Snacks and literary drinks for your book club

In the words of Virginia Woolf, "one cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well." We are similarly of the opinion that good food is an ideal (if not essential) accompaniment to a great book club meeting, so we've turned to our friends at The Happy Foodie, the home of Penguin's cookery content, for some recipe inspiration.

Whether you're looking to step up your hosting game or bring something homemade to the potluck, these refreshments are simple to make, travel well, and are perfect for grazing and sipping as the bookish conversation flows.

Savory snacks

Charcuterie Board with Honeyed Figs and Chilli-glazed Grapes

Nothing says "host with the most" quite like an impressive charcuterie board. Colourful and easy to assemble, this version by beloved TV chef Ainsley Harriott is customisable and features some great inventive touches.

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Air Fryer Goat's Cheese and Caramelised Onion Tarts

These vegetarian savoury tarts are an easy yet sophisticated option for canapés. Better still, they only require five ingredients and a few minutes in the air fryer to make.

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Yotam Ottolenghi's Burnt Aubergine with Tahini

Who better to turn to for an homemade dip recipe than Ottolenghi? Filled with smoky, fresh, and sweet flavours, this burnt aubergine dip is versatile and pairs perfectly with a plate of raw vegetables or crispy flatbread.

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Ottolenghi's Bridget Jones's Pan-fried Salmon with Pine Nut Salsa

If you want to try making something more ambitious for your book club, there's another Ottolenghi recipe to try, this time with a literary tie-in. This salmon recipe is an homage to the film adaptation of Bridget Jones’s Baby, when Patrick Dempsey's character Jack, references a (then entirely fictional) Ottolenghi salmon dish.

If you want something bite-sized to go with your glass of wine then cut the salmon into bite-size cubes before pan-frying and pop the finished product on a cracker or blini to turn it into a book club-ready nibble.

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Sweets and treats

Fitwaffle's Cookie Dough Brownies Recipe

Can't decide between cookies and brownies? Eloise Head, better known as the Instagram sensation Fitwaffle, has combined both to create one truly indulgent sweet treat.

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Mary Berry’s Fruit Kebab With Lemon Dip

Mary Berry’s Fruit Kebab With Lemon Dip

For a simple yet refreshing sweet option, try these strawberry and tropical fruit skewers from Mary Berry, complete with a zesty lemon, mint, and Greek yoghurt dip.

Get the recipe here

Cocktails and mocktails

The Persephone

The Persephone

Infusing prosecco with homemade rose syrup and taking inspiration from Greek mythology, this pomegranate-topped sparkling cocktail is a drink fit for the gods (and goddesses).

Get the recipe here

Death in Venice

As far as literary tie-ins go, this cocktail created by alchemist Tony Conigliaro hits the spot. Not only does it happen to share its name with a 1912 novella by German writer Thomas Mann, this aperitivo is something of a cross between an Italian spritz and Death in the Afternoon, the (far more potent) champagne-and-absinthe cocktail invented by Ernest Hemingway.

Get the recipe here

Sherbet Fizz Mocktail

For a dose of fun non-alcoholic fizz, look no further than this bright and zesty mocktail. All you need to make it at home is soda water sugar, and a few delicious citrus fruits which will give you that nostalgic sherbet fizz taste.