Imagine, if you will, a heterosexual couple walks into a bar. The man is likely to order a “manly” drink, which is likely described as a beer or vodka. The woman is likely to order a “girly” drink, which is likely sweet, fizzy, and comes with a tiny umbrella.
Mallory O’Meara‘s new book, Girly Drinks: A World History of Women and Alcohol, was published last month. Her study of human history and alcohol creation/consumption comes down to a simple hypothesis. Though women have been making and drinking various forms of booze since the beginning of human history, our contributions have been (for the most part) either ignored completely or considered to be “unwomanly”. While men have been allowed to get wasted since the dawn of time, a woman who has had one too many is either neglecting her duties or is daring (heaven forbid) to act as a male does.
I loved this book. The author is funny, sarcastic, and has no problem ripping a hole into the ideas of what is “acceptable” for a woman. She also hilights those who have defied expectations and took their place at the bar, regardless of what was being said about them?
Do I recommend it? Absolutely. It was a joy to read.
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