White Lily Cocktail

The White Lily Cocktail is an elegant and refreshing classic from the Prohibition era. It's a sophisticated gin-based sour, often compared to a Sidecar but with gin as the base spirit. The combination of gin, orange liqueur, and lemon juice creates a beautifully balanced drink. What truly sets it apart is the absinthe rinse, which adds a complex, aromatic layer of anise that elevates it beyond a simple sour.
White Lily Cocktail

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The White Lily is a classic cocktail that belongs to the sour family of drinks. Sours are characterized by a base spirit, a citrus element, and a sweetener. Its inclusion in the 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book cements its status as a historical classic from the Prohibition era.

Serving

This cocktail is served "straight up" (without ice) in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass. An absinthe rinse provides a distinctive aromatic quality, enhancing the overall experience.
Serving size
Approximately 90 ml / 3 oz (plus dilution)
Alcohol content
Approximately 25-28% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Coupe
Glass treatment
Chilled and rinsed with absinthe

Backstory

The White Lily first appeared in Harry Craddock's influential "The Savoy Cocktail Book" in 1930. It is considered a classic of its time, perfectly showcasing the popular sour formula (spirit, citrus, sweetener). Its inclusion in such a prestigious and definitive cocktail book secured its place in history, even if it remains one of the lesser-known gems from that collection today.
Origin
London, England, circa the 1920s or 1930s. Its first known documented appearance is in The Savoy Cocktail Book, published in 1930.

White Lily Cocktail

The drink is sometimes spelled with a double 'L' as "White Lilly Cocktail," likely as a simple variation over time. The name evokes the cocktail's pale, elegant appearance, reminiscent of the delicate white flower. There are no other widely recognized alternative names for this classic.
Original name
White Lily Cocktail
Alternative names
  • White Lilly Cocktail
  • Lilly Cocktail

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a bright, citrus-forward flavor balanced by gin's botanicals and a distinct anise aroma from the absinthe. The texture is silky smooth, and the aftertaste is remarkably clean and crisp.
Flavor
Citrusy, Herbal, Anise, Orange, Botanical
Aroma
Aromatic, Anise, Lemon Peel, Juniper
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Crisp, Lingering Anise
Fizziness
None
Color appearance
Pale Yellow, Cloudy, Translucent
Texture
Smooth, Silky
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery, Year-round

Flavor intensity & Experience

The drink's flavor profile is intense and refreshing, dominated by a sharp sourness from the lemon and complex botanical notes from the gin and absinthe. A moderate sweetness and alcohol strength provide a well-rounded balance.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This cocktail requires three core ingredients: gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice. A dash of absinthe is essential for rinsing the glass to impart its characteristic aroma.
  • London Dry Gin45 ml / 1.5 oz
    A classic London Dry style gin works best to provide a solid juniper backbone.
  • Cointreau22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Other high-quality triple sec or orange liqueurs can be substituted.
  • Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • Absinthe1 dash / for rinse
    Used to rinse the glass. Pastis can be used as a substitute if absinthe is unavailable.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

Standard cocktail-making equipment is needed, including a shaker to chill and combine the ingredients, a jigger for precise pours, and two types of strainers for a perfectly smooth result.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling
  • Jigger for accurate measurement
  • Hawthorne strainer for primary straining
  • Fine-mesh strainer for double straining

Instructions

The process involves preparing an absinthe-rinsed glass, shaking the main ingredients with ice until thoroughly chilled, and then double-straining into the prepared glass for a smooth finish.
1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.
2. Once chilled, discard the ice. Add a small amount of absinthe to the glass, swirl it around to coat the entire inner surface, then discard the excess liquid.
3. Combine the gin, Cointreau, and freshly squeezed lemon juice in a cocktail shaker.
4. Fill the shaker with cubed ice and seal it tightly.
5. Shake vigorously for about 12-15 seconds, until the outside of the shaker is well-frosted.
6. Double-strain the contents of the shaker through a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer into the prepared, absinthe-rinsed glass.
7. Take a lemon peel, twist it over the drink's surface to express its oils, and then drop it into the glass as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon twist is the classic garnish. Expressing the oils from the peel over the drink's surface before dropping it in adds a final layer of bright citrus aroma.
  • Lemon twist, expressed over the drink

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens such as dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. As it is made from distilled spirits and plant-based ingredients, it is suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail contains a moderate number of calories, derived from both the alcohol and the sugar in the Cointreau. It is relatively low in carbohydrates and sugar compared to more fruit-heavy drinks.
Calories
Approximately 180-200 kcal / 753-837 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 9-11 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The White Lily is an excellent aperitif, perfect for stimulating the palate before a meal. Its sophisticated character makes it ideal for cocktail parties and elegant gatherings. It is particularly refreshing and well-suited for warm summer evenings.
  • Aperitif
  • Cocktail Party
  • Summer Evening
  • Elegant Gatherings

Pairing suggestions

The crisp, acidic, and herbal profile of the White Lily makes it an excellent companion for seafood, particularly briny oysters and smoked salmon. It also cuts through the richness of goat cheese beautifully, making it a great choice alongside a light salad or cheese board before dinner.
  • Oysters
  • Light Seafood Appetizers
  • Goat Cheese Salad
  • Smoked Salmon Blinis

The White Lily: A Forgotten Classic in Full Bloom

The White Lily Cocktail is a criminally underrated classic from the legendary Savoy Cocktail Book. It is a gin-based sour that stands out for its elegance, crispness, and perfect balance of flavors. Often seen as a gin-based cousin to the Sidecar, its defining feature is the aromatic absinthe rinse, which imparts a beautiful and complex layer of anise. This sophisticated and refreshing drink is a fantastic choice for gin lovers seeking to explore historical cocktails beyond the everyday standards.

Similar Cocktails

Sidecar

Uses brandy or cognac as the base spirit instead of gin and often features a sugared rim.

White Lady

Very similar recipe, but traditionally includes egg white for a frothy texture and omits the absinthe rinse.

Corpse Reviver No. 2

A very close relative that shares gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and an absinthe rinse, but also includes Lillet Blanc.

Margarita

Follows a similar sour template but uses tequila as the base spirit and lime juice instead of lemon.

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