Ingredients
- .5 oz Egg White
- 1.5 oz Gin
- .5 oz Triple Sec
- .5 oz Sugar Syrup
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
Instructions
- Add egg white, gin, Cointreau, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and ice to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake to combine, and strain into a glass.
- Garnish with a lemon twist
Video
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The WHITE LADY's exact origin is a bit hazy, with a few different bartenders claiming it. The most common story credits Harry MacElhone, first at Ciro's Club in London in 1919 with a different recipe, and then later in the 1920s at Harry's New York Bar in Paris, where he refined it to the gin-based version we know today. It's a true Prohibition-era survivor.
This drink is essentially a gin-based Sidecar, or more broadly, a member of the sour family. It takes the classic sour structure of spirit, citrus, and sweetener, then adds an orange liqueur for depth and an egg white for that signature creamy texture and frothy head. Think of it as a sophisticated Gin Sour with a touch more complexity.
You'd order a WHITE LADY when you want something that looks elegant but has some backbone. It's a solid choice for a pre-dinner drink or when you're looking to impress someone with your cocktail knowledge without resorting to anything too obscure. It's also a good one to whip up at home when you've got a decent gin and some fresh lemons.
What it tastes like
The first thing you hit is that bright, tart lemon, quickly followed by the juniper and botanical notes from the gin. The Triple Sec adds a sweet, citrusy counterpoint, bringing it all into balance. But the real star is the egg white, which gives the whole drink a luxurious, foamy texture that feels smooth and rich on the palate.
With 1.5 oz of gin and .5 oz of Triple Sec, you're looking at a drink that clocks in around 22-25% ABV, depending on your spirits. That puts it solidly in cocktail territory, making it roughly four to five times stronger than your average beer. It goes down easy, so treat it with respect.
The technique
Building a WHITE LADY requires a dry shake, so get your shaker ready. First, combine the egg white, gin, Triple Sec, lemon juice, and sugar syrup in your shaker without ice. Give it a vigorous dry shake for about 15-20 seconds to emulsify that egg white. Then, add ice and shake again until well-chilled, about another 15 seconds. Double strain it into a chilled coupe glass.
The single most important thing here is that dry shake. Don't skip it. It's what creates that thick, stable foam and silky mouthfeel. A few lazy shakes won't cut it; really go for it to get that egg white properly frothed.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Gin
- Use
- A good London Dry gin with a strong juniper backbone. Think Beefeater, Tanqueray, or Plymouth.
- Skip
- Heavily floral or overly sweet gins. Save the cucumber gin for something else.
- Why
- Gin is the foundation. Its botanicals need to stand up to the lemon and orange without getting lost or overwhelming the balance.
Triple Sec
- Use
- Cointreau is the gold standard here. Its dry, intense orange flavor is what you want.
- Skip
- Cheap, overly sweet orange liqueurs that taste like candy. They'll throw off the drink's balance.
- Why
- This isn't just a sweetener; it adds a crucial layer of bitter orange complexity and rounds out the citrus.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Sidecar
- The Brandy-Based Cousin
- Swap the gin for Cognac or another quality brandy, and you've got yourself a classic Sidecar. Same bright citrus, different base spirit.
Blue Lady
- A Colorful Twist
- Replace the Triple Sec with Blue Curaçao for a vibrant blue hue. The flavor is similar, but the look is entirely different.
Clover Club
- Raspberry's Calling
- A close relative, the Clover Club uses gin, lemon, and egg white, but swaps the Triple Sec for raspberry syrup. It's fruitier and a touch sweeter.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
You can skip it for a Gin Sour, or use aquafaba (chickpea brine) for a vegan foam.
Vodka works if you're not a gin fan, but it won't be a WHITE LADY. Tequila makes a Margarita.
Use another orange liqueur like Grand Marnier (use less, it's sweeter) or even orange juice with extra sugar syrup in a pinch.
A jar with a tight-fitting lid works just fine. Just make sure it's sealed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a WHITE LADY?
A WHITE LADY contains gin, Triple Sec, lemon juice, sugar syrup, and an egg white.
Why is it called a WHITE LADY?
The name comes from its pale, opaque appearance and the frothy white head created by the egg white.
Is a WHITE LADY strong?
Yes, it's a potent drink. Expect it to be about four to five times stronger than your average beer, so sip accordingly.
What glass for a WHITE LADY?
It's traditionally served in a chilled coupe glass, but a martini glass also works.
Do you need egg white in a WHITE LADY?
While optional, the egg white gives the drink its signature silky texture and foamy head. Without it, you have a Gin Sour.
What's the difference between a WHITE LADY and a Sidecar?
The main difference is the base spirit: a WHITE LADY uses gin, while a Sidecar uses brandy.
What's the difference between a WHITE LADY and a Gin Sour?
A Gin Sour is gin, lemon, and sugar. The WHITE LADY adds Triple Sec for extra orange complexity and an egg white for texture.
Can I make a WHITE LADY without gin?
You can, but it won't be a WHITE LADY anymore. If you prefer vodka, you're making something more like a 'Vodka Sour with orange liqueur'.
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