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Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol
“At last, the feminist history of booze we’ve been waiting for!” —Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist
From Los Angeles Times bestselling author Mallory O’Meara comes a lively and engrossing feminist history of women drinking through the ages
Strawberry daiquiris. Skinny martinis. Vodka sodas with lime. These are the cocktails that come in sleek-stemmed glasses, bright colors and fruity flavors—these are the Girly Drinks.
From the earliest days of civilization, alcohol has been at the center of social rituals and cultures worldwide. But when exactly did drinking become a gendered act? And why have bars long been considered “places for men” when, without women, they might not even exist?
With whip-smart insight and boundless curiosity, Girly Drinks unveils an entire untold history of the female distillers, drinkers and brewers who have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol, from ancient Sumerian beer goddess Ninkasi to iconic 1920s bartender Ada Coleman. Filling a crucial gap in culinary history, O’Meara dismantles the long-standing patriarchal traditions at the heart of these very drinking cultures, in the hope that readers everywhere can look to each celebrated woman in this book—and proudly have what she’s having.
From Los Angeles Times bestselling author Mallory O’Meara comes a lively and engrossing feminist history of women drinking through the ages
Strawberry daiquiris. Skinny martinis. Vodka sodas with lime. These are the cocktails that come in sleek-stemmed glasses, bright colors and fruity flavors—these are the Girly Drinks.
From the earliest days of civilization, alcohol has been at the center of social rituals and cultures worldwide. But when exactly did drinking become a gendered act? And why have bars long been considered “places for men” when, without women, they might not even exist?
With whip-smart insight and boundless curiosity, Girly Drinks unveils an entire untold history of the female distillers, drinkers and brewers who have played a vital role in the creation and consumption of alcohol, from ancient Sumerian beer goddess Ninkasi to iconic 1920s bartender Ada Coleman. Filling a crucial gap in culinary history, O’Meara dismantles the long-standing patriarchal traditions at the heart of these very drinking cultures, in the hope that readers everywhere can look to each celebrated woman in this book—and proudly have what she’s having.
384 pages, Hardcover
First published October 19, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 643 reviews
October 21, 2021
I am not sure what I expected from this book, probably a look at how and what alcohol women have consumed over the years. Even though it is subtitled "A World History of Women and Alcohol" I guess I wasn't expecting it to be as in depth and fascinating as it turned out to be. This is so much a history of the contributions of various women to the development and business of alcohol rather than trends, although some of those are included as well.
The author starts with "The Dawn of Time" and the discovery of alcohol, and progresses forward through time and various women including (among others) Cleopatra, Catherine the Great's contribution to the empire of vodka, Lucha Reyes in the 30s and 40s with tequila, and Julie Reiner in the 2000s, ending in the present time with Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela's studies and brewing science.
The author does also touch on the progression of female drinking trends and some of the triumphs and drawbacks of these trends. This is a fascinating book overall and almost read like a book of short stories. I barely put it down until I was finished because it is approachable, yet taught me a great deal about many women I had either never heard of before or had no idea their contributions in the history of alcohol.
I highly recommend this intriguing book, it reminds me why I should pick up non-fiction a bit more often, because I'm always surprised at what I learn.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
The author starts with "The Dawn of Time" and the discovery of alcohol, and progresses forward through time and various women including (among others) Cleopatra, Catherine the Great's contribution to the empire of vodka, Lucha Reyes in the 30s and 40s with tequila, and Julie Reiner in the 2000s, ending in the present time with Apiwe Nxusani-Mawela's studies and brewing science.
The author does also touch on the progression of female drinking trends and some of the triumphs and drawbacks of these trends. This is a fascinating book overall and almost read like a book of short stories. I barely put it down until I was finished because it is approachable, yet taught me a great deal about many women I had either never heard of before or had no idea their contributions in the history of alcohol.
I highly recommend this intriguing book, it reminds me why I should pick up non-fiction a bit more often, because I'm always surprised at what I learn.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
December 1, 2021
I picked this up solely because I love Mallory, her podcast Reading Glasses, and her writing voice—and it turned out to be an unexpected treat!
In this fascinating, irreverent, whip-smart history, she highlights the female distillers, drinkers, and brewers who shaped alcohol consumption as we know it today. I had no idea how much I didn't know, all the way from Cleopatra to the history being made at a bar literally right down the street from me (I live in Bourbon country, so that's not quite as bizarre as it sounds).
I listened to the audiobook, which Mallory narrates herself, and I HIGHLY recommend the book in this format. (Thank you, Mallory, for reading the acknowledgements as well. Few narrators do but hers are exceptional, and I'm so glad I got to hear them in her voice.)
As featured in Modern Mrs Darcy's 16 giftable books for every reader.
In this fascinating, irreverent, whip-smart history, she highlights the female distillers, drinkers, and brewers who shaped alcohol consumption as we know it today. I had no idea how much I didn't know, all the way from Cleopatra to the history being made at a bar literally right down the street from me (I live in Bourbon country, so that's not quite as bizarre as it sounds).
I listened to the audiobook, which Mallory narrates herself, and I HIGHLY recommend the book in this format. (Thank you, Mallory, for reading the acknowledgements as well. Few narrators do but hers are exceptional, and I'm so glad I got to hear them in her voice.)
As featured in Modern Mrs Darcy's 16 giftable books for every reader.
