS

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled. Double-strain into a coup glass. Garnish with lime wedge.