The Pink Lady cocktail is a sweet and frothy cocktail that has been a favorite of many cocktail enthusiasts for decades. The color is divine and the taste is even better!
The Pink Lady cocktail has a rich history that dates back to the Prohibition era. During this time, cocktails were often made with sweet ingredients to mask the taste of bootlegged alcohol.
Like most prohibition-era cocktails, who knows when or where it was actually invented, but it was the go-to cocktail from 1930s to 1950s with the high-society crowd.
It appears in 1951 in The Bartender’s Book by Jack Townsend, the president of New York’s Bartender’s Union, where he described its drinker as “Why, surely you know her. She’s that nice little girl who works in files, who’s always so courteous but always seems so timid…Naturally you never expected to see her at a bar. She gets into one about twice a year, at Christmas time or some other high old time.”
Elsie de Wolfe, the interior designer and another society dame in her own right, is sometimes attributed to the invention of the Pink Lady. There was also a Broadway show of the same name which opened on in 1911. It was also known as the Pink Shimmy! So who knows how it started really!
Where to find ingredients for Pink Lady cocktail
You can find all the ingredients at Spirits Kiosk (10% off the entire site by quoting this code: ALushLife10SK.) in the UK; or Saucey.com in the USA!
What goes into a Pink Lady?
To make a Pink Lady cocktail, it is important to use the right ingredients. The cocktail should be made with fresh lemon juice, pasteurized eggs, and a good quality gin. The cocktail should also be shaken vigorously in a cocktail shaker to create a frothy texture. The Pink Lady cocktail recipe is a timeless classic that is perfect for any occasion.
- Gin: London Dry gin used most commonly in Pink Lady cocktails. Make sure you use a premium gin always!
- Applejack (US) or Apple Brandy: The applejack is a type of brandy that is distilled from apples. It adds a sweet and fruity flavor to the cocktail.
- Grenadine: This combination of pomegranate juice and sugar is so easy to make at home! I have a great recipe for homemade Grenadine! It gives the cocktail its signature pink color and a sweet, fruity taste.
- Fresh Lemon Juice: The lemon juice provides a tangy and acidic taste that balances out the sweetness of the grenadine.
- Egg white: The egg white is an optional ingredient that adds a frothy texture to the cocktail. It is also known for smoothing out the flavors of the other ingredients.
- Maraschino Cherry: I am not a cherry snob, so use whichever you like. If you are using, a brandied cherry, you can find brandied cherries at most liquor stores or online, or you can make your own by soaking cherries in brandy for a few days.
What tools you need to make the Pink Lady
You’ll need a cocktail shaker for this classic cocktail! Grab a jigger, a barspoon, a strainer, and a cocktail glass or this Pink Lady recipe.
Steps
1. Add all ingredients into a cocktail shaker without ice and “dry” shake for five to eight seconds to whip the egg, making sure to hold the shaker tight so it doesn’t come apart.
2. Then add ice and shake again until well-chilled.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish with a brandied cherry.
It’s important to note that the egg white is a key ingredient in this cocktail, as it gives the drink the foamy head. However, it’s important to use caution when working with raw eggs. Make sure to use fresh, high-quality eggs and to wash your hands and equipment thoroughly before and after handling them.
Additionally, a cocktail shaker is an essential tool for making a Pink Lady. It allows you to mix the ingredients together thoroughly and to create the foam on top of the drink.
Variations of the Pink Lady Cocktail
While the original recipe includes gin, applejack, lemon juice, grenadine, and egg white, there are several variations of this cocktail that are just as delicious. Here are a few variations of the Pink Lady cocktail:
Sweet Pink Lady
The Sweet Pink Lady is a variation of the classic Pink Lady cocktail that is perfect for those who love sweet cocktails. By adding a teaspoon of simple syrup, it ups the sweetness quotiant!
Brandy Pink Lady
The Brandy Pink Lady is a variation of the classic Pink Lady cocktail that is made with brandy instead of gin. This cocktail is perfect for those who prefer brandy over gin.
Clover Club
The Clover Club is a variation of the Pink Lady cocktail that is made with raspberry syrup instead of grenadine. This cocktail is named after the Clover Club, a private men’s club in Philadelphia that was popular in the early 1900s. The Clover Club cocktail is made with gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white. See recipe below!
Tips for Making the Perfect Pink Lady
- For those looking to add some botanicals to their Pink Lady cocktail, a few drops of orange blossom water can be a great addition. This will give the drink a subtle floral aroma and add some fruit-forward depth to the flavor profile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a Pink Lady cocktail without egg white?
Yes! However, the egg white is what gives the cocktail its frothy texture, so the texture will be different without it. You can substitute the egg white with aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas, or use a vegan egg white substitute.
Can I make a Pink Lady cocktail ahead of time?
No, you should not make it ahead of time. The frothy texture of the cocktail will dissipate over time, so it’s best to make the cocktail fresh and serve it immediately.
What kind of glass should I use for a Pink Lady cocktail?
A Pink Lady is traditionally served in a chilled cocktail glass, like a martini glass or a coupe. The wide rim of the glass allows the frothy texture of the cocktail to be showcased.
Where to find more classic gin cocktail recipes
Here are a few of my favorites:
- How to Make a Great Negroni
- How to Make the Dry Gin Martini
- How to Make the Gin Sour
- How to Make a Tom Collins
Plus more sour cocktail recipes here
Here is the recipe!
Pink Lady
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce applejack
- 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce grenadine
- 1 small egg white
- Maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a shaker without ice and shake as hard as you can
- Then add ice and shake again
- Strain into a cocktail glass
- Garnish with a few marachino cherries
Nutrition
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