January 29, 2022
" . . . people tend to forget that for thousands of years alcohol hasn't just been for getting trashed. Alcohol use is portrayed as a bad thing, a sin, a vice. But alcohol has been used as an integral part of diets and economies by native women across the globe. Making or drinking it was an important way to connect traditions and cultural identities." -- the author, on page 177
I was an admirer of author O'Meara's provocative and previous work, The Lady from the Black Lagoon, so I came to this newest work with some enthusiasm but also likely some expectations. However, I did not think this sophomore effort was quite as successful. Focusing on a large number of known and/or unheralded women responsible for alcohol production and sales (starting at 8000 B.C. in the 'cradle of civilization' and running right up to the bars of modern-day Manhattan), it was a quite a bit of information thrown at a reader - and there was much jumping back-and-forth between multiple subjects in single chapters, leading to a jarring effect - but yet it still felt like it was presented in a superficial manner, or maybe that was due to the author's breezy and conversational tone. Still, it worked best when spotlighting some unique or little-known parts of history, like the seventy-one year-old nun Sister Doris Engelhard in Germany. Since 1969, this certified master brewer has been producing and selling her own beer (using modern recipes and machinery) at her assigned abbey as part of her vow to serve God. What was even more revealing was that centuries ago alcohol / liquor production and sales at nunneries, monasteries, and convents used to be commonplace. Who knew?
I was an admirer of author O'Meara's provocative and previous work, The Lady from the Black Lagoon, so I came to this newest work with some enthusiasm but also likely some expectations. However, I did not think this sophomore effort was quite as successful. Focusing on a large number of known and/or unheralded women responsible for alcohol production and sales (starting at 8000 B.C. in the 'cradle of civilization' and running right up to the bars of modern-day Manhattan), it was a quite a bit of information thrown at a reader - and there was much jumping back-and-forth between multiple subjects in single chapters, leading to a jarring effect - but yet it still felt like it was presented in a superficial manner, or maybe that was due to the author's breezy and conversational tone. Still, it worked best when spotlighting some unique or little-known parts of history, like the seventy-one year-old nun Sister Doris Engelhard in Germany. Since 1969, this certified master brewer has been producing and selling her own beer (using modern recipes and machinery) at her assigned abbey as part of her vow to serve God. What was even more revealing was that centuries ago alcohol / liquor production and sales at nunneries, monasteries, and convents used to be commonplace. Who knew?
June 5, 2025
One day Mallory O'Meara hears "girly drink" to describe a fruity cocktail. It's a phrase she's heard a thousand times before, but this time it hits differently. She thinks there's probably a patriarchal, misogynistic backstory for why beverages became gendered. Unsatisfied with the information currently available, O'Meara researched the entire world history of alcohol so she could write this book. Not only did she want to know how alcohol interacted with society from the beginning, she wanted to understand how alcohol specifically mirrored women's issues throughout time.
The result is an exceptional odyssey of fascinating history and factoids that kept me riveted throughout. I loved the occasional bursts of humor and social commentary from a modern perspective.
O'Meara's thesis that misogyny would interact with the history of alcohol was clearly an easy one to prove. Yet there is also a lot of women empowerment found in the history of adult beverages worth celebrating.
As a non-drinker, I may not exactly be the target audience for this book, but as a history fan I was enraptured. Also, on the rare occasion I do indulge in a drink, it is exclusively of the "girly" variety. I too have wondered about the backstory of this stigma.
History is tough to write about in an enthralling way, particularly when it is well-researched like this. You may not devour the book in a single sitting. Like a good drink, however, there's pleasure in savoring small sips over an extended time.
Overall: highly recommended for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, particularly for those with an interest in gender studies and history. Don't miss it!
The result is an exceptional odyssey of fascinating history and factoids that kept me riveted throughout. I loved the occasional bursts of humor and social commentary from a modern perspective.
O'Meara's thesis that misogyny would interact with the history of alcohol was clearly an easy one to prove. Yet there is also a lot of women empowerment found in the history of adult beverages worth celebrating.
As a non-drinker, I may not exactly be the target audience for this book, but as a history fan I was enraptured. Also, on the rare occasion I do indulge in a drink, it is exclusively of the "girly" variety. I too have wondered about the backstory of this stigma.
History is tough to write about in an enthralling way, particularly when it is well-researched like this. You may not devour the book in a single sitting. Like a good drink, however, there's pleasure in savoring small sips over an extended time.
Overall: highly recommended for drinkers and non-drinkers alike, particularly for those with an interest in gender studies and history. Don't miss it!
November 7, 2021
Interesting information, but way too casually presented.
October 21, 2021
There is a reason history projects should be done by people trained on how to do it, and this book is a prime example as to why. While interesting subject material, the text lacks professionalism and is more focused on providing "cool" asides rather than demonstrating a handle on the topics and skillsets required to do this topic properly.
This reads like an extra-long Wikipedia article, lacking depth and context, a result of the author being neither academic nor journalist.
This is not a history of women and alcohol, it is a collection of stories of historical women (who were all cool, to be fair) presented amongst the barest of context for the time they lived in, all circling around O'Meara's thesis that "patriarchy didn't let them drink" but spending actually no time whatsoever to explore what that thesis means and how it might be complicated when you're looking at women's experiences from Mesopotamia, China, Indigenous North America, etc. The author also lacks competency in knowing the history of these periods to do them justice - you can't just read one book on the role of women in Ancient Greece and think you can write a book on it (the brevity of her bibliography is proof of this).
It is because of this, that there are actually errors in the book. I am not an expert on a vast number of the periods/places she mentions in this book and so I cannot comment on their accuracy, however, the areas that I am an expert on are full of half-accurate statements from everything from The Modern Girl through to the Indian Act (Canada). These half-accurate issues are a byproduct of the author's lack of expertise, a lack of a good editor, and shows why context is absolutely essential for understanding the past. You cannot simply make a glib footnote about something and move on.
I love popular history and I really wanted to like this book - research should be accessible and fun to read, especially in history. But this is not what I want; poorly researched and poorly written semi-accurate works. 1.5 stars because many of the figures she highlights are interesting and hopefully it spurs someone who picks up this book to research more and become interested in history and I liked her overall vibe of "all drinks are girly drinks".
