White Lady

The White Lady is a classic cocktail that exudes elegance and simplicity. It is a perfectly balanced sour, combining the botanical notes of gin with the bright orange flavor of triple sec and the sharp tartness of fresh lemon juice. Often served with an egg white for a rich, creamy foam and silky texture, it is a timeless drink that remains a favorite among gin lovers. The result is a crisp, refreshing, and utterly delightful cocktail.
White Lady

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The White Lady is a classic cocktail belonging to the sour family of drinks. It is typically served as an apéritif, enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite. Its elegant presentation makes it a popular choice in cocktail bars worldwide.

Serving

The White Lady is a relatively small, potent drink served cold and straight up in a chilled coupe or martini glass. It has a significant alcohol content, making it a classic spirit-forward cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 90-120 ml / 3-4 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-29% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The drink's creation is credited to two legendary bartenders. Harry MacElhone claimed to have created it in 1919 at Ciro's Club in London, originally using crème de menthe. He later adapted the recipe at his own Harry's New York Bar in Paris in 1929 to the gin-based version known today. However, Harry Craddock of the Savoy Hotel's American Bar also claimed it, publishing the recipe in his 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book.
Origin
London, England or Paris, France, 1920s.

White Lady

The White Lady is its most common name. It is sometimes referred to as a Delilah or a Chelsea Sidecar, highlighting its relationship to the classic Sidecar cocktail but with gin as the base spirit instead of brandy.
Original name
White Lady
Alternative names
  • Delilah
  • Chelsea Sidecar

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a bright, citrus-forward flavor profile balanced by the botanical notes of gin and a touch of sweetness. The optional egg white gives it a distinctively silky texture and a creamy, frothy head.
Flavor
Citrusy, Juniper, Orange, Botanical, Lightly Sweet
Aroma
Lemon, Gin Botanicals, Orange Peel
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Tart
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Pale White, Cloudy, Frothy Head (if with egg white)
Texture
Silky, Smooth, Creamy (if with egg white)
Seasonality
Refreshing, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The White Lady is a flavor-forward drink dominated by sourness from the lemon juice, balanced by moderate sweetness and fruitiness. Its high alcohol strength is noticeable but well-integrated, with no carbonation or creaminess unless egg white is added.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need a good quality London Dry Gin, an orange liqueur like Cointreau, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. An optional egg white can be added for a classic frothy texture.
  • London Dry Gin50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A quality London Dry Gin works best to provide the classic botanical backbone.
  • Triple Sec25 ml / 0.75 oz
    Cointreau or another high-quality orange liqueur is highly recommended.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice25 ml / 0.75 oz
    Always use freshly squeezed juice for the best flavor.
  • Egg White1/2 egg white (approx. 15 ml / 0.5 oz)(optional)
    Adds a silky texture and frothy head. Can be substituted with aquafaba for a vegan version. Use pasteurized egg white for safety.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

The primary equipment needed is a cocktail shaker to combine, chill, and aerate the ingredients. You will also need a jigger for measuring and a strainer to pour the finished drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling the ingredients.
  • Jigger or measuring cup for accurate pouring.
  • Strainer (Hawthorne and fine mesh) for a smooth pour.
  • Citrus juicer for fresh lemon juice.

Instructions

The process involves a 'dry shake' to emulsify the optional egg white, followed by a 'wet shake' with ice to chill and dilute. The drink is then double-strained into a chilled coupe glass and garnished.
1. Chill your coupe or martini glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Add the gin, triple sec, fresh lemon juice, and optional egg white to a cocktail shaker.
3. If using egg white, perform a 'dry shake' (shake without ice) for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a rich foam.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and perform a 'wet shake' (shake with ice) vigorously for another 15 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled glass.
6. Double strain the cocktail into the chilled glass using a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer to catch any ice shards or citrus pulp.
7. Garnish with a lemon twist by expressing the oils over the surface of the drink before dropping it in.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish for a White Lady. The citrus oils expressed over the drink add a bright, aromatic dimension that complements the cocktail's flavors.
  • Lemon Twist: Express the oils over the drink and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally caffeine-free, dairy-free, and gluten-free. If made without the optional egg white, it becomes vegan, vegetarian, and egg-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✕ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A standard White Lady contains around 220 calories, primarily from the alcohol and the sugar in the triple sec. Its carbohydrate and sugar content are moderate for a classic cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 200-240 kcal / 837-1004 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-15 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 9-14 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This elegant cocktail is perfect for sophisticated gatherings, cocktail parties, or as a classic apéritif before a fine dinner. Its celebratory nature also makes it suitable for special occasions and elegant evenings.
  • Cocktail Party
  • Pre-dinner Drink
  • Celebration
  • Elegant Evening

Pairing suggestions

The crisp, citrusy profile of the White Lady pairs wonderfully with light appetizers. It cuts through the richness of seafood and complements the saltiness of olives or nuts, making it an excellent pre-dinner drink.
  • Seafood appetizers like oysters or shrimp cocktail
  • Light canapés
  • Salty nuts or olives
  • Goat cheese

The White Lady: An Ode to Elegant Simplicity

The White Lady is a timeless gin sour that masterfully balances botanicals, citrus, and sweetness. Its elegant, pale appearance is matched by a crisp and refreshing taste, making it a quintessential classic cocktail. Whether served with or without the traditional egg white for a silky foam, it remains a sophisticated choice for any occasion. A true icon from the Prohibition era, the White Lady is a testament to the beauty of a well-crafted, simple drink.

Similar Cocktails

Sidecar

The original template for the White Lady, using Cognac or brandy as the base spirit instead of gin.

Kamikaze

Uses vodka instead of gin, creating a cleaner, less botanical flavor profile.

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