Femme Guide to Butch Drinks. Part 3.

Book Review.

I’m no expert. Hell, i’m not even an amateur in the original sense. All i’m saying is that if you want a list of good books to learn to mix drinks from, this is not it.

I am inclined to think that you could tell a bit about me from my book collection. So, my books on the subject of drinking are: 1000 Drinks (or some such), Cocktails for Dummies: Pocket Edition (what? it was a dollar.) and Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion (come to think of it, that was a dollar too).

It is the latter this is about. Frankly, i bought it without opening it. Can you blame me?

Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion.

I thought not. It is the most rediculous and fantastic piece of writing i’ve ever owned – or read, for that matter.

My copy is as of the seventh printing (1949), and i do not think there is a better way to describe this book than to copy the title page:

Crosby Gaige’s

Cocktail Guide

and

Ladies’ Companion

Richly Embellished with Drawings

Almost from Life

by

REA IRVIN

With a Foreward in Golden Prose

by

LUCIUS BEEBE

and

A Recessional or Final Insult

Hurled at the Reader

by

LAWTON MACKALL

Published for Hussies and Homebodies

by

M. BARROWS AND COMPANY

incorporated

At the FIRESIDE PRESS

NEW YORK

1949

In a lighthearted mood the book is a fantastic (read: rediculous) read. Fortunately it is only about 1/3 actual writing. Even in a lighthearted mood more than that might weigh on one. Past that, i truly appreciate the recipes. It has a few food recipies for entertainig, none of which i’ve tried. But i’ve looked through the drink recipes, and tried a number of the whiskey ones. Primarily i like to have an “authentic” source for *ahem* old fashioned drinks. It is far more interesting – and discerning – than my genering thousand drinks book.

Frankly, i’m smitten. It is clear that it was written to be utterly rediculous at the time

P.S. a note from my dictionary: “hussie” is derived from “housewife.” Hussies and homebodies, indeed! 

 

I’m no expert. Hell, i’m not even an amateur in the original sense. If you want a list of good books to learn to mix drinks from, this is not really it.

I am inclined to think that you could tell a fair bit about me from my book collection. So, my books on the subject of drinking are: 1000 Drinks! (or some such), Cocktails for Dummies: Pocket Edition (what? it was a dollar. Handy, too, when one hasn’t the patience for 1000 damn drinks.), the Esquire Handbook for Hosts and Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion (come to think of it, that was a dollar too).

It is the latter this is about. Frankly, i bought it at the annual library booksale without even opening it. Can you blame me?

Crosby Gaige’s Cocktail Guide and Ladies’ Companion:

 

I thought not.

 

It is the most rediculous and fantastic piece of writing i’ve ever owned – or read, for that matter.

My copy is as of the seventh printing (1949), and i do not think there is a better way to describe this book than to copy the title page:

Crosby Gaige’s
Cocktail Guide
and
Ladies’ Companion

Richly Embellished with Drawings
Almost from Life
by
REA IRVIN

With a Foreward in Golden Prose
by
LUCIUS BEEBE
and

A Recessional or Final Insult
Hurled at the Reader
by
LAWTON MACKALL

Published for Hussies and Homebodies
by
M. BARROWS AND COMPANY
incorporated
At the FIRESIDE PRESS
NEW YORK
1949

In a lighthearted mood the book is a fantastic (read: rediculous) read. Fortunately it is only about 1/3 actual writing. Even in a lighthearted mood more than that might weigh on one. Past that, i truly appreciate the recipes. It has a few food recipies for entertainig, none of which i’ve tried. But i’ve looked through the drink recipes, and tried a number of the whiskey ones. Primarily i like to have an “authentic” source for old fashioned drinks. It is far more interesting – and discerning – than my generic thousand drinks book.

Frankly, i’m smitten with it’s ridiculousness.

On the down side, it’s largest segment is dedicated to gin drinks. That’s really a factor of the era, but it’s a shame for me that i like classic cocktails and can’t stand gin.

Lady Brett

P.S. a note from my dictionary: “hussie” is derived from “housewife.” Hussies and homebodies, indeed!