(review copy provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
This reads like an extra-long Wikipedia article, lacking depth and context, a result of the author being neither academic nor journalist.
This is not a history of women and alcohol, it is a collection of stories of historical women (who were all cool, to be fair) presented amongst the barest of context for the time they lived in, all circling around O'Meara's thesis that "patriarchy didn't let them drink" but spending actually no time whatsoever to explore what that thesis means and how it might be complicated when you're looking at women's experiences from Mesopotamia, China, Indigenous North America, etc. The author also lacks competency in knowing the history of these periods to do them justice - you can't just read one book on the role of women in Ancient Greece and think you can write a book on it (the brevity of her bibliography is proof of this).
It is because of this, that there are actually errors in the book. I am not an expert on a vast number of the periods/places she mentions in this book and so I cannot comment on their accuracy, however, the areas that I am an expert on are full of half-accurate statements from everything from The Modern Girl through to the Indian Act (Canada). These half-accurate issues are a byproduct of the author's lack of expertise, a lack of a good editor, and shows why context is absolutely essential for understanding the past. You cannot simply make a glib footnote about something and move on.
I love popular history and I really wanted to like this book - research should be accessible and fun to read, especially in history. But this is not what I want; poorly researched and poorly written semi-accurate works. 1.5 stars because many of the figures she highlights are interesting and hopefully it spurs someone who picks up this book to research more and become interested in history and I liked her overall vibe of "all drinks are girly drinks".
(review copy provided for free from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review)
April 26, 2025
Celebrating reading this by going to a Tiki bar with book club. 🍹
This one's for you, Sandy!!
This one's for you, Sandy!!
January 1, 2022
Another fantastic book from Mallory O'Meara! Girly Drinks takes on the ambitious task of telling the story of women and alcohol, worldwide, from time immemorial to present. On the journey from 25,000-year-old cliff carvings to modern bartenders and master blenders, O'Meara introduces a variety of influential (if largely unknown) figures who have brewed, crafted, distilled, sold, blended, smuggled, and yes... imbibed every form of alcohol you can imagine. In each chapter, we visit a pivotal period in the history of alcohol. O'Meara is careful not to focus solely on western history alone. She'll begin one story, jump to other continents, introduce multiple, contemporaneous threads, and then loop back to complete each narrative. A pattern emerges: women have always been involved in the production and consumption of alcohol, and in every part of the world there is a tradition of home brewing and distillation that eventually gets crowded out by commercial intrusion and legal strong-arming. While men have found ways to exclude (no women allowed!) and marginalize (e.g., with the concept of "girly drinks" as fruity, sugary, and... well, pink), it has never stopped women from finding a way to participate and innovate.
O'Meara shows great restraint in selecting just a handful of individuals per chapter to highlight the salient trends, though her research detailed many more. Most were new figures to me, with surprising connections to drinks we're all familiar with. It was fun to learn about Cleopatra's secret drinking club and inscribed ring, Hildegard of Bingen's commitment to brewing (what couldn't she do?), Catherine the Great's influence on vodka, and Aimee Semple McPherson's intemperate habits, among many other surprising stories and connections.
I've never been very literate when it comes to booze, so it's helpful that O'Meara explains terms as we encounter them, describing how various alcohols are derived, produced and distinguished, and even where their names come from. Along the way, she drops her characteristic, witty footnotes with additional information and commentary that never let the book get dry. I sipped whisky while reading (now I know how that's distinct from whiskey), and now I have a bunch of new drinks I'd like to try. They're all girly.
O'Meara shows great restraint in selecting just a handful of individuals per chapter to highlight the salient trends, though her research detailed many more. Most were new figures to me, with surprising connections to drinks we're all familiar with. It was fun to learn about Cleopatra's secret drinking club and inscribed ring, Hildegard of Bingen's commitment to brewing (what couldn't she do?), Catherine the Great's influence on vodka, and Aimee Semple McPherson's intemperate habits, among many other surprising stories and connections.
I've never been very literate when it comes to booze, so it's helpful that O'Meara explains terms as we encounter them, describing how various alcohols are derived, produced and distinguished, and even where their names come from. Along the way, she drops her characteristic, witty footnotes with additional information and commentary that never let the book get dry. I sipped whisky while reading (now I know how that's distinct from whiskey), and now I have a bunch of new drinks I'd like to try. They're all girly.
July 21, 2021
This book has a lot of promise. The author has a really fun girlfriendy tone while telling the story, so you very quickly feel connected to her. I highly recommend reading the footnotes for more places where she shows her voice.
One word of caution though for people coming to this book looking for just wit, there is a lot of non-fiction almost textbooky information. I really wanted this to be a fun book with information about different spirits or cocktails and their origin stories that I could put on my bar, but this isn’t that kind of book.
She does a great job showing the role women play in the world. Though in some places the book does drag a bit. I found myself unfortunately skimming sections because my eyes were glazing over a bit with the tremendous level of detail shared and the number of anecdotes in each chapter.
The biggest fault I found was in some chapters she jumped around the world without warning and then returns to the main focus of the chapter. It can be a touch confusing trying to figure out how the smaller stories relate into the main topic.
Unfortunately, I needed to put the book down so many times to let my brain rest from all of the jumping and absorb the significant amount of information presented that by the end of the book I was just so ready for it to be over that I almost DNF’ed this one after I was almost 3/4 of the way through it. The promise of Carrie Bradshaw and the cosmo kept me reading until the end though.
