Starbucks is one of my favorite things ever, and is something I think I am beginning to look forward to a little too much.
Writing this while I am currently drinking my Nitro cold brew with sugar free vanilla syrup and a splash of almond milk, I began to think of what drink the characters would be and why.
Tom screams an iced americano. Made with shots of espresso roast over ice and water. An iced americano in and of itself is something that does not seem enjoyable in the slightest. In the same way, Tom is not enjoyable in the slightest. It is very plain, and needs something to dress it up to make it more appealing. Tom is very much like this, plain and insecure, and uses other woman and abusive tactics to “dress himself up” and make himself feel and seem better than he is—in his eyes at least. This drink is cold, intimidating, and unappealing, just like Tom Buchanan.
On the complete opposite note, Jordan is an iced black tea. Tea is on the healthier side because of its health benefits and generally low in caffeine compared to coffee. Since Jordan is an athlete, this would be the perfect drink that represents her. We do not get to learn too much about Jordan as we do the other characters, so I chose not to make her too intricate of a drink, just one that is neutral and can be pretty versatile.
Daisy is the physical embodiment of a strawberry açaí refresher with lemonade (honorable mention for a pink drink). This drink everyone is familiar with and can recognize it from a mile away, just like Daisy and her charm. I can not think of anyone I know that does not like this drink. This drink will never go out of fashion and I think Daisy is the same. She, just like the drink, is sweet and seems to leave you with wanting more (in Nick’s point of view at least).
Gatsby is definitely a coffee drink. He is smooth and rich. For that reason, I think he would be a brown sugar oat milk shaken espresso—and a venti too. Then, I would add cold foam and an extra shot of espresso too. Coming in at around $10, it is an overpriced drink (that I am sad to admit I treat myself to often), and Gatsby also spent a lot of money on his parties and outward projection of himself. He cared very much about his status and was relatively new to having wealth. This drink is also relatively new to the world of the Starbucks menu, and very intricate, just like Gatsby.
Lastly, Nick is a vanilla bean frappe. This drink is very plain and is a safe choice for literally anyone, except, if you are allergic to vanilla of course. Nick is in the same light, he seems to be a regular, “honest” man. He freely judges others without thinking out of habit for their flaws without acknowledgement of his own. He seems to think he is safe from judgement of the events in the novel because he is watching from a distance. This drink is also seen as a safety net, but it has its own flaws, like perhaps the sugar intake, or even just how plain it is. Nick does not see his own shortcomings as well.