Please note: This post contains a cocktail recipe featuring alcohol. Must be 21+ to prepare or consume.
Some books ask you to sit quietly with a cup of tea. Others demand something stronger, something that matches the fire and complexity of the story itself.
Georges by Alexandre Dumas is one of those books.
Written in 1843, this lesser-known Dumas novel takes you to Mauritius during French colonial rule. It tells the story of Georges Munier, a wealthy mulatto man who returns home after years of European education. He's polished, brilliant, and burning with quiet rage over the racial humiliation his father endured at the hands of white planters.
This isn't a story you sip through gently. It's bold, layered, and unapologetically complex, just like the cocktail we're pairing it with.
Why the "Mauritian Brew" Works
The Mauritian Brew is a spiced rum espresso martini that pulls directly from the island's history. Mauritius has long been known for its rum production, a legacy tied to the same sugar plantations that form the backdrop of Dumas's novel.
The cocktail mirrors the book's tension: sweet and warming on the surface, with a bite that reminds you of everything simmering underneath. The espresso adds a jolt of clarity, much like Georges himself, who refuses to accept the world as it's been handed to him.
Where a classic espresso martini uses vodka, this version swaps in spiced rum for warmth and depth. The vanilla and spice notes echo the tropical setting, while the rich espresso (made with FB Roasters coffee) grounds the drink in ritual and intention.
This pairing isn't about escape. It's about sitting with discomfort, history, and beauty all at once.
About Georges
If you know Dumas for The Count of Monte Cristo or The Three Musketeers, Georges will surprise you. It's more intimate, more pointed, and deeply personal. Dumas himself was a man of mixed race, and that lived experience flows through every page.
Georges Munier is not a swashbuckler. He's a strategist, a romantic, and a man caught between worlds. He's too "refined" for the colonial elites to dismiss, but his skin color bars him from the acceptance he's earned. His love for Sara de Malmédie, the white fiancée of his greatest rival, adds romance to the story, but the real heart is Georges's fight against the racism embedded in his homeland's social fabric.
The novel doesn't shy away from contradictions. Georges himself owns enslaved people, even as he rails against the prejudice he faces. Dumas doesn't offer tidy answers. He offers a mirror.
You can find Georges at Far From Beale Street, along with other thoughtfully curated titles that challenge, inspire, and make you feel seen.
The Recipe: Mauritian Brew (Spiced Rum Espresso Martini)
Ingredients:
- 2 oz spiced rum (preferably a darker, richer variety)
- 1 oz freshly brewed espresso (cooled slightly, made with FB Roasters Uganda Single Origin)
- ½ oz coffee liqueur (like Kahlúa or Mr. Black)
- ½ oz simple syrup (adjust to taste)
- 3 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Ice
- Optional garnish: 3 coffee beans or a light dusting of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Brew a shot of espresso using your favorite FB Roasters blend and let it cool for a minute or two.
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the spiced rum, cooled espresso, coffee liqueur, simple syrup, and bitters.
- Shake vigorously for 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- Garnish with three coffee beans (representing health, wealth, and happiness) or a pinch of cinnamon.
The result? A drink that's smooth, spiced, and just a little dangerous.
How to Enjoy This Pairing
Pour the cocktail. Settle into your favorite reading spot. Let the first sip wake you up before you crack open the book.
Georges is a novel that rewards slow reading. Dumas builds tension carefully, layering personal vendetta with social critique. The romance is there, but it's not the point. The point is what Georges does with his anger, his brilliance, and his impossible position.
The Mauritian Brew keeps pace with the narrative. It's strong enough to keep you sharp through Dumas's dense prose, but warming enough to carry you through the emotional weight. The spiced rum feels like the heat of Mauritius itself, the sun, the cane fields, the simmering resentment that no amount of refinement can fully cool.
This pairing works best in the evening, when you have time to sit with both the drink and the story. It's not a quick read or a quick sip. It's a ritual.
Where to Get Everything You Need
The Book:
Georges by Alexandre Dumas is available now at Far From Beale Street, Felicia's curated bookshop featuring titles by and about people of the African diaspora. Right now, enjoy 10% off orders of $20 or more with code VAL10 (valid through February 15th), or get 15% off orders of $25+ automatically applied at checkout. Plus, free shipping on all US orders for a limited time.
The Coffee:
All cocktails in this series feature coffee from FB Roasters, Felicia's small-batch roastery. For the Mauritian Brew, we recommend the Uganda Single Origin for its smooth, fruity profile that plays beautifully with spiced rum.
Current Offers:
- VAL10: 10% off orders of $20+ at Far From Beale Street (ends Feb 15th)
- Automatic 15% off orders of $25+ at Far From Beale Street
- Free shipping on all US orders (limited time)
Visit Current Offers for the latest promotions.
Final Thoughts
This pairing isn't about matching flavors as much as it's about matching energy. Georges is a book that asks hard questions. The Mauritian Brew is a cocktail that doesn't apologize for its strength.
Together, they create space for reflection, conversation, and a kind of quiet defiance. You deserve a reading ritual that feels intentional, one that honors both the pleasure of a great drink and the power of a great story.
So tonight, make the cocktail. Open the book. Let Dumas remind you that some stories are worth the fire.
Reminder: This cocktail contains alcohol and is intended for readers 21 and older. Please enjoy responsibly.