If I were in the alcohol industry, this would be a really interesting book, it reminded me a lot of Moneyball for baseball. If you’re looking for a fun book about how women influenced drinking culture and the process of creating alcohol, this isn’t the book for you. But if you want a deep knowledge on the history of women’s role in the alcohol industry, you’ll love this.
One word of caution though for people coming to this book looking for just wit, there is a lot of non-fiction almost textbooky information. I really wanted this to be a fun book with information about different spirits or cocktails and their origin stories that I could put on my bar, but this isn’t that kind of book.
She does a great job showing the role women play in the world. Though in some places the book does drag a bit. I found myself unfortunately skimming sections because my eyes were glazing over a bit with the tremendous level of detail shared and the number of anecdotes in each chapter.
The biggest fault I found was in some chapters she jumped around the world without warning and then returns to the main focus of the chapter. It can be a touch confusing trying to figure out how the smaller stories relate into the main topic.
Unfortunately, I needed to put the book down so many times to let my brain rest from all of the jumping and absorb the significant amount of information presented that by the end of the book I was just so ready for it to be over that I almost DNF’ed this one after I was almost 3/4 of the way through it. The promise of Carrie Bradshaw and the cosmo kept me reading until the end though.
If I were in the alcohol industry, this would be a really interesting book, it reminded me a lot of Moneyball for baseball. If you’re looking for a fun book about how women influenced drinking culture and the process of creating alcohol, this isn’t the book for you. But if you want a deep knowledge on the history of women’s role in the alcohol industry, you’ll love this.
October 20, 2021
Much like O'Meara did in her earlier The Lady from the Black Lagoon, Girly Drinks dishes the dirt, points out the facts, and gives history a dusting up to give women their due in the culture, creation and serving of alcohol. Readers will feel like the luckiest person at the bar with O'Meara sitting next to them, noting that our early ancestors needed alcohol calories, that bridal showers are rooted in "bride ale" and how Tatsu'uma Kiyo's building of the largest sake empire in Japan could be compared to Game of Thrones! The author brings readers right into the 2010 and 20's with Skinnygirl Margaritas, women's whiskey clubs and female brewmasters, demonstrating that progress can, and is, being made. A delightful and informative read that will have you reaching for the shaker and spoon.
February 2, 2022
I love feminist investigative nonfiction so much! Likeeeee. I just never sat down and thought about alcohol and drinking and its history across the globe as it affects women. I randomly stumbled across this one and I just knew I had to read it. It was so good. And so wide-reaching. Not just US and Europe but also Caribbean history, African history, and other parts of the globe. So much research went into this and it was never at any point boring to read. As always, books like this open my eyes more and more to the sheer injustice of being a woman and the burden that has always come with it from the dawn of time. Highly highly recommend. It's also my second five star of February. An amazing reading month so sar!
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May 5, 2023
Have I ever mentioned that I love microhistories?
Well, I do, and I highly recommend this one, which is a brief history of alcohol and women, and it is utterly fascinating.
O'Meara has a fun, pop-culturely writing style that gets to the heart of the matter of women and drinking, with the premise that you can tell how restrictive a place is based on how and where women are allowed to drink—and the history of women being allowed into public spaces.
Well, I do, and I highly recommend this one, which is a brief history of alcohol and women, and it is utterly fascinating.
O'Meara has a fun, pop-culturely writing style that gets to the heart of the matter of women and drinking, with the premise that you can tell how restrictive a place is based on how and where women are allowed to drink—and the history of women being allowed into public spaces.
December 4, 2021
I love Mallory O'Meara and there was a lot of great stuff in here but I felt myself wishing it was a podcast series. The tone felt conversational to a point where it felt a bit cringey and forced and probably would have felt better actually in conversation with someone else. Also it felt like there was so much covered that there just wasn't space to do more than a shallow sweep through a lot of topics and when that was combined with the quippy tone it started to feel a little too much like a series of fun facts that could be printed on coasters.
August 14, 2024
“Skinny margaritas. Appletinis. Cosmos. Drinks flavored like cake or whipped cream. Drinks featuring cake or whipped cream. Bright red maraschino cherries and pastel umbrellas. You know, girly drinks. Drinks for girls.”
What a fun and informative read! I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, because it has the potential to be more dry and boring but this captured my attention right away. The author’s voice is incredible; it feels like a good friend telling you a story about something they’re passionate about. The information is presented casually, so it’s very easy to comprehend. I laughed out loud more than once! In a time where alcohol is often vilified, I found this take super empowering and refreshing. It’s very diverse and brings in women from all over the world, during different time periods. Despite still fighting to be a part of the alcohol space, women have been brewing alcohol from the very beginning. It helped women have a source of income and independence. I learned so much while reading this and it will definitely stick with me. I highly recommend.
“It was believed that drinking weakened a woman's ability to resist the devil, when really, it was that drinking strengthened a woman's desire to resist the patriarchy.”
Content warnings: alcohol, colonization, sexism, misogyny, racism, classism
What a fun and informative read! I don’t read a lot of non-fiction, because it has the potential to be more dry and boring but this captured my attention right away. The author’s voice is incredible; it feels like a good friend telling you a story about something they’re passionate about. The information is presented casually, so it’s very easy to comprehend. I laughed out loud more than once! In a time where alcohol is often vilified, I found this take super empowering and refreshing. It’s very diverse and brings in women from all over the world, during different time periods. Despite still fighting to be a part of the alcohol space, women have been brewing alcohol from the very beginning. It helped women have a source of income and independence. I learned so much while reading this and it will definitely stick with me. I highly recommend.
“It was believed that drinking weakened a woman's ability to resist the devil, when really, it was that drinking strengthened a woman's desire to resist the patriarchy.”
