Clover Club
The Clover Club is a sophisticated and elegant pre-Prohibition cocktail with a beautiful pink hue and a rich, creamy head. It perfectly balances the botanicals of gin with the tartness of fresh lemon juice and the sweet, fruity flavor of raspberry syrup. The inclusion of egg white gives the drink a luxurious, velvety texture that is its defining characteristic. It is a timeless classic that appeals to both seasoned cocktail enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Preparation
Preparation time: 6 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Clover Club is a classic, pre-Prohibition cocktail, celebrated for its rich history and unique texture. It falls into the "sours" category of drinks, balanced with a spirit, citrus, and a sweetener. Its use of egg white also places it among frothy, emulsified cocktails.
Serving
This drink is served straight up, well-chilled, in a classic coupe or cocktail glass. Its alcohol content is moderate, making it a balanced and approachable cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 120-150 ml / 4-5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-18% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe or Cocktail glass
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
The drink is named after a men's club of the same name, which met at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia from the 1880s until the 1920s. The Clover Club was a group of prominent journalists, lawyers, and businessmen who enjoyed this signature libation. It was an immensely popular cocktail in its heyday but fell into obscurity for many years before being revived in the modern craft cocktail movement.
Origin
Philadelphia, USA, late 19th century. The first printed recipe appeared in the New York Press in 1901.
Clover Club
The drink is consistently known as the Clover Club. Historically, its recipe was sometimes conflated with the Pink Lady, but modern recipes clearly distinguish the two cocktails, with the Clover Club being defined by its use of raspberry syrup.
Original name
Clover Club
Alternative name
Pink Lady (historically, though now distinct)
Characteristics overview
The Clover Club offers a delightful balance of tart citrus and sweet raspberry, with gin's botanical notes providing a complex backbone. Its most notable characteristic is the luxurious, silky, and creamy texture created by the shaken egg white.
Flavor
Fruity, Tart, Botanical, Silky, Sweet
Aroma
Raspberry, Juniper, Lemon, Floral
Taste balance
Sweet, Sour
Aftertaste
Clean, Fruity, Lingering
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, Pink, Foamy white top
Texture
Smooth, Creamy, Frothy, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season, Spring, Summer
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is moderately intense, led by a bright fruitiness and sourness, complemented by a rich creaminess. The alcohol presence is well-integrated and not overpowering, and the drink is entirely still with no carbonation.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
You will need a base of London Dry Gin, balanced with fresh lemon juice and raspberry syrup. An egg white is crucial for the signature foamy texture, with an optional splash of dry vermouth for added depth.
- London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 ozA classic London Dry Gin works best to cut through the other ingredients.
- Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 ozFreshly squeezed is essential for the best flavor.
- Raspberry Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 ozCan be store-bought or homemade by combining equal parts sugar, water, and fresh raspberries.
- Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz (about one half of a large egg white)Use pasteurized egg white for safety. Aquafaba can be used as a vegan substitute.
- Dry Vermouth7.5 ml / 0.25 oz(optional)An optional addition in many modern recipes to add a layer of dry, herbaceous complexity.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
A standard cocktail shaker set is required for this drink. A fine-mesh strainer is highly recommended to ensure a perfectly smooth foam by catching any ice shards.
- Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate pouring
- Strainer (Hawthorne and Fine-mesh) for a smooth pour
Instructions
The key to this drink is the two-step shaking process: a dry shake without ice to build foam, followed by a wet shake with ice to chill and dilute. Double-straining is essential for a perfectly smooth texture.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker without ice.
3. Perform a "dry shake": seal the shaker and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.
4. Open the shaker, fill it with cubed ice, and seal it again.
5. Perform a "wet shake": shake hard for another 10-15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
7. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to ensure a smooth, velvety texture.
8. Let the drink rest for a moment to allow the foam to settle and form a distinct layer.
9. Garnish with three fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick laid across the rim of the glass.
Garnishing
A simple garnish of fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick is traditional and complements the drink's flavor. Alternatively, a single raspberry floated on the foam can be used.
- Fresh Raspberries: Skewer three fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick and rest it on the rim of the glass.
Dietary Information
This cocktail is vegetarian but not vegan due to the use of egg white, and it is not suitable for those with egg allergies. It is naturally free from dairy, gluten, nuts, soy, and caffeine.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
The drink has a moderate calorie and sugar content, primarily from the raspberry syrup. The total carbohydrates are also moderate, making it a relatively balanced treat.
Calories
Averagely 230-260 kcal / 960-1090 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 14-17 g
Sugar level
Occasions
With its elegant appearance and sophisticated flavor profile, the Clover Club is perfect for cocktail parties, celebrations, and romantic evenings. It also serves as an excellent aperitif before a meal, especially during warmer spring and summer months.
- Cocktail party
- Pre-dinner drink
- Celebratory toast
- Spring or Summer gathering
- Date night
Pairing suggestions
The Clover Club's balance of tart and sweet makes it a versatile pairing partner. It works well with light, savory appetizers and salads that won't overpower its delicate flavors. Salty snacks also provide a pleasant contrast to the drink's fruity notes.
- Light appetizers like goat cheese crostini
- Salads with vinaigrette dressing
- Salty snacks like almonds or olives
- White fish or poultry dishes
Clover Club: A Silky, Sophisticated Classic
The Clover Club is a quintessential classic cocktail that offers a journey through history with every sip. Its striking pink appearance and creamy foam make it visually appealing, while the flavor profile is a sophisticated blend of botanical gin, zesty lemon, and sweet raspberry. The velvety texture provided by the egg white elevates it from a simple sour to a luxurious experience. Perfect for any occasion that calls for a touch of elegance, the Clover Club is a rewarding cocktail to master and enjoy.
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