The White Lady is an elegant and sophisticated drink that blends gin, orange liqueur, fresh lemon juice, and egg white into a perfectly balanced harmony. It’s a dry and well-rounded cocktail where the bright citrus notes meet the aromatic botanicals of gin, creating a light, refreshing experience with a subtly tart finish. The egg white smooths everything out, adding a silky texture that makes each sip effortlessly refined. The White Lady is a timeless classic, often enjoyed as an aperitif.
History
The White Lady dates back to 1919 and is credited to Harry MacElhone, the renowned bartender at Ciro’s Club in London. A decade later, he refined the recipe at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, giving it its final, modern form. The cocktail quickly gained popularity across Europe and America, securing its place among the great classics of mixology. Interestingly, Japan remains one of the few countries where it never truly caught on, as many mixologists there still avoid using egg white in cocktails.
Ingredients
1¾ oz (50 ml) gin
⅔ oz (20 ml) Cointreau orange liqueur (or triple sec)
⅔ oz (20 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 egg white (optional)
How to Make a White Lady Cocktail
Add all the ingredients to a shaker. If you’re using egg white, shake without ice first to blend it thoroughly and create a smooth texture. Next, add ice and shake vigorously until the mixture is well chilled and a creamy foam forms. Finally, strain into a pre-chilled cocktail glass for a perfectly smooth finish.
Serving and Garnish
The White Lady is traditionally served in a coupe or martini glass. For garnish, place a thin spiral of lemon peel on the rim of the glass. However, this cocktail is elegant enough to stand on its own without any decoration.
Calorie Content
A single serving of a White Lady cocktail contains roughly 180 calories. The calorie count mainly depends on the amount of gin and orange liqueur used.