There’s something undeniably magical about a cocktail that has survived over a century and still looks this stunning in a glass. The Clover Club Cocktail is a pre-Prohibition classic that combines gin, fresh raspberry syrup, bright lemon juice, and silky egg white into a drink that is as beautiful as it is delicious.
This pretty pink cocktail was a favorite of the Philadelphia gentlemen’s club that gave it its name back in the early 1900s. One sip and you’ll understand exactly why it never went out of style.
Whether you’re hosting a cocktail party, treating yourself to something special, or just want to make the most gorgeous drink your friends have ever seen — this is the recipe for you.
Why You’ll Love This Clover Club Cocktail
This cocktail is a showstopper in every sense. That vibrant pink color topped with a fluffy white foam? It’s absolutely irresistible and looks like something straight out of a vintage cocktail bar.
Beyond the looks, the flavor is extraordinary. You get the botanical complexity of gin, the bright tartness of lemon, the sweet-tart punch of raspberry, and then that velvety, cloud-like texture from the egg white. It’s perfectly balanced and totally addictive.
It’s also a fantastic cocktail to make for guests because it feels fancy and impressive, but once you know the shake technique, it comes together in just a few minutes.
Clover Club Cocktail Ingredients
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this gorgeous pink gin cocktail at home:
2 oz gin — A classic London dry gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray works beautifully here. The botanicals complement the raspberry perfectly.
3/4 oz fresh lemon juice — Always use fresh! Bottled lemon juice just doesn’t deliver the same bright, clean flavor.
3/4 oz raspberry syrup — You can use store-bought or make a quick homemade version by simmering equal parts fresh raspberries, sugar, and water, then straining.
1 egg white — This is what creates that gorgeous silky foam on top. Don’t skip it! If you’re avoiding raw egg, aquafaba (chickpea liquid) works as a substitute.
How to Make a Clover Club Cocktail
The secret to the perfect Clover Club is the two-shake technique. This ensures you get maximum foam without over-diluting the drink. Here’s exactly how to do it:
Step 1: Dry Shake. Add your gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ice. Seal it tightly and shake vigorously for a full 15-20 seconds. This step emulsifies the egg white and builds that beautiful foam.
Step 2: Wet Shake. Open the shaker, add a generous handful of ice, seal it back up, and shake again for another 15 seconds. This chills and dilutes the cocktail to perfection.
Step 3: Strain and Serve. Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass. The fine strainer catches any ice chips and ensures a silky smooth texture. Garnish with a fresh raspberry on the rim or a lemon twist and serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Clover Club Cocktail
Chill your glass in the freezer for at least 10 minutes before pouring. A cold glass keeps your cocktail at the perfect temperature longer and the presentation looks stunning.
Shake harder than you think you need to. The dry shake especially needs real vigor to properly aerate the egg white. Don’t be shy — really go for it!
Use room temperature egg whites if possible. They emulsify more easily than cold egg whites straight from the refrigerator.
Taste your raspberry syrup before mixing. Different brands and homemade versions vary in sweetness, so you may want to adjust the amount slightly based on your preference.
Clover Club Cocktail Variations
Once you’ve mastered the classic, there are some wonderful ways to play with this recipe:
Clover Club with Fresh Raspberries: Muddle 4-5 fresh raspberries directly in the shaker before adding the other ingredients. This gives an even more intense, fresh berry flavor that’s absolutely gorgeous.
Floral Clover Club: Swap out standard gin for a floral gin like Hendrick’s or a rose-infused gin. The floral notes play beautifully with the raspberry and lemon.
Clover Club Spritz: Pour the strained cocktail over ice in a wine glass and top with a splash of chilled prosecco for a bubbly, celebratory version.
Non-Alcoholic Version: Use a non-alcoholic gin like Seedlip Spice, keep the raspberry syrup and lemon, and use aquafaba for the egg white foam. Still gorgeous and delicious!
Serving Suggestions
The Clover Club Cocktail is a natural fit for brunch, bridal showers, garden parties, and Valentine’s Day celebrations. It’s elegant enough for formal occasions but fun enough for a casual girls’ night in.
Serve it alongside light appetizers like cucumber sandwiches, cheese boards, or smoked salmon bites. The bright acidity of the cocktail pairs beautifully with rich, creamy foods.
For a cocktail party, you can pre-batch the gin, lemon juice, and raspberry syrup ahead of time, then shake each serving individually with fresh egg white to order. Your guests will be absolutely wowed.
Clover Club Cocktail
Equipment
- Cocktail shaker
- Fine mesh strainer
- Coupe glass
- Jigger
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin London dry gin like Beefeater or Tanqueray recommended
- 3/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 3/4 oz raspberry syrup store-bought or homemade
- 1 egg white or aquafaba for egg-free version
- ice cubes for wet shake
- fresh raspberries for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. Do NOT add ice yet.
- Dry shake vigorously (without ice) for 15-20 seconds. This emulsifies the egg white and builds the beautiful foam.
- Add a generous handful of ice to the shaker and seal it again.
- Wet shake vigorously with ice for another 15 seconds to chill and dilute the cocktail perfectly.
- Double strain through a fine mesh strainer into a chilled coupe glass.
- Garnish with a fresh raspberry on the rim or a lemon twist. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Final Thoughts
The Clover Club Cocktail is proof that the best classic cocktails never really go away — they just wait for the world to rediscover them. With its stunning pink color, silky foam, and perfectly balanced flavors, this gin cocktail is genuinely one of the most beautiful drinks you can make at home.
The dry shake and wet shake technique might feel like an extra step, but trust me — that foam is absolutely worth it. Once you see that gorgeous frothy top on your coupe glass, you’ll be completely hooked.
So gather your ingredients, chill that glass, and shake up something truly special. You deserve a drink this pretty!
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