Wednesday, June 1, 2016

The White Lady Cocktail

The White Lady Cocktail

Perfect for toasting brides – past, present, and future

Wedding season is here. So you need a drink, right?

Fortunately, we have just the thing. The White Lady has a crisp, lively flavor that’s perfect for warm weather. It features a hint of sweetness, but not too much.

So it will whet your appetite for that overpriced reception dinner. And help you endure Uncle Harry. That’s our kind of white wedding.



The White Lady Cocktail

Recipe: The White Lady Cocktail

The White Lady combines gin, Cointeau, and fresh lemon juice. It’s kinda sorta like a gin Sidecar (which uses brandy as its spirit).

Many bartenders include egg white when they mix a White Lady. The egg white doesn’t add flavor, though it does give the drink more volume and a fuller body. But it’s totally optional.

This recipe takes about 5 minutes to prepare, and serves 1.

Ingredients
  • 1½ ounces dry gin
  • ¾ ounce Cointreau
  • ¾ ounce fresh-squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 egg white (optional; see Notes)
  • garnish of lemon twist (optional)
Procedure
  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a cocktail shaker half-filled with ice. Shake hard for 20 to 30 seconds until the shaker is nicely frosted.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass, preferably one that has been chilled. Garnish with a lemon twist, if desired, and serve.
The White Lady Cocktail

Notes
  • This drink is most commonly served in a cocktail glass, but it also looks great in a champagne saucer (particularly when it includes egg white).
  • When mixing any drink that contains egg white, you might want to start by putting the egg white in the shaker by itself, without ice. Shaking sans ice helps develop frothiness. Shake the egg white for 30 seconds, then add ice and proceed with Step 1.
  • Eggs carry a slight (but real) risk of salmonella. So you may want to consider using pasteurized eggs. Although it’s unlikely that the eggs you buy will be infected, why take the risk?
  • You can also use dried egg white powder. Supermarkets usually stock this in the baking aisle. As long as you thoroughly dissolve the powder in warm water before using, it works well in cocktails. 
  • BTW, when we mix this drink with egg white, we use only one white, whether we’re mixing one drink or two.
  • When a cocktail recipe specifies gin, it’s usually understood to mean dry gin. “London” dry gin is the most common style (it originally was distilled in London), but there are other styles of dry gin that are fairly similar (Plymouth gin, for example). Don’t stress about whether a particular gin is London dry. Just buy a decent dry gin with a name label.
  • The White Lady Cocktail goes by many different names. You may see it called the Delilah, the Chelsea Sidecar, the Kiernander, the Janikedvence, or Lillian Forever. Same drink, different aliases. 
  • You may also find other drinks called the “White Lady” with ingredients and recipes that differ markedly from this one. But that’s typical for the world of cocktails, where confusion reigns.
  • The version of the White Lady that we feature here derives from a drink that most likely was created by Harry MacElhone, who earned his chops at the Plaza Hotel in New York, and later founded Harry’s New York Bar in Paris. MacElhone is credited with creating several other famous drinks, including the Sidecar, the Monkey Gland, the Bloody Mary, and the French 75
  • Some cocktail historians say that MacElhone first mixed the White Lady in 1919, when he worked at Ciro’s Club in London. Originally, he used crème de menthe (which sounds awful in this drink). He later came to his senses, and replaced that with gin when he served it at Harry’s New York Bar. He also served a brandy version of the drink at one point. 
  • Other cocktail aficionados insist that the White Lady was invented by Harry Craddock at The Savoy Hotel in London. Maybe. But most people today credit the drink to MacElhone. 
  • Wherever and whenever it was created, it was a very popular drink between the world wars. It’s said to have been a favorite of comedians Laurel and Hardy. 
  • Dorothy L. Sayers’s famous sleuth Lord Peter Wimsey drinks a White Lady in her mystery novel Have His Carcase
  • In John le Carré's The Looking Glass War, spy Fred Leiser favors the White Lady as his tipple of choice.
  • Programming Note: Now that Memorial Day has come and gone, it’s time to start our annual Summer Sippin’ and Snarfin’ Series. What’s that, you ask? Well, during most of the year, we publish one cocktail recipe a month (on the first Wednesday). But when summer rolls around, we tend to up our drinks quotient – because we all get thirsty in warm weather, right? So expect to see lots more cocktail recipes through Labor Day, along with summer-appropriate food dishes. We may even post back-to-back cocktails. Skoal.
The White Lady Cocktail

My Big Fat Geek Wedding

 “Swell drink,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “This sure would help me endure a wedding reception.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Big weddings just don’t appeal to geeky folk like ourselves.”