Content warnings: alcohol, colonization, sexism, misogyny, racism, classism
April 13, 2025
I never would’ve thought a book about alcohol would change my life but here we are! Drinking and brewing are feminist acts! Also, the author is friends with Grady Hendrix. I KNEW he was cool.
October 15, 2021
Mallory O'Meara writes a brief history of women involved in the business of alcohol, not necessarily women drinking alcohol. She does discuss a bit of that, i.e., the title, "Girly Drinks" and how that phrase came about, but the concentration is on the business end.
When she, O'Meara talks business, that can mean everything from distilling, brewing, blending, bottling, and selling. Most of the women she mentions begin with chemistry degrees to understand the process of 'making' alcoholic beverages. Science is the foundation in this business unless you were born into it and learned everything while watching the process on your father's knee. And yes, father is the correct parent because it has been a male dominated industry for a very long time.
Wine and vineyards were probably the first to accept women into their fold before liquor distillers and beer brewers. Rum accepted a woman first, then gradually other spirits starred to open their doors as well. It wasn't until the 2000s that women made some progress, but the numbers are gradually growing.
Girly drinks were originally cocktails with more soda, fruit juice and/or sugar than alcohol; and probably pink. Wine coolers weren't too bad but they were made with cheap wine and bubbly sodas until tax on wine went up and they couldn't be made cheaply anymore. That led to cheap alcohol and soda pop plus coloring. 'Alcopops,' which got sweeter and more colorful, and accused of marketing to teens. They went bye-bye too.
The 'Cosmo' famous drink by Carrie Bradshaw on 'Sex and the City' was probably the only girly drink that wasn't terrible. But the Cosmo too outlived it's trendy life.
The book is fairy interesting, but remember, it's more history than anything else. Just know what to expect and you'll be fine. Very readable and not scientific.
I'd rate it a solid three stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hanover Square Press
When she, O'Meara talks business, that can mean everything from distilling, brewing, blending, bottling, and selling. Most of the women she mentions begin with chemistry degrees to understand the process of 'making' alcoholic beverages. Science is the foundation in this business unless you were born into it and learned everything while watching the process on your father's knee. And yes, father is the correct parent because it has been a male dominated industry for a very long time.
Wine and vineyards were probably the first to accept women into their fold before liquor distillers and beer brewers. Rum accepted a woman first, then gradually other spirits starred to open their doors as well. It wasn't until the 2000s that women made some progress, but the numbers are gradually growing.
Girly drinks were originally cocktails with more soda, fruit juice and/or sugar than alcohol; and probably pink. Wine coolers weren't too bad but they were made with cheap wine and bubbly sodas until tax on wine went up and they couldn't be made cheaply anymore. That led to cheap alcohol and soda pop plus coloring. 'Alcopops,' which got sweeter and more colorful, and accused of marketing to teens. They went bye-bye too.
The 'Cosmo' famous drink by Carrie Bradshaw on 'Sex and the City' was probably the only girly drink that wasn't terrible. But the Cosmo too outlived it's trendy life.
The book is fairy interesting, but remember, it's more history than anything else. Just know what to expect and you'll be fine. Very readable and not scientific.
I'd rate it a solid three stars.
Thank you to Netgalley and Hanover Square Press
February 9, 2023
I actually learned a lot from this book and not just about women and booze - I learned a lot about the history of alcohol and was super intrigued throughout the whole book. Mallory O'Meara does an excellent job of giving readers the history of women and booze while also highlighting some extremely influential women along the way. There were so many interesting tid bits about how alcohol was made - where customs and laws came from - and of course - how women got the short end of the stick time and time again. Women do not get nearly enough credit for their impact and are even now still overshadowed by their male counterpoints. I think this book is important for anyone who likes learning about history and drinking. A fun and extremely enlightening read!
May 30, 2023
Hell yes. Hell yes to this book and hell yes to badass, beautiful, drinking women.
You might enjoy this if you like:
-micro histories
-drinking
-feminism
You might enjoy this if you like:
-micro histories
-drinking
-feminism
March 4, 2022
We all know what a “girly drink” is: a drink that is sweet, brightly colored, generally served in a stemmed glass and often with an umbrella or some other type of decoration. “Serious” drinks, drinks for men, do not have or need these accoutrements. Can women not enjoy bourbon, scotch or whiskey? Are there no men that enjoy a daiquiri or a cosmopolitan? When, and how, did drinking become a gendered act? Mallory O’Meara, the author of 2019’s excellent The Lady from the Black Lagoon, is back with Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol, an ambitious, timely, and eminently readable chronicle of women’s history with alcohol, which answers not only that question, but a lot of others as well.
In a mere 15 chapters, 335 pages, O’Meara tells a tale that spans from pre-history to the modern day, documenting not only the development of the alcoholic beverage, but how women have, at every point in history, been critical to the development, making, marketing, sales, and distribution of alcohol in every culture on the planet. All while simultaneously being restricted, forbidden, taxed and imprisoned for doing so. Each chapter focuses on a specific era in history and on women whose stories illustrate their involvement with, or restrictions against, drinking. Some of the highlights include a 12th century mother superior who discovered that by adding hops to her beer it would remain fresher longer; Catherine the Great, who bribed soldiers with vodka to remove her husband from the throne; Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, who in the 19th century, almost single-handedly created the mystique and market for Champagne; Bessie Williamson, the First Lady of Scotch; and the development of “cocktail culture” in the 1950’s United States. All of this told in O’Meara’s strong but conversational voice.
O’Meara’s research is solid and her conclusions, including, “The double standard that drinking women face is deeply rooted in male anxieties about... women acting like people, not property,” are simultaneously timely and timeless.
