From Endings to Beginnings: Toasting “The Wedding People” with the Obituary Cocktail.
In Allison Espach’s charming novel The Wedding People, two women forge an unlikely bond when one arrives at a swanky Newport, Rhode Island hotel in a green dress and gold heels, no suitcase in hand, with personal plans that threaten to derail a bridezilla’s perfectly planned wedding weekend. What follows is a darkly funny and tender exploration of unexpected friendship, self-discovery, and the surprising ways that strangers can help other people go after what they really want.
Espach strikes a delicate balance between the story’s darker moments and its humor, creating a sharp, witty narrative filled with emotionally resonant characters. Phoebe and Lila could have been clichés, but instead, they feel fully human, carrying the weight of their pasts while stumbling toward a brighter, more authentic future. The result is an entertaining and poignant story about friendship and fresh starts.
The Obituary cocktail is a fitting match for this novel; it takes the traditional gin martini and adds a hint of absinthe, mirroring the characters’ efforts to transform their lives from familiar patterns into something new. Its name might sound dark, but like the novel, it’s more about the endings that open the door to new beginnings. Complex and thought-provoking, it’s a creation to savor—just like The Wedding People.
Drink Instructions:
Serves: 1
Ingredients:
2 3/4 ounces gin (recommended: London Dry)
1/2 ounce dry vermouth
6 dashes absinthe
Garnish:
A strip of lemon peel (twist), expressed and discarded
Instructions:
Pour the gin, dry vermouth, and absinthe into a mixing glass.
Add plenty of ice and stir gently for about 20–30 seconds to chill and slightly dilute the mixture. You don’t want to bruise the gin.
Strain into a well-chilled Martini glass.
Express the oils from a lemon twist over the surface of the drink, then discard the twist.
Serve immediately and savor the spirit-forward complexity of this classic cocktail.