“Which is why we got married by a judge,” said Mrs K R. “All those years ago.”

“We wanted something quiet,” I said. “With no fuss.”

“It would have worked too,” said Mrs K R. “If not for that municipal firefighters’ strike.”

“Ah, yes,” I said. “We didn’t realize they were expecting a ruling ordering them back to work on the very day our ceremony was scheduled at city hall.”

“So there we were. Just the two of us – and 100 protesting firemen,” said Mrs K R. “So much for quiet.”

“They were quite a sight in their fire hats and boots,” I said.

“I particularly liked the huge fire axes some of them were carrying,” said Mrs K R. “That was a surreal touch.”

“But we finally made it through the throng and got to the judge’s chambers,” I said.

“And we thought he was sitting behind his desk when we walked in,” said Mrs K R.

“Until he walked around, and we realized he had been standing,” I said. “He must have been the world’s shortest judge.”

“Yes, we were married by a munchkin,” said Mrs K R. “But we managed to keep our composure.”

“By not looking each other in the eye until we stepped outside,” I said.

“At which point we collapsed into giggles,” said Mrs K R.

“You have to admit, it was a fitting start to married life for the likes of us,” I said.

“Indeed,” said Mrs K R. “Looking back now, I realize it set the perfect tone. Sort of a cross between ‘The Big Lebowski’ and ‘Wizard of Oz.’”

“That memory deserves a toast,” I said, raising my glass. “To my bride, always and forever.”

“To my dear husband,” said Mrs K R, clinking her glass with mine. “Not to mention firefighters and short judges everywhere.”

You may also enjoy reading about:
The Bridal Cocktail
Sidecar Cocktail
The Monkey Gland
The Bloody Mary
The French 75
Aviation Cocktail
Champagne Cocktail
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

96 comments:

Karen Harris said...

What a beautiful drink to toast the bride and groom!

Mae Travels said...

Your cocktail ideas are always so sophisticated sounding, like a Nick and Nora Charles movie. I wonder what they drank. Ok I checked and they drank martinis. But this makes me think of them.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Karen, isn't this nice? Really tastes great -- this is a new favorite. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, yup, Nick & Nora were definitely martini types. But they'd have loved one of these. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

This looks like such a classic cocktail. I love the idea of drinking it while at a fancy event.

Coffee and Crumpets said...

OH, what a cute story! And a perfect drink to toast the newlyweds.
We also had a small wedding...as in just us and our parents. I keep telling Trace that I want a wedding now, maybe on our 25th :) I have to wait 5 years :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, this is really, really good. Definitely one I think you'd like. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Nazneen, we loved our wedding! Totally perfect for us. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Barb | Creative Culinary said...

I was recently at a vodka tasting and most of the other attendees were bartenders. While some relied on the latest craze of adding everything but the kitchen sink to their latest and greatest, I loved that the brand stuck to what I know...3 or 4 great ingredients is all a good cocktail really needs. This is the perfect example and a must try for me!

Tricia @ Saving room for dessert said...

Past, present and future - that covers them all! This is a beautiful drink - and a must try because I feel the need to give gin a second chance :) Have a lovely week!

Denise Browning said...

What an interesting name for a cocktail. It is beautiful and classy though. Cheers!!!

Vicki Bensinger said...

Interesting drink. I would have never thought to add egg whites. So is that meringue powder that you use in place of a raw egg?

savorthebestcooks@gmail.com said...

This looks lovely! We have a wedding coming up in July :)

GiGi Eats Celebrities said...

Wedding season ain't here yet for me! ;) THANK GOODNESS - I still have a lot of things to take care of!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Barb, you'll love this! Really a good drink. And I agree about the number of ingredients -- usually less is more. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Tricia, you really do need to give gin a second try. It's truly good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, isn't this a fun name? Have no idea exactly what prompted the name, but who cares! Thanks for the comment.

Gerlinde de Broekert said...

What a cute story and a special cocktail. I see if I can find one when I'm attending my niece's wedding in Germany. Prost!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Viciki, I almost always use an actual egg white in a drink like this, but sometimes use powdered egg whites. Which of course you can use to make meringues. Not sure if they're the same thing as meringue powder though (doesn't meringue powder contain cornstarch and other ingredients, whereas powdered eggs whites are just that?). Anyway, egg whites work really well in some drinks -- they add really nice texture. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, this drink is just in time for your planning. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, it'll be here before you know it, though. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Gerlinde, this is so worth trying. Really has nice flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mary @ LOVE the secret ingredient said...