Girly Drinks is a must read, as well as an interview with the author right here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
In a mere 15 chapters, 335 pages, O’Meara tells a tale that spans from pre-history to the modern day, documenting not only the development of the alcoholic beverage, but how women have, at every point in history, been critical to the development, making, marketing, sales, and distribution of alcohol in every culture on the planet. All while simultaneously being restricted, forbidden, taxed and imprisoned for doing so. Each chapter focuses on a specific era in history and on women whose stories illustrate their involvement with, or restrictions against, drinking. Some of the highlights include a 12th century mother superior who discovered that by adding hops to her beer it would remain fresher longer; Catherine the Great, who bribed soldiers with vodka to remove her husband from the throne; Barbe-Nicole Clicquot, who in the 19th century, almost single-handedly created the mystique and market for Champagne; Bessie Williamson, the First Lady of Scotch; and the development of “cocktail culture” in the 1950’s United States. All of this told in O’Meara’s strong but conversational voice.
O’Meara’s research is solid and her conclusions, including, “The double standard that drinking women face is deeply rooted in male anxieties about... women acting like people, not property,” are simultaneously timely and timeless.
Girly Drinks is a must read, as well as an interview with the author right here.
Reviewed by Daryl M., Librarian, West Valley Regional Branch Library
July 19, 2022
A bit of background: when I started drinking at the ripe old age of 21 (yes, I may be the only person in America who waited until it was legally allowed to try a sip of booze), I thought I hated alcohol. Every drink I tried repulsed me. Then, someone offered me whiskey, and my whole outlook on alcohol changed. I realized I didn't hate drinking — I hated the fruity, sweet, low-calorie "girly" drinks that everyone expected me to enjoy. Up till I tried whiskey, no one had thought to offer me anything but rosé and vodka soda, because as a woman, certain drinks are not "supposed" to be for me. And now, whenever I drink bourbon, people always comment on how surprising it is that I — a woman — could possibly enjoy such a "manly" drink. It occurred to me that gendering cocktails is rather stupid — just drink what you want to drink. So naturally I wanted to find out why alcohol is gendered in the first place.
Enter Girly Drinks. My story is not so different from the tale the author, Mallory O'Meara, tells in the introduction. Like me, she had resigned herself to a life of tolerable-but-not-delicious vodka sodas with lime before discovering bourbon. Like me, she thought gendering alcohol is beyond ridiculous. Like me, she wanted to find out why this is.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like the quality of O'Meara's research, or how she presented her findings — which is a shame, given her potential. As many other reviewers have noted, this book reads like a 2015 Buzzfeed article. This style — along with O'Meara's tendency to shy away from providing many details and to overexplain the simplest things — gives the impression that the author is talking down to her readers, as if we can't be trusted to grasp the true complexities of the topic at hand. Additionally, about 40% of this book is not history, but O'Meara's snarky asides and opinions, usually aimed at how awful racism/sexism/colonization is or was. (Yes, I, along with most of the target audience of this book, agree sexism/racism/colonization is bad, but I'm not reading for O'Meara's opinions). Despite O'Meara constantly trying to demonstrate how progressive she was, when opportunities for thoughtful intersectional analysis arose, she ignored them. Other reviewers have also found significant factual flaws in various chapters of the book, which is a major issue. O'Meara often overstates the importance of alcohol to various historical events by not providing much information about other relevant sociopolitical circumstances. As other reviewers have noted, in many chapters — usually those not about the US or UK ��� it seems that O'Meara runs out of material and jumps from topic to topic (and country to country) at random to fill space.
At the same time, I did learn a lot from the chapters on the US and UK — about Madam Cliquot (the "veuve" or widow, that created Veuve Cliqout, one of the world's best-selling champagnes; I know this is technically France), Bessie Williamson (the first woman to run the Laphroaig distillery, who created the categories of single-malt and Islay Scotch), Margie Samuels (who came up with the idea for the distinctive red wax bottling of Marker's Mark bourbon), Ada Coleman (the first female bartender at the American Bar in London), Carrie Bradshaw and Bridget Jones (fictional characters whose popularity ushered in the popularity of cosmos and chardonnay), and Julie Reiner (a bartender who reigned in the era of the craft cocktail) — were well-researched, tightly-paced, and very informative. I learned a lot about these incredible women's contributions to the way we drink alcohol today. If the whole book had been like those chapters — tightly edited, factual, and with a minimum of Buzzfeed-esque side comments — this book would have easily been four or five stars.
Enter Girly Drinks. My story is not so different from the tale the author, Mallory O'Meara, tells in the introduction. Like me, she had resigned herself to a life of tolerable-but-not-delicious vodka sodas with lime before discovering bourbon. Like me, she thought gendering alcohol is beyond ridiculous. Like me, she wanted to find out why this is.
Unfortunately, I didn't really like the quality of O'Meara's research, or how she presented her findings — which is a shame, given her potential. As many other reviewers have noted, this book reads like a 2015 Buzzfeed article. This style — along with O'Meara's tendency to shy away from providing many details and to overexplain the simplest things — gives the impression that the author is talking down to her readers, as if we can't be trusted to grasp the true complexities of the topic at hand. Additionally, about 40% of this book is not history, but O'Meara's snarky asides and opinions, usually aimed at how awful racism/sexism/colonization is or was. (Yes, I, along with most of the target audience of this book, agree sexism/racism/colonization is bad, but I'm not reading for O'Meara's opinions). Despite O'Meara constantly trying to demonstrate how progressive she was, when opportunities for thoughtful intersectional analysis arose, she ignored them. Other reviewers have also found significant factual flaws in various chapters of the book, which is a major issue. O'Meara often overstates the importance of alcohol to various historical events by not providing much information about other relevant sociopolitical circumstances. As other reviewers have noted, in many chapters — usually those not about the US or UK ��� it seems that O'Meara runs out of material and jumps from topic to topic (and country to country) at random to fill space.
