It’s 2014. Taylor Swift and her girl gang rule the world. Blondie is now rocking a straight bob, frequently complemented by her now-signature red lip. Only the die-hard Swifties have listened to (or even heard of) “All Too Well.” Swift became a meme before venturing into pop music with “Shake It Off.” Her fifth album, titled 1989, soon became the first and only platinum-certified album of 2014 — in just one week, at the end of October.
Now, it’s 2023. Taylor Swift still rules the world. She has reclaimed her masters from Scooter Braun. She’s in the middle of a massive tour spanning her 10 Eras, which elicited a record-breaking movie in theaters. The 10-minute version of “All Too Well” is synonymous with autumn. She’s now dating Travis Kelce, an American (crazy, I know) football player. And TSwift is re-releasing 1989, the career-defining, iconic album that proved her as a master of genre-defying songwriting.
To celebrate the release of 1989 (Taylor’s Version), we’ve rounded up a list of snacks, meals, and cocktails that perfectly capture that big city, New Romantic, upbeat nostalgia type of vibe. Here’s how you can dine through the re-release of 1989 in Style (Taylor’s Version).
1. “Welcome to New York” – Cosmopolitan
“Welcome to New York” set the tone for 1989, opening the album with modern beats and synth, and a posh lyrical tone. The song is about the excitement and possibility of a new beginning, and the Cosmopolitan — Carrie Bradshaw-approved-cocktail — fits the vibe perfectly. Vodka, cranberry juice, lime juice, and Cointreau create the Cosmo’s signature bright pink color that reflects the excitement and optimism of the song “Welcome to New York.”
2. “Blank Space” – Red Velvet Cake
“Darling I’m a nightmare, dressed like a daydream.” Red velvet cake is a decadent and luxurious cake that fits the glamorous vibe of the Blank Space music video — which includes Taylor stabbing a cake.
3. “Style” – Champagne
Gone (but never forgotten) are the days of clowning about Style (Taylor’s Version) (featuring Harry Styles) [From The Vault]. Champagne, though, is a decadent and sophisticated bev that never goes out of style. A classic drink that’s often associated with glamor and romance, champagne is known for its fizz — which matches the song’s upbeat and energetic sound with lyrics that are full of life.
4. “Out of the Woods” – Trail Mix
Hit the woods with trail mix, a perfect fit for out of the woods. You can include pretzels to represent a tangled relationship, and the other ingredients to represent the different aspects of love, such as the sweetness (chocolate chips), the bitterness (peanut butter chips), and the unexpectedness (M&M’s). The pretzel rods “turned out to be just trees.”
5. “All You Had to Do Was Stay” – Ice Cream
A classic Taylor Track 5, “All You Had to Stay” hides deep, rueful lyrics of regret and longing behind upbeat pop. Ice cream is a classic comfort food that is often associated with sadness and heartbreak, but is also a great fit for a carefree summer day. Plus, its decadence matches the rich lyrics and intensity of Swift’s emotions.
And, a fun fact: Taylor Swift’s favorite ice cream flavor is cookie dough.
6. “Shake It Off” – Funfetti Cake
Players gonna play, haters gonna hate, and bakers gonna bake. Funfetti cake is a festive cake with bright sprinkles throughout, which matches the positivity and pure fun of 1989’s lead single. Grab the funfetti, and “get down to This. Sick. Beat.”
7. “I Wish You Would” – Tea
Talking about a sleeper hit. “I Wish You Would” is a heartfelt ballad about longing for a past love. It’s a song that’s both nostalgic and hopeful, and, despite its fun beat, evokes longing and melancholy. A warm, comforting cup of tea matches the nostalgic vibes of IWYW, and is a cozy and comforting beverage for a song that’s, TBH, pretty sad.
8. “Bad Blood” – Hot Tamales
The most iconic music video of the 2010s, change my mind. The final scene of Taylor’s girl gang getting ready to take on Arsyn (played by Selena Gomez) with a wall of flames behind them continues to live in my head rent-free.
Known for fiery heat, Hot Tamales are often associated with passion and intensity – making them a perfect match for the feud Taylor sings about during “Bad Blood.”
9. “Wildest Dreams” – Passion Fruit
Just like the song “Wildest Dreams,” passion fruit is, well, passionate. Passion fruit is a sweet and exotic fruit, which matches elements of the original music video and is often associated with intense romances. Plus, it’s not an easy fruit to find, and its luxury matches the elegance of Track 9. “Say you’ll remember me…”eating passion fruit when 1989 TV was released.
10. “How You Get the Girl” – Hershey Kisses
“Pictures in frames of (Hershey’s) Kisses on cheeks.” Kisses are a classic American chocolate candy often associated with love and romance. The sweetness of the chocolate represents the sweetness of the relationship Taylor sings about, while the creamy texture represents the smooth and easy feeling of being in a happy relationship. Plus, the fact that Hershey’s Kisses are often given as a romantic gesture also makes them a good match for the song.