Love this! The perfect way to kick off a series of more drinks. This sounds so light and refreshing!

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

You prepare and shoot the most elegant cocktails. Another winning recipe in my book and I would like a glas now. See I am tired and I read "toasting briBes" at first lol and went huh??

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mary, this has wonderful, crisp flavor. It really is extremely refreshing! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, this IS a winner! Super flavor. And briBes is pretty funny! Thanks for the comment.

Merryn said...

This is definitely elegant and You don't need a wedding to attend to have one either ... there are none on the horizon for us this year. I love your marriage story, how cute as it is often the humble weddings that go on and on, unlike the big expensive, let's get a second mortgage to pay for it type that often doesn't last. Congratulations for all of those many years ago and we will have a ginny cointreau lemon White Lady cocktail as a dinner prelude on Saturday night. Many thanks John for the recipe and your story :D

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Merryn, we had what we consider the best ever wedding. :-) This is a super drink -- you'll like it, I'm sure. Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

This is one gorgeous cocktail! I still desperately need a tutorial on making a lemon twist---you sure have the knack!!!

~~louise~~ said...

When I first started reading this post all I could think of was Billy Idol, lol...Okay, so it's been a long day and I could probably indulge in this cocktail right about now:)

My day has been brightened by yours (and Mrs. K.R's) lovely wedding story, firemen and judge included, lol...As in this cocktail, less is more when it comes to weddings but unfortunately, it doesn't always go that way:)

Thanks for sharing this cocktail with us John. I'm looking forward to all of your Summer sips and sides:)

Kushigalu said...

WOW! This cocktail looks so gorgeous. Lovely name :-)

Amanda | Chew Town said...

Wedding season is truly here - I'm getting married in a few months! This sounds like the perfect cocktail for us to serve especially given there is Gin involved.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, quick tip on making twists: cut the twist (it's easiest to do this with a channel knife). Wrap the twist tightly around a round spoon handle or chopstick. Hold each end of the twist, and push the ends towards the middle slightly (this helps set the curl). That's it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Louise, yup, I was humming White Wedding as I was taking the photos. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kushi, isn't this nice? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amanda, this would be perfect for your wedding! Are you having firemen at yours, too? :D Thanks for the comment.

Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things said...

What a beautiful drink. So elegant.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lizzy, this really does look pretty, doesn't it? Lovely drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dottie said...

Hi John,
Lovely White Lady Cocktail! I think I may like this one too..Have printed this one out...I love cool and refreshing drinks in the summer and I think the lemon must flavor it beautifully.I love lemon flavor and would love to try this one for sure. Such great info on the drink and as always love your drink recipes, so I will be looking forward to these posts all summer. You and Mrs.K Ruffs are so funny..love the banter back and forth. Have a wonderful rest of the week....
Dottie :)

Kristi @ My San Francisco Kitchen said...

My best friend just got married last weekend! What a perfect drink to celebrate :D

Anu - My Ginger Garlic Kitchen said...

Wow! I am definitely a cocktail lover and this is such a beautiful looking one. And that lemon twist is just to pretty. Would give it a try!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dottie, isn't lemon wonderful? Love it in anything, but it's particularly nice in cocktails and desserts. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kristi, let's all celebrate! :D Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

HI Anu, lemon twists dress up any drink, don't you think? And this one deserves to be dressed up! Thanks for the comment.

Lea Ann (Cooking On The Ranch) said...

You're making me want to ditch my wine glass and become more acquainted with mixed drinks. Love these posts John.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, we're mainly wine drinkers, but love to start things off with a cocktail. So many, and so many are really good. Like this one! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cheri Savory Spoon said...

Hi John, I've never heard of The White Lady before, sounds like a lovely drink. Love, love your wedding story. My husband and I were married at the courthouse too, but do not have quite the story you do. Great post.

mjskit said...

I use to be a gin & tonic person, but got bored with them after several years. Have never found another gin cocktail that really appealed to me, until now. I love Cointreau, so with gin and Cointreau this is obviously a drink for this white lady. :) Thanks for introducing me to this cocktail John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Cheri, our wedding was a hoot, wasn't it? And yes, this is a wonderful drink! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi MJ, there are some boutique tonics out there that are really worth trying. Although I know what you mean -- it's kind of a one dimensional drink. This one is wonderful -- you'll like. Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Classic flavors come together so elegantly here! GREG

Unknown said...

