A white lady cocktail is a classic gin drink made with Cointreau and lemon juice for a refreshing and elegant finish. This sweet and sour beverage can be enjoyed at brunch or as an aperitif before dinner (or whenever you like)! If you fancy yourself a gin connoisseur, the white lady cocktail is a must-try!
White Lady Gin Cocktail
The White Lady cocktail is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed by cocktail enthusiasts for over a century. Its simple yet sophisticated combination of gin, Cointreau, and lemon juice makes it a refreshing and elegant drink that has stood the test of time.
In this recipe, we will delve into the history of the White Lady cocktail, explore its ingredients and preparation methods, and offer tips on how to make the perfect White Lady at home.
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🌎 Origin
The origin of the White Lady cocktail is somewhat debated, but it is generally believed to have been created in the early 20th century. One story suggests that the cocktail was first created by a bartender named Harry MacElhone at the Ciro's Club in London in the 1910s or 1920s.
MacElhone later became the proprietor of Harry's New York Bar in Paris, where the White Lady became a popular drink among the American expat community.
Another story suggests that the White Lady was created by a bartender named Ada Coleman, who worked at the Savoy Hotel in London in the early 1900s. According to this story, Coleman created the cocktail for a customer who requested a drink that was "pure and white as a maiden's soul."
Regardless of its exact origin, the White Lady has become a classic cocktail and remains popular to this day. It has also inspired many variations, including the addition of egg white for a frothier texture, or the use of other citrus fruits such as lime or grapefruit instead of lemon.
🍹 White Lady Cocktail Ingredients
If you have gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon, you have everything you need! I highly recommend fresh lemon juice, the flavor of bottled juice just doesn't compare.
- Ice - Enough to fill a shaker.
- Gin - 2 ounces of gin. Ideally, a London dry gin with high alcohol content.
- Cointreau - 1 ounce of Cointreau (triple sec could be used in a pinch, but won't have the same great flavor).
- Lemon Juice - 1 ounce of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Lemon Twist - A lemon twist or peel for garnish.
*Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*
🍸 How To Make A White Lady Cocktail
There are no fancy tricks or tools needed for this recipe. You're just a shake away from a tasty gin cocktail!
- Ice. Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the ingredients. Add the gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake. Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain. Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish and serve. Garnish with a lemon twist or peel.
If you are feeling extra fancy, you can always swipe the edge of the glass with lemon juice and give it a sugar rim. It's just a personal preference because this cocktail is super tasty without it! Enjoy!
🥂 Cocktail Tips & Variations
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously to ensure that the ingredients are well-mixed and the cocktail is cold.
- Use good quality gin for the best taste. The gin should be a London Dry style gin with high alcohol content.
- Use Cointreau instead of triple sec or any other orange liqueur for a better flavor.
- Chill the cocktail glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold for longer.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and Cointreau to your personal taste preferences. You can also add a splash of simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
🍲 Foods To Serve With
If you're looking for some recipes to pair with your white lady cocktails at your next dinner party, you can't go wrong with any of these elegant classics.
>>>>See all of my recipes here<<<<
❓ Recipe FAQs
The best gin for a white lady cocktail is a London dry-style gin (ideally with a high abv%). You can never go wrong with Bombay Sapphire, Fords, Beefeater, Sipsmith, Hendricks, or Tanquerey.
The egg is optional for an extra frothy drink. Add a single egg white to the dry (no ice) cocktail shaker with the other ingredients and shake to emulsify the egg. Then, add the ice, shake, and finish as directed above!
A white lady cocktail is smooth with a tart citrus flavor from lemon juice and the light botanical flavors of gin, plus a slight sweetness from the Cointreau. Overall, it's a bright and refreshing cocktail with a kick.
🍷 More Tasty Cocktails
- Sidecar Cocktail - A classic cocktail made with cognac and triple sec that is perfect for sipping.
- Whiskey Sour Cocktail - This is the go-to cocktail for many whiskey lovers because it has a perfectly balanced sweet and sour flavor.
- Sea Breeze Cocktail - Vodka, cranberry juice, and grapefruit juice come together in this tart and refreshing cocktail.
- Royal Hawaiian Cocktail - The lovely lavender color of this drink comes from Empress 1908 gin!
- Hot Toddy - A warm and comforting cocktail made with whiskey, lemon juice, hot water, and honey.
- Appletini - This vibrant green cocktail tastes like a sour candy apple!
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📖 Recipe Card
White Lady Cocktail
Ingredients
- ice
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz Cointreau
- 1 oz lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- lemon twist (optional, garnish)
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice to the shaker.
- Shake vigorously for about 10-15 seconds.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist or peel.
Notes
- Use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice.
- Shake the cocktail vigorously to ensure that the ingredients are well-mixed and the cocktail is cold.
- Use good quality gin for the best taste. The gin should be a London Dry style gin with high alcohol content.
- Use Cointreau instead of triple sec or any other orange liqueur for a better flavor.
- Chill the cocktail glass before serving to keep the cocktail cold for longer.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and Cointreau to your personal taste preferences. You can also add a splash of simple syrup if you prefer a sweeter cocktail.
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