Clover Club

Instructions

1. Chill your coupe glass by filling it with ice or placing it in the freezer.

2. Add gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, fresh raspberries, and egg white to your shaker.

3. Perform a 'dry shake': Seal the shaker without ice and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white, creating a rich foam.

4. Add ice cubes to the shaker, filling it about three-quarters full.

5. Perform a 'wet shake': Seal the shaker again and shake hard for another 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is well-chilled.

6. Double strain the mixture into the chilled coupe glass. Use both a Hawthorne strainer and a fine-mesh strainer to catch raspberry seeds and ice shards for a smooth texture.

7. Garnish with a fresh raspberry.

Trivia

• What does a Clover Club taste like?

  A Clover Club offers a balanced flavour profile. It's slightly sweet from the raspberry syrup, tart from the fresh lemon juice, and has botanical notes from the gin. The egg white doesn't add flavour but contributes a silky, creamy texture and a beautiful frothy head, making it exceptionally smooth.

• What is the history of the Clover Club cocktail?

  The Clover Club cocktail originated in the late 19th or early 20th century at a Philadelphia men's club of the same name. It was a popular pre-Prohibition drink enjoyed by writers, lawyers, and businessmen. Despite falling out of favour for a time, it has experienced a significant resurgence during the classic cocktail revival.

• Is the egg white in a Clover Club safe to drink?

  Using raw egg white in cocktails is a traditional practice that creates a unique texture. While there's a small risk associated with raw eggs, using fresh, high-quality eggs significantly minimizes it. You can also use pasteurized egg whites available in cartons for added peace of mind. The alcohol and citrus juice also help to inhibit bacterial growth.

• What type of gin is best for a Clover Club?

  A classic London Dry gin works beautifully in a Clover Club, providing a solid juniper backbone that complements the fruit and citrus. However, you can experiment with more contemporary or floral gins to add different nuances. Choose a gin you enjoy drinking, as its flavour will be prominent.

• Can I make a Clover Club without egg white?

  Yes, you can make a Clover Club without egg white, though it will lack the signature silky texture and frothy head. Alternatively, you can use aquafaba (the liquid from canned chickpeas) as a vegan substitute, using about 2 cl per drink, to achieve a similar frothy effect.

• Why is the Clover Club pink?

  The beautiful pink hue of the Clover Club comes from the raspberry component. Traditionally, this was raspberry syrup, but modern variations often use fresh muddled raspberries or grenadine (though raspberry provides a more authentic flavour). The vibrant colour adds to the drink's visual appeal.