11. “This Love” – Red Wine
Red wine is a classic romantic drink that is often associated with love and passion. The song “This Love” is about a passionate and intense love affair, and the red wine perfectly reflects the passion and intensity of the song’s lyrics.
Plus, it’s one of the more mature songs on the album, and Swift singing about her grown-up love is complemented well by a glass of red.
12. “I Know Places” – St. Germain Gin & Tonic
This take on a G&T is refreshing, floral, and slightly sweet, while “I Know Places” is mysterious and alluring. The gin and elderflower liqueur represent the dark and secretive side of the relationship, while the lemon juice and simple syrup represent the sweet and passionate side. The garnish adds a touch of glamor and mystique, which reflects the song’s lyrics about living a secret life with a lover. *Cassette tape click*
#SpoonTip: Not a fan of St. Germaine? Try this other Taylor-inspired gin cocktail.
13. “Clean” – Sparkling Water
It seems wrong to not include water for a song that uses water as a metaphor for growth and self-love. Sparkling water is a refreshing and hydrating beverage, and the bubbles in the water can be seen as a metaphor for the lightness and optimism of the song “Clean.”
Taylor is apparently obsessed with sparkling water,and told Rolling Stone in 2014 (the year 1989 debuted) she always has a variety of different flavors including black cherry, pomegranate, blueberry, strawberry, key lime, tangerine lime.
14. “Wonderland” – Cake
“Let them eat cake!” Taylor Swift’s “Wonderland” is a dreamy and whimsical pop song, so a cake that is equally whimsical and visually appealing would be a great match. Plus, the song’s fun and playful energy match the nostalgia of a classic birthday cake.
15. “You Are In Love” – Bacon, eggs & toast with hot coffee
Unlike some tracks on 1989 that boast about big, bold, and intense love, this original deluxe track focuses on the steady, intimate love found with a long time partner. “You Are In Love” paints a vivid picture of an intimate relationship, including “coffee at midnight” and “burnt toast on Sundays.” Just like “You Are In Love,” breakfast shared with a partner can be quiet, thoughtful, and romantic.
16. “New Romantics” – Vodka Diet Coke
Once upon a time, I channeled my inner TSwift and ordered her favorite cocktail: a Vodka Diet Coke with lime. The bartender immediately told me that the drink sounded underage, which, IMO, matches “New Romantics” — a song about a new generation of hopeless romantics who are redefining what it means to be in love.
The vodka matches the rebellious spirit of the new romantics Swift sings about, while the Diet Coke represents their modernity.
17. “Slut!” – Hot Chocolate or Grilled Cheese
When asked what she would tell her 19-year-old self for Vogue’s 73 Questions, Taylor Swift warned that she would become “a lightning rod for slut-shaming” in her early 20s. Though we haven’t heard the vault tracks yet, knowing Taylor and the rest of 1989, it’s safe to assume that she’s going to sing an upbeat track with absolutely gut-wrenching lyrics about her experience. Let’s flip the script and go for a food that is not typically associated with sex or sexuality. Instead, listen to “Slut!” while snacking on something that is comforting and nostalgic, like a grilled cheese sandwich or a cup of hot chocolate.
18. “Say Don’t Go” – Chocolate Truffles
“Say Don’t Go” sounds like a plea to a lover to stay, despite troubles in the relationship. I’m sure the lyrics will be full of longing and regret (kind of like “I Wish You Would” or “All You Had To Do Was Stay”) with a bittersweet melody. Chocolate truffles are a decadent and sweet, but also bitter, dessert perfect for indulging in a moment of sadness.
19. “Now That We Don’t Talk” – Sour Candy
Again, I haven’t heard the Vault Tracks, so I’m venturing a guess. “Now That We Don’t Talk” will probably be pretty bittersweet, and sour candy is known for its tart and tangy flavor.
It is a candy that can be both sweet and stimulating while also sour, which could make it a good choice for a song that might address the good and the bad of a former relationship in an energetic song.
20. “Suburban Legends” – Popcorn
Taylor Swift’s song “Suburban Legends” might touch on a city such as NYC or LA where secrets and rumors run rampant. Lean into the drama and opt for popcorn, which is often associated with movies, television, and storytelling. It’s a great fit for a song about mystery and gossip, and is also easily shared with others.
21. “Is It Over Now?” – Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate has a rich and bitter flavor that can be both comforting and melancholic. This duality matches the bittersweet emotions that I’m guessing Blondie will touch on in “Is It Over Now?”, a song that might explore the feelings and loss of a relationship coming to an end.