At the same time, I did learn a lot from the chapters on the US and UK — about Madam Cliquot (the "veuve" or widow, that created Veuve Cliqout, one of the world's best-selling champagnes; I know this is technically France), Bessie Williamson (the first woman to run the Laphroaig distillery, who created the categories of single-malt and Islay Scotch), Margie Samuels (who came up with the idea for the distinctive red wax bottling of Marker's Mark bourbon), Ada Coleman (the first female bartender at the American Bar in London), Carrie Bradshaw and Bridget Jones (fictional characters whose popularity ushered in the popularity of cosmos and chardonnay), and Julie Reiner (a bartender who reigned in the era of the craft cocktail) — were well-researched, tightly-paced, and very informative. I learned a lot about these incredible women's contributions to the way we drink alcohol today. If the whole book had been like those chapters — tightly edited, factual, and with a minimum of Buzzfeed-esque side comments — this book would have easily been four or five stars.
May 9, 2022
2 stars, and I have to admit that I quit at about halfway. This was a great concept and should have been fun, but unfortunately it was just not well executed.
I have to say first that I don’t mind reading history books that are not by historians, as long as they are still of good quality. But Mallory O’Meara’s writing is not of good quality, and I seriously doubt she employs an editor or fact-checker. In the Cleopatra chapter she says that Cleopatra was one of only two women who ruled in the ancient world. I think she meant to say in Ancient Egypt, because otherwise that’s just blatantly false. One page later, she asserts that Greek society was founded in 9000 B.C., which is obviously a typo, but a pretty big one to overlook. And in the same chapter, she tells us about Cleopatra’s drinking club Inimitable Livers, remarking how cool it is that the group was called that before anyone knew that the liver had anything to do with alcohol. Apparently it never occurred to her that there is another explanation, the correct one: The Inimitable Livers meant ‘people who lived inimitably’ and had nothing to do with the human organ.
One last example of her misleading/lazy grasp of history: In a later chapter she dismisses humoral theory as ‘bullshit biological idea’ that was used to keep women from drinking. Anyone who has read even a little history knows that humoral theory was accepted science for centuries, and that challenging it would have been as absurd as challenging evolutionary theory is today. So no, it was not some bunk that men thought up to keep women from beer. It was the proper science of the time, improperly applied, and being fake-indignant about that just makes her sound foolish.
My second complaint has been made by other reviewers as well: this book is incredibly disorganized. In one chapter we talk about Catherine the Great and vodka before swerving wildly to the making of alcohol by Vietnamese women, and then swerving again to talk about American women’s drinking habits, before returning to Catherine and her vodka. I got whiplash from how quickly she changed topics. I do appreciate, though, that she tried to be intersectional, and that there is a text break indicating a new section so that readers can skip whatever doesn’t interest them. I just wish she had formatted better.
I learned a few interesting things here, but I think I’d rather find a better book on the topic than stick with this one. I prefer histories where the author doesn't use the word 'dude' in an effort to sound cool and make a point.
I have to say first that I don’t mind reading history books that are not by historians, as long as they are still of good quality. But Mallory O’Meara’s writing is not of good quality, and I seriously doubt she employs an editor or fact-checker. In the Cleopatra chapter she says that Cleopatra was one of only two women who ruled in the ancient world. I think she meant to say in Ancient Egypt, because otherwise that’s just blatantly false. One page later, she asserts that Greek society was founded in 9000 B.C., which is obviously a typo, but a pretty big one to overlook. And in the same chapter, she tells us about Cleopatra’s drinking club Inimitable Livers, remarking how cool it is that the group was called that before anyone knew that the liver had anything to do with alcohol. Apparently it never occurred to her that there is another explanation, the correct one: The Inimitable Livers meant ‘people who lived inimitably’ and had nothing to do with the human organ.
One last example of her misleading/lazy grasp of history: In a later chapter she dismisses humoral theory as ‘bullshit biological idea’ that was used to keep women from drinking. Anyone who has read even a little history knows that humoral theory was accepted science for centuries, and that challenging it would have been as absurd as challenging evolutionary theory is today. So no, it was not some bunk that men thought up to keep women from beer. It was the proper science of the time, improperly applied, and being fake-indignant about that just makes her sound foolish.
My second complaint has been made by other reviewers as well: this book is incredibly disorganized. In one chapter we talk about Catherine the Great and vodka before swerving wildly to the making of alcohol by Vietnamese women, and then swerving again to talk about American women’s drinking habits, before returning to Catherine and her vodka. I got whiplash from how quickly she changed topics. I do appreciate, though, that she tried to be intersectional, and that there is a text break indicating a new section so that readers can skip whatever doesn’t interest them. I just wish she had formatted better.
I learned a few interesting things here, but I think I’d rather find a better book on the topic than stick with this one. I prefer histories where the author doesn't use the word 'dude' in an effort to sound cool and make a point.
