Wednesday, June 19, 2019

The Clover Club Cocktail

Clover Club Cocktail

Classic gin-based elegance with raspberry-lemon panache

Ah, wedding season. Time to dress fancy and act grown up. But Uncle Roy will be there, and he drives you to drink. What to do?

Just mix yourself a Clover Club Cocktail. It’s a frothy gin delight with lemon and raspberry notes. Plus, it’s pink – the perfect nuptial hue, n’est-ce pas?

You’ll be drinking pretty with a smile on your face. Even Aunt Edith can’t complain about that.



Clover Club Cocktail

Recipe: The Clover Club Cocktail

The Clover Club Cocktail recipe we prefer comes from Julie Reiner, who serves it at her (appropriately named) Clover Club Bar in Brooklyn, New York. She adds a bit of dry vermouth to the mix, which we think is genius. It makes for a smoother drink with more depth of flavor.

Reiner’s version is an improvement on the traditional Clover Club recipe, which we discuss in the Notes.

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

Ingredients
  • 1½ ounces dry gin
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth
  • ½ ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • ½ ounce raspberry syrup (see Notes for recipe)
  • ~¼ to ½ egg white (see Notes)
  • fresh raspberries for garnish (optional)
Procedure
  1. Place all ingredients (except garnish) in a cocktail shaker without ice. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds (to develop froth on the egg white). Add ice, then shake for another 30 seconds.
  2. Strain into a cocktail glass or coupe (preferably one that has been chilled) – but make sure you don’t strain out the froth. Add garnish, if desired, and serve.
Clover Club Cocktail

Notes
  • You can use any decent name-brand dry gin for this drink. 
  • The egg white in this cocktail doesn’t really add flavor. It just helps emulsify the drink and creates silky mouthfeel. You can skip the egg white if you want, but the drink won’t look nearly as nice.
  • How much egg white to use? About ¼ to ½ ounce per serving – which amounts to about half an egg white per drink, or less. (Tip: If you whisk the egg white a bit, it becomes easier to measure). When we mix this drink for two, we use one egg white. But even if we mix it for four, we don’t increase the amount – one egg white is still enough to provide emulsion and froth.
  • Reminder: Raw egg whites can contain salmonella. The risk is small, but if you’re concerned, just use pasteurized eggs.
  • You can buy commercially prepared raspberry syrup, but it’s easy to make your own: Use 2 parts sugar to 1 part water and 1 part raspberries. Place a cup of sugar in a saucepan and add half a cup of water. Heat on medium until the sugar is dissolved. Add half a cup of raspberries (rinse them first). Using a wooden spoon, stir until the raspberries form a pulp. Simmer for a couