Delilah Cocktail

The Delilah is a sophisticated and elegant classic cocktail from the Prohibition era. It masterfully balances the botanical notes of dry gin with the sweet orange of Cointreau and the sharp tang of fresh lime juice. The addition of egg white (optional but highly recommended) gives it a wonderfully rich, creamy texture and a frothy head, making each sip a luxurious experience.
Delilah Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Delilah is classified as a classic cocktail, belonging to the sour family of drinks. Its formula of spirit, citrus, and sweetener places it firmly in this traditional category. It is served as an aperitif, enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Serving

This drink is served 'straight up' (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. It is a moderately strong, cold cocktail with a distinctive frothy top and velvety texture.
Serving size
Approximately 120 ml / 4 oz (before dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 22-25% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Delilah was created by the legendary bartender Harry MacElhone at Ciro's Club in London in 1925. It is considered the original version of his more famous creation, the White Lady. MacElhone later adapted the recipe at his own Harry's New York Bar in Paris, simply by swapping the lime juice for lemon juice, and the White Lady was born.
Origin
The Delilah Cocktail originated in London, England, in 1925. It was created by bartender Harry MacElhone during his tenure at Ciro's Club before he moved to Paris.

Delilah Cocktail

The Delilah Cocktail does not have any widely recognized alternative names. It is sometimes mentioned in relation to its more famous successor, the White Lady, but is consistently referred to by its original name in classic cocktail literature.
Original name
Delilah Cocktail

Characteristics overview

The Delilah presents a bright, sour-forward flavor profile balanced by gin's botanicals and Cointreau's sweetness, with a luxurious, silky texture from the egg white. Its aroma is fresh and inviting, combining notes of zesty lime and juniper.
Flavor
Citrusy, botanical, orange, crisp, slightly sweet
Aroma
Gin botanicals, juniper, fresh lime, orange peel
Taste balance
Sour, sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, lingering citrus
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Opaque, pale white, creamy yellow, frothy white head
Texture
Silky, creamy, smooth, velvety, rich
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is a balanced dance of prominent sourness from the lime, moderate sweetness from the Cointreau, and a solid alcoholic backbone from the gin. Its creamy texture makes it smooth and approachable, rather than sharp or fizzy.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires four simple ingredients: a base of London Dry Gin, Cointreau for sweetness, freshly squeezed lime juice for acidity, and an optional egg white for texture.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A quality London Dry Gin with prominent juniper notes works best.
  • Cointreau30 ml / 1 oz
    Cointreau is specified in the original recipe; other high-quality triple secs can be substituted.
  • Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for the best flavor.
  • Egg White15 ml / 0.5 oz(optional)
    Adds a creamy texture and frothy head. Can be omitted, or substituted with aquafaba for a vegan version. Use pasteurized egg whites for safety.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and both a Hawthorne and a fine strainer (for double-straining) to prepare this drink.
  • Cocktail shaker to combine and chill ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring tool for accurate proportions.
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice after shaking.
  • Fine mesh strainer to ensure a smooth texture.

Instructions

The key to this recipe 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 the drink. Double straining ensures a perfectly smooth, velvety texture in the final cocktail.
1. Chill your coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the gin, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a 'dry shake': seal the shaker without ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white and creates a rich foam.
4. Open the shaker, add a generous amount of 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 very cold and frosty.
6. Empty the ice from your chilled glass.
7. Double strain the cocktail into the glass by pouring it through both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any ice shards or citrus pulp.
8. Express a lime peel over the drink's surface to release its aromatic oils, then use it as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lime twist is the classic garnish for a Delilah. Expressing the oils from the peel over the drink's surface adds a wonderful aromatic dimension.
  • Lime twist, expressed over the drink to release its oils and then dropped in or placed on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains alcohol and is not suitable for vegans or those with egg allergies due to the egg white. A vegan version can be made using aquafaba (chickpea brine) as a substitute for egg white.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail is moderately caloric, with most calories coming from the alcohol and the sugar in the Cointreau. The carbohydrate and sugar content is present but balanced by the acidity of the lime juice.
Calories
Approximately 220-240 kcal / 920-1000 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

With its elegant and refreshing character, the Delilah is perfect as a sophisticated aperitif before dinner. It is an excellent choice for cocktail parties, celebrations, or any occasion that calls for a classic and stylish drink.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Aperitif
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Celebration

Pairing suggestions

The Delilah's crisp, citrusy profile makes it an excellent aperitif. It pairs wonderfully with salty and briny foods like fresh oysters and olives, which complement its acidity. It also works well with light seafood appetizers or creamy goat cheese that contrast its sharp flavors.
  • Oysters
  • Light seafood appetizers
  • Goat cheese
  • Salty snacks like olives or Marcona almonds

Rediscovering the Delilah: A Classic Gin Sour

The Delilah Cocktail is a forgotten gem from the golden age of cocktails. As the direct ancestor of the White Lady, it offers a similar profile but with the distinct zesty kick of lime instead of lemon. This gin-based sour, balanced with Cointreau and smoothed by egg white, is a sophisticated, refreshing, and historically significant drink that deserves a place in any classic cocktail repertoire. Its elegant simplicity and delightful texture make it a timeless choice.

Similar Cocktails

White Lady

The most famous variation; it uses lemon juice instead of lime juice.

Sidecar

Follows the same sour template but uses brandy or Cognac as the base spirit and lemon juice.

Margarita

Uses tequila as the base spirit.

Clover Club

A classic gin sour that uses raspberry syrup and lemon juice instead of Cointreau and lime.

Kamikaze

A simpler sour made with vodka, triple sec, and lime juice, typically served without egg white.

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