“Life is to be lived, not controlled, and humanity is won by continuing to play in face of certain defeat.” ─ Ralph Ellison
On this day in 1953, Ralph Ellison won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction for his novel, Invisible Man, a story about a man from the American South who moves to Harlem.
Ellison examined the contrasts between racism in the Deep South and racism in the North and its effect on Black Americans through educated and articulate characters. He also covered controversial issues such as incest and communism that were risky topics in the early 50s. Invisible Man is considered one of the best novels of the 20th century.
Raised in Oklahoma, Ralph Ellison made his way to New York during the Harlem Renaissance in the 1930s. He received multiple awards including President’s Medals from Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan and an honorary Doctorate from Harvard University. His novel Juneteenth was edited and published posthumously in 1999.
Music Du Jour: The Sound of Harlem Renaissance playlist
Films Du Jour:
Ralph Ellison did not believe that Invisible Man would translate properly to the screen. He stipulated in his will that no dramatic adaptations would be permitted as long as his wife survived him. She died in 2005. To date, there is no cinematic adaptation of Ellison’s first novel.
- Ralph Ellison an American Journey
- Ralph Ellison: Invisible Man Black History Doc
- How the Tulsa Race Massacre Began
- Lovecraft Country (2020)
- Miss Juneteenth (2020)
- Watchmen Series (2019)
- The Cotton Club (1984)
- Native Son (2019)
- Native Son (1986)
- Brother to Brother (2004)
- Stompin’ at the Savoy (1992)
Here are 10 things about Ellison you didn’t know
Snacks du Jour: Ellison’s “holy trinity of righteous cuisine“ was cornbread, buttermilk, and mustard greens.
Cocktail Du Jour – The Ellison
This recipe was created by Charles Hardwick, the beverage director at Blue Owl in NYC, and a Ralph Ellison fan who said, “I’ve never served a drink with broader appeal.”
- 5 oz gin, preferably Hendrick’s
- 75 oz lime juice
- 5 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 4 or 5 mint leaves
- 6 thin slices of cucumber
Muddle the lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and 3 of the cucumber slices at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the gin and bitters. Fill with ice. Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the remaining three cucumber slices.
Mocktail Du Jour – The Ellison Mocktail
- 5 oz non-alcoholic gin
- 75 oz lime juice
- 5 oz simple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 4 or 5 mint leaves
- 6 thin slices of cucumber
Muddle the lime juice, simple syrup, mint leaves, and 3 of the cucumber slices at the bottom of a cocktail shaker. Add the non-alcoholic gin and bitters. Fill with ice. Shake until chilled, about 15 seconds. Fine strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with the remaining three cucumber slices.
Beer Du Jour
Madden’s No.1 beer by Superior Bathhouse Brewery and Distillery in Hot Springs, AR, is brewed from the same recipe that was used by gangster Owney Madden during Prohibition and served at Harlem’s Cotton Club. When Prohibition ended in 1933, the first popular commercial beers included Pilsners, Munich Lagers, and Dortmunders. Also look for Prohibition Brewing Company Labels.
Wine Du Jour
Brotherhood Winery in New York is America’s oldest winery, starting in 1832, that has continually been in business. During Prohibition they made sacramental wine to stay afloat.
One of the most popular varietals in America immediately following the end of Prohibition was Zinfandel, which is still widely available today.
Use freshly squeezed citrus in your cocktails and mocktails when called for – It makes such a difference! Here’s a reliable and inexpensive juicer.
Get the Beverage Du Jour blog by email so you always know when and how to celebrate with us.
Celebrated too hard? Find your personal hangover fix with our bestselling Amazon book Hangover Remedies from Around the World.
© 2023, The Beverage Du Jour, TRH Online, LLC. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Photo credit: “InvisibleMan_Huntington_04” by Huntington Theatre Company is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