April 29, 2022
As she says in her introduction, Mallory O'Meara uses case studies of fifteen women throughout history to illuminate "what it was like through the ages for a woman who wanted to drink." A few of my favorite points/quotes:
"During my research, it was impossible not to notice how strong the correlation was between a culture that allowed women to drink and a culture that gave women their freedoms...For thousands of years, raising a toast as a woman was a subversive act. In many places all over the world, it still is. But, if they get paid less, withstand more pain, and have to fight against more oppression, aren't women more deserving of a gd drink?" (Introduction)
"Alcohol legislation has always been about so much more than just moderating drinking and preventing drunkenness. It's about controlling people: who is allowed to drink and where. It's about stifling threats to authority and forcing certain types of people - poor people especially, and poor or native women ESPECIALLY - into certain types of approved behavior. It's about who can partake in this industry and make money off it. Just as it was in the ancient world, controlling who has access to alcohol is about who has access to political and economic power." (Ch. 6)
Currently, "'wine moms' disparaged for using wine as a coping mechanism. There's no "beer dad" scornful stereotype. For decades, loveable sitcom fathers who crack open a beer when they get home from work are seen as deserving of it. Since mothers are expected to be on-call 24-7, there is no 'after work' for them. Therefore, it's scandalous to see them openly and publicly do the same." (Ch. 15)
"During my research, it was impossible not to notice how strong the correlation was between a culture that allowed women to drink and a culture that gave women their freedoms...For thousands of years, raising a toast as a woman was a subversive act. In many places all over the world, it still is. But, if they get paid less, withstand more pain, and have to fight against more oppression, aren't women more deserving of a gd drink?" (Introduction)
"Alcohol legislation has always been about so much more than just moderating drinking and preventing drunkenness. It's about controlling people: who is allowed to drink and where. It's about stifling threats to authority and forcing certain types of people - poor people especially, and poor or native women ESPECIALLY - into certain types of approved behavior. It's about who can partake in this industry and make money off it. Just as it was in the ancient world, controlling who has access to alcohol is about who has access to political and economic power." (Ch. 6)
Currently, "'wine moms' disparaged for using wine as a coping mechanism. There's no "beer dad" scornful stereotype. For decades, loveable sitcom fathers who crack open a beer when they get home from work are seen as deserving of it. Since mothers are expected to be on-call 24-7, there is no 'after work' for them. Therefore, it's scandalous to see them openly and publicly do the same." (Ch. 15)
January 3, 2022
Audiobook - Non-fiction
Fantastic!
I am so thankful that my friend spoke to me about this book. We get the history of alcohol and how women were intertwined with that story throughout. Regardless of class, race, religion or country you cannot talk about alcohol without speaking about women. It was so fascinating. There was so much information that I wanted/needed to absorb that I'm going to have to listen to this again.
So much legislation came about as a way to keep women from making money by making alcohol. They were usually the first to make and market it and once it became popular or they became successful, men found a way to stop them or hamper those abilities.
We all know about Prohibition in the US, but I didn't know that it was a group of bipartisan women that actually got it repealed. This book is filled with tidbits like that. I loved it!
Fantastic!
I am so thankful that my friend spoke to me about this book. We get the history of alcohol and how women were intertwined with that story throughout. Regardless of class, race, religion or country you cannot talk about alcohol without speaking about women. It was so fascinating. There was so much information that I wanted/needed to absorb that I'm going to have to listen to this again.
So much legislation came about as a way to keep women from making money by making alcohol. They were usually the first to make and market it and once it became popular or they became successful, men found a way to stop them or hamper those abilities.
We all know about Prohibition in the US, but I didn't know that it was a group of bipartisan women that actually got it repealed. This book is filled with tidbits like that. I loved it!
March 29, 2024
Always educational, yet never overly academic, I learned SO MUCH from this single book. It’s incredible to be (constantly) reminded that history really is in the hands of its storytellers. Thankfully, Mallory is here to shift the balance. I loved her style of writing & though it was dense, it was extremely digestible.
My only note that felt glossed over was the flip side of the coin: this was a wholly positive look at alcohol, which, even when taken in moderation, isn’t the whole story. It was touched on in the ways women can’t control (e.g. “watch your drink”) but wasn’t addressed in the ways our relationship to alcohol may need to culturally change as it shifted from a Low ABV nutrient source to today’s highly industrialized social lubricant. I understand there are other volumes that look at this in detail, but in a look at “women’s history with alcohol” it seems a miss to omit entirely.
My only note that felt glossed over was the flip side of the coin: this was a wholly positive look at alcohol, which, even when taken in moderation, isn’t the whole story. It was touched on in the ways women can’t control (e.g. “watch your drink”) but wasn’t addressed in the ways our relationship to alcohol may need to culturally change as it shifted from a Low ABV nutrient source to today’s highly industrialized social lubricant. I understand there are other volumes that look at this in detail, but in a look at “women’s history with alcohol” it seems a miss to omit entirely.
May 4, 2023
I’m so glad this book was written. O’Meara debunks so many falsehoods about women and alcohol and it’s delightful. At times, the audiobook is a little difficult to follow if you’re a multitasker like me, but overall this is a very insightful read, especially if you work in a bar or in the alcohol industry and are constantly around men 🤪. Catch me walking around spewing facts all the time now :)
July 4, 2025
Incredibly well researched and beautifully written. A global history of women and alcohol felt like a high order to make happen, but Mallory O’Meara was up to the task and maintained a meticulously well ordered timeline. I now have at least five more books to read to learn more about the women included in this. Highly recommend. 🥂
February 23, 2022
4/5 ⭐️: I really enjoyed this book! I did not know much about the history of alcohol and I've learned so much from Mallory. The organization is fantastic and each chapter focuses on a new area, highlighting a woman who significantly contributed to the creation of alcohol and drinking culture. Who knew that the entire system was built and crafted by women?? The chapters, while incredibly informative, were also super digestible and very conversational. I never felt like I was reading a history book. I highly recommend this book! It was such a fun read and I know so many fun facts :)
December 23, 2022
A thorough history of booze and the badass women who’ve revolutionized the industry. This is smart, funny, and truly informative! Whose idea was it to dip Makers Mark in red wax to differentiate their bottles? A woman. That’s merely one example in a book full of unsurprising, if I’m being honest, facts. A great gift book!
April 23, 2025
A book I didn’t know I needed. This was super fun and I can’t wait to talk about it over a cocktail!
December 23, 2022
An enthusiastic and well researched book that really delves into the relationship between women and alcohol through history.
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