I am currently enthralled in the action that has been my experience of reading the Nexus. I loved the first book and am loving this one, but more on that after these insightful and entertaining thoughts, from Nexus author, Tyrean Martinson, pertaining to “space brews.”
~
If you enjoy science fiction, you might have noticed a tendency for writers to give a unique twist to foods and beverages. Doing this can provide context for character development, a way to highlight social issues, plot twist moments, and detailed world-building. In this post, I want to give a quick summary of notable science fiction drinks from notable science fiction universes. I find it fascinating the authors and creators of these worlds took the time to create detailed and fun beverages for their characters to enjoy. I have posted a bit previously about this for my Nexus Book Party Celebration, so I will mention some of those posts here.
From the multi-verse of stories:
Klah is a coffee-like beverage from Anne McCaffrey’s Pern Universe, most notably mentioned in The Harper Hall Series. I did a short post about this comforting beverage at Lynda Young’s blog.
The Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster from Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams is a mind-bending drink I posted about at Patricia Josephine’s Blog.
From the Dune Series by Frank Herbert: Spice beer is an alcoholic beverage made with the spice melange. Spice melange gives long life, vitality, and heightened awareness and even prescience in some. One of the reasons I think the whole “spice” concept works in the Dune series is that it takes a familiar word and gives it new and interesting definitions.
From Firefly, Mudder’s Milk is “all the protein, vitamins and carbs of your grandma’s best turkey dinner, plus 15 percent alcohol.” This notable drink from Firefly, the way it was mentioned, and especially in the Jayneston episode, I thought was both funny and clever.
From the Babylon Five Universe:
Bor’Kaan is a potent Drazi alcoholic drink beverage. Human can only safely drink Bor’Kann after first taking an alcohol blocker.
Brivari is a Centauri alcoholic drink and used for some celebratory occasions.
Orcha Juice is a Markab drink blended from a mix of fruit juices, mostly venda juice and something similar to Earth ginger ale. It was a favourite of Dr. Franklin.
Not-so-strange: Shirley Temple is a non-alcoholic Earth cocktail enjoyed by Vir.
If you aren’t familiar with the Babylon Five Universe, I recommend finding it on Netflix or at your local library. A five-year series planned and plotted out before it’s beginning, this series may start out feeling a bit clunky on the sound stage, but by the middle of the first season, it’s hard not to be hooked on the intrigue and drama of this series about a unique space station with truly creative aliens and humans interacting with one another in the hopes of either peace or profit.
Notable drinks from the Star Wars Universe:
Blue Milk has non-alcoholic and alcoholic varieties. It is Bantha milk in its original form, but it can be created into Blue Milk Coolers, the alcoholic version. There are fan pages dedicated to this drink.
Thala-Siren Milk aka the Green Milk Luke guzzles in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Many other drinks that Star Wars fandoms have multi-pages set aside for them. The Star Wars universe takes its authenticity in world-building seriously at a highly detailed level.
Notable drinks from the Star Trek Universe:
Romulan Ale is a famous drink with political ramifications, which I explain in a post at Alex J. Cavanaugh’s blog.
Kanar is the Cardassian liquor of choice.
Raktajino is played off as simple “Klingon coffee,” but it may have a kick.
Aldeberan Whiskey is a drink Data poured for Scotty when he found himself alive one generation later in the fan favorite episode “Relics.”
Tea, Earl Gray, Hot – Captain Picard’s favorite beverage. Sure it isn’t really a strange brew, but I think it’s worth mentioning as a show favorite.
Like Star Wars, Star Trek has many dedicated fan pages to favorite foods and beverages.
In homage to all of these greatly detailed and fun science fiction universes, I created my own coffee and tea like beverage called awak for The Rayatana Series. I think it’s fun to include these kinds of details for readers who enjoy getting a taste of fictional worlds.
If you’re interested in the way Food and Beverages can play a role in fiction writing, check out these posts:
The Role of Food and Beverage, Part 1: Comfort
The Role of Food and Beverage, Part 2: Social Issues
The Role of Food and Beverage, Part 3: Danger
~
This post contains affiliate links. If you click through to make a purchase, I may make a small commission at no additional cost to you. Any amount I make goes towards my dream to host a book fair in Hampton Roads, VA. Please see my About page for more details. Thank you for your support.
~
Amaya is supposed to bring peace to the galaxy. Which is tough when she’s being held for crimes against the Neutral Zone. Her imprisonment is on her own ship with her own crew. But close quarters create tension.
Honestly, her role as Rayatana is a mess.
She may never get to use her powers for anything good. Not if her teacher continues to keep secrets, and not if her powers keep harming others. Putting her mother in a coma should put her in prison, but she has a mission. She wants to bring peace to her people. She needs to become the Rayatana.
Find it here:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon AUS |Amazon Canada
Smashwords | Apple | Kobo | Goodreads | Bookbub
I just finished Nexux yesterday as I was putting this post together. I hope to have my review up for it very soon. In the meantime, feel free to check my review of the first book in the series.
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords #blacklivesmatter
A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in over fifty anthologies and magazines in addition to her collections. Her nonfiction title, The Business of Short Stories, is available now and her debut urban fantasy novel is releasing March 2024. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking through the wilds of