I like the idea of adding an egg white. And yes, sooo many weddings this time of year! I think we have almost every single weekend.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, nice, isn't it? A new fave of ours. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, egg white really adds wonderful texture to drinks. And this is a good one! Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

This is my idea of a good little cocktail, John! I love dry gin and have all the ingredients. I know what I will be having soon! :-)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, you'll enjoy this! Really good stuff. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Abbe@This is How I Cook said...

Love your wedding story! Geek wedding or not, it is always nice to remember, eh? And this cocktail is one I know I will like because I have all the ingredients on hand. And as for Skoal...I have all these flavored aquavits in my freezer where they have now been for over 1 year. I can't drink them straight so I need ideas!

Food Gal said...

I love gin-based cocktails in the summer time. So refreshing and not cloying in the least. I wonder if this will supplant Champagne for weddings? That would be a fun take on the usual affair, wouldn't it? ;)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Abbe, we're not really wedding people (not real bit on ceremony), but our wedding was such a giggle it's fun to remember. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, i doubt if anything will replace Champagne for weddings, but this would be a worthy replacement! Thanks for the comment.

All That I'm Eating said...

What a delicious drink, just perfect for a wedding.

Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen said...

I would love to give this drink a try!

Smitha said...

White lady cocktail is looking gorgeous. Pictures look professional and awesome

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Caroline, this is a good one, isn't it? Love its flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Peachy, it's definitely worth trying -- very nice flavor. Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Smitha, isn't this nice? Tastes even better than it looks! Thanks for the comment.

Ansh said...

What a wonderful toast to the bride and groom. Gorgeous cocktail as usual. I will have my groom of 10 years make me one this hot day of June!! Thank you for a wonderful post and drink.
Love

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, you'll love this! Really tasting. Happy toasting. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Hotly Spiced said...

Great wedding memories! What an elegant cocktails. Cocktails always do remind me of the Gatsby error xx

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Charlie, we had a fun wedding, didn't we? Definitely different! Thanks for the comment.

Jeff the Chef said...

As always, I love your cocktail recipes and the stories that surround them, and this one is no exception.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, this is a good one! You'd like it, I think. Thanks for the comment.

mymansbelly said...

Great wedding story! This cocktail looks like the perfect way to get through a big summer wedding. I might actually have to RSVP to one I have sitting on my desk.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, this is definitely the ticket to get you through a wedding! And it's so good you'll want to have it other times, too. Thanks for the comment.

Beth said...

What a great story! A perfect (memorable) way to start your married life.

Robyn said...

I love the wedding story, John! It certainly is memorable, lol. I love this drink but I think I'd leave out the egg white. So pretty and cool looking for summer. Thanks for a great idea!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Beth, that really is memorable! And amusing. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Robyn, we usually leave out the egg white -- just easier. But it's pretty with it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Rahul @ samosastreet.com said...

A delicious drink to enjoy at home

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rahul, it is, it is! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Marcelle said...

Beautiful, classic cocktail and I'm glad you told me all about it! You and Mrs. KR are too cute! :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Marcelle, this is a good one. Definitely worth a try sometime. Thanks for the comment.

Kiran @ KiranTarun.com said...

You need to come up with a cocktail photography portfolio. I think I've said this before and I will say it again. You take the most amazing cocktail photos :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kiran, aw, gosh, thanks so much for that nice comment. :-)

Dana @ Simply Romanesco said...

I love crisp, refreshing cocktails with just a hint of sweetness! I could drink this one all summer long :)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dana, this is a really good one. Definitely something you won't get tired of! Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

This cocktail is just calling for me...I will try this tonight...simple and so refreshing with the fresh lemon.
Have a great week John...

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, this is a wonderful drink. Enjoy! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Brooks said...

Love the beverage and the story behind it. All pretty in white; just like the bride!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Brooks, this is a pretty drink, isn't it? And tastes much better than it looks! Thanks for the comment.

Katerina said...

Perfect cocktail especially now that summer is here and temperatures are in their highs!

Amelia said...

Hi John, that's a perfect cocktail with a beautiful name too. Thanks for sharing the story. Excellent pictures.

Have a nice day, regards.
Amelia

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Katerina, you're so right -- cocktails and summer are just made for each other, aren't they? Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amelia, isn't this fun? And it tastes so good! Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

What a beautiful drink! And it sounds drinkable! (I don't like strong drinks.)

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, this has such a super flavor. You'll like it. :-) Thanks for the comment.