Classic Clover Club Cocktail

Don’t let the Clover Club cocktail‘s vibrant pink hue fool you. It’s certainly not a cocktail meant only for the ladies. Quite the opposite, in fact! It originated in a gentlemen’s club! 

This delicious drink is neither too sweet nor overly sugary. Instead, it has a nicely balanced, tart-n-tangy flavor that’s citrusy and refreshing. 

The gin base adds a dryness and complex botanical notes to further tantalize your tastebuds. 

The Clover Club also has a wonderfully silky texture, thanks to the addition of a frothy egg white topping.

What Is a Clover Club Cocktail? 

The Clover Club cocktail isn’t as famous as other mixed drinks, like margaritas or mimosas. In fact, plenty of people have never even heard of it! 

But years ago, it was a hugely popular drink. 

It’s a tart and tangy gin-sour cocktail that’s been around since the 1880s. It takes its name from the Philadelphia gentlemen’s club that popularized it. 

Like all cocktails, it took a hit in the 20s due to Prohibition. Then, later in the 1950s, the practice of adding raw eggs to cocktails also fell out of fashion. That made it even less well-known.

People have recently begun picking up classic cocktail recipes once more. (Thanks, TikTok!) Hopefully, it’s time for the Clover Club cocktail to make a total comeback. 

It’s right up there with some of the best gin cocktails.

Ingredients 

Here are the ingredients in a modern Clover Club cocktail: 

• Gin – The Clover Club cocktail is versatile and pairs well with most gins. However, a traditional London dry gin is the classic choice. 

• Raspberry syrup – Store-bought raspberry syrup is convenient, but homemade raspberry syrup tastes superior. Simmer raspberries with sugar and water, then strain. Fun fact: The classic Clover Club cocktail didn’t use raspberry syrup. The 1909 recipe for the drink lists grenadine as the pink-hued ingredient instead. 

• Lemon juice – Stick to freshly squeezed for the best flavor. 

• Egg white – Fresh egg whites are crucial for achieving the right frothiness. If you’re concerned about the dangers of raw egg whites, use the pasteurized kind.

• Ice – Add ice only to the cocktail shake. Don’t serve the drink on the rocks. 

• Garnishes – The traditional garnishes for this drink include fresh raspberries and a lemon twist. They make the drink more visually appealing, and they’re aromatic. 

How to Make a Clover Club Cocktail 

Follow these steps to make this pretty-in-pink drink: 

1. Combine. Add the gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker. 

2. Dry shake. Vigorously shake the cocktail shaker (without ice) for about 30 seconds. This will cause the egg white to foam and froth. 

3. Shake with ice. Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake it again. Shake it for 10 to 15 seconds or until the drink is chilled. 

4. Strain, garnish, and serve. Strain the drink into a chilled cocktail glass. Add your garnishes (if using), serve, and enjoy! 

What is a Dry Shake?  

A dry shake is the practice of shaking the ingredients in the cocktail shaker without ice. This gives the egg white time to emulsify and get frothy. 

If you initially shake it with ice, the ice will melt. The water, in turn, will dilute the egg white, and it’ll get runny instead of frothy. A dry shake prevents that from happening. 

Tips and Tricks 

Here are a few final tips, tricks, and variations to make your drink perfect:

• Vary up the gin. For a slightly different taste profile, try a floral or citrus-forward gin. You can also try Plymouth Gin. It has subtle fruity undertones and a robust body.

• Shake it like a Polaroid picture! The longer and more vigorously you shake, the more frothy and airy the cocktail becomes. Don’t be afraid to give it some elbow grease!

• Fresh is best. Always opt for freshly squeezed lemon juice instead of bottled. The difference in flavor is significant.

• Have fun with fruity syrups. If raspberries are out of season, try other berry syrups like blackberry or blueberry.

• Be picky with your glassware. Traditionally, a Clover Club cocktail is served in a coupe glass. However, any stemmed cocktail glass will work.

• Give it a good strain. When straining the drink into your glass, use a fine mesh strainer. Doing so will ensure you catch any small broken ice chunks before they fall into your glass.

• Need a vegan version? Try using aquafaba instead of an egg white. The other option is to leave out the egg entirely. However, doing so will definitely change the drink’s texture. It won’t be silky or frothy on top.