We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beverages

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are Girly Drinks?

Michael Pollick
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 31,340
Share

Most alcoholic beverages served in a bar fall under two very broadly defined categories: manly drinks and girly drinks. Manly drinks tend to contain only a few key ingredients, alcohol and something else. The flavor or appearance of the drink is a secondary consideration compared to the amount of alcohol it contains. Girly drinks, on the other hand, may have a number of ingredients, most of which are not actual alcohol. These ingredients are often blended with ice, diluted with mixers or served with elaborate garnishes such as umbrellas or speared fruit.

It is no secret that many people find the taste of alcohol to be unpleasant at best. While many male drinkers consider downing an especially potent drink to be a sign of masculinity, many women prefer beverages which minimize the bitter flavor and burn of the alcohol. Many so-called "girly drinks" were invented to mask the taste of bathtub gin or other questionable sources of alcohol. The addition of fruit juices helped to mask the flavor, while mixers such as cream or ginger ale often minimized the burning sensation.

Frozen drinks such as fruit daiquiris and breezes are often categorized as girly drinks, especially with the addition of drink parasols, shaved coconut or fruit garnishes. Even without the blended ice, mixed drinks containing fruit juices such as orange juice or cranberry juice can also be considered girly. Straight amaretto served with ice may be considered a manly drink, for example, but an amaretto mixed with orange juice or a sour mix could be considered girly.

Martinis and other high-end cocktails are often considered the definition of girly drinks. Trendy martini blends such as Cosmopolitans or Appletinis have a strong appeal for women who seek flavorful drinks made from more palatable alcohols such as vodka or schnapps. Even cocktails containing several different kinds of white liquors, such as Long Island Iced Teas, can be considered girly because of their sweetened mixers and elaborate presentation.

Girly drinks may also feature flavored liqueurs and fruit-flavored vodkas instead of the harsher bourbons and malt whiskeys found in other mixed drinks. Popular college drinks such as Sex on the Beach or Tequila Sunrise can also be included in this category because they contain mixers and fruit juices to mute the taste of the alcohol.

Mixed drinks which use cream, milk or Irish Cream as mixers could also be considered girly drinks. This would include recipes for Mudslides, Grasshoppers and White Russians, although many drinks in this category do fall somewhere between true girly and manly drinks.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Michael Pollick
By Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to DelightedCooking, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide range of topics. His curiosity drives him to study subjects in-depth, resulting in informative and engaging articles. Prior to becoming a professional writer, Michael honed his skills as an English tutor, poet, voice-over artist, and DJ.
Discussion Comments
By seHiro — On May 24, 2011

@dega2010 - While it's a good message to send to your daughters that drinks can taste good without alcohol, I have to wonder why you would encourage them to get into drink mixing, which imitates the way alcoholic beverages are made. Why not fruit smoothies or something else that wouldn't possibly encourage curiosity in bar-room drink mixing?

By ahain — On May 21, 2011

As a woman who thinks most alcohol taste disgusting, let me tell you, "girly drinks" are the only way I will ever get buzzed. I can manage to drink a Long Island Iced Tea and enjoy it, and vanilla vodka with cola or vodka and orange juice Screwdrivers are drinkable.

However, if you think any flavored, yummy-sounding drink will taste good, think again. For my 21st birthday, my friends took me to the local Applebee's, where I ordered a chocolate martini. Chocolate means it tastes good, right? Not when it's a martini. It was so disgusting that I barely managed to choke the whole thing down -- and the glass wasn't very big! For best results finding a good-tasting "girly drink", stick to fruit flavors.

By dega2010 — On Sep 30, 2010

My daughter just turned 13 and she wanted to have kid drinks that they could make and have fun with at her party. I found some great recipes and the girls loved making them. We stressed the fact to them that you can have great drinks without alcohol.

Their favorite was called the Evil Princess. For one drink, you need 1 oz. grenadine, 2 oz. grape juice, 1 oz. apple juice, 1 tbsp. vanilla extract, and 1 tbsp. lemon juice.

Pour over ice, stir and garnish with a slice of lemon.

Michael Pollick
Michael Pollick
As a frequent contributor to DelightedCooking, Michael Pollick uses his passion for research and writing to cover a wide...
Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-are-girly-drinks.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.