This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
Here’s a sophisticated, citrus-forward drink: the White Lady cocktail! It’s a classic sour featuring gin and lemon with a frothy egg white topping.
Here’s a smooth, citrus forward classic cocktail with a sophisticated vibe: the White Lady cocktail! This 1920’s style sour is clear and crisp, with a refreshing flavor and a frothy egg white foam topping.
It’s super classy, perfect for a cocktail night or just sipping on the porch. Alex and I have been working our way through great cocktails, and this is one is a standout. Plus, we’re huge fans of sour cocktails, so it’s right up our alley.
Ingredients in a White Lady cocktail
The White Lady is a classic cocktail that’s part of the sour cocktails family: mixed drinks made of liquor, citrus, and sweetener. It’s also called a Delilah or Chelsea Sidecar. It’s like a gin version of a Sidecar, and it’s often served with an egg white foam.
It was invented back in the 1920’s, either at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris or the Savoy Hotel in London (both claim it!). The White Lady is actually on the list of International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails. This means that there’s an “official” definition, which is:
- Gin
- Triple sec or Cointreau (orange liqueur)
- Lemon juice
The egg white foam topping is optional and not included in the official definition, but it’s a popular way to serve it, adding a rich and creamy texture. This makes the White Lady similar to a Gin Fizz (with the addition of orange liqueur).
How to make a White Lady: basic steps
The White Lady is made like any classic sour cocktail: you’ll do a special “dry shake” to make for the best frothy egg white foam. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe):
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker. Shake for 15 seconds without ice.
- Add ice to the cocktail shaker and shake again for 30 seconds.
- Strain into a glass and the foam will rise to the top. You can garnish with either a lemon twist or a lemon slice, or omit it altogether. (Here’s how to make a lemon twist.)
Tips for a dry shake
Bartenders have been adding egg whites to cocktail recipes since the 1920’s. Why? The foam adds a fun frothy texture on top and adds a rich, creamy flavor. The technique to get the best frothy egg white form is called a Dry Shake. We use this technique in our egg white cocktails like the Gin Fizz, Sloe Gin Fizz, Boston Sour, Tequila Sour, and Vodka Sour. Here’s how it works:
- The first shake without ice lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.
- The second shake with ice cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.
Egg white substitute
Want an egg white substitute for cocktails? Try aquafaba, the liquid that’s in a can of chickpeas. Because it’s starchy, it can work as a binder similar to an egg. See the recipe below for the exact quantities.
The glass to use for a White Lady
The White Lady cocktail is typically served in a martini glass or a cocktail glass or coupe glass. The difference is that a martini glass has angular sides, whereas the cocktail glass has curved sides.
Purists would argue if you serve it with the egg foam, you should serve it in a coupe glass because the clings to the shape better. We love the look in a martini glass (with or without foam!).
White Lady Cocktail
Here’s a sophisticated, citrus-forward drink: the White Lady cocktail! It’s a classic sour featuring gin and lemon with a frothy egg white topping.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) gin
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) Cointreau or triple sec
- 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) fresh lemon juice
- 1 egg white*
- For the garnish: Lemon twist or lemon slice
Instructions
- Add the gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake for 15 seconds.
- Add the ice to the cocktail shaker. Shake again for 30 seconds.
- Strain the drink into a martini or cocktail glass; the foam will collect at the top. Serve garnished with a lemon twist or lemon wedge.
Notes
*Substitute 2 tablespoons aquafaba (liquid from a can of chickpeas) for a vegan variation.
More sour cocktails
Sour cocktails are a family of cocktails with base liquor, sour, and sweet elements. There are all sorts of variations on a good “sour”. Here are some of our favorites:
- The classic Daiquiri is made of rum, lime juice, and sweetener. Or try the sophisticated Hemingway Daiquiri.
- The Tom Collins Cocktail is also known as a gin sour; it’s light and bubbly.
- The vibrant pink Cosmopolitan Cocktail is perfect for gatherings of all kinds, a new and improved spin using all natural cranberry juice.
- The New York Sour is a classic Whiskey Sour with a layer of red wine floated on top.
I had my first White lady with Curacao and cream, but I will try yours. Inge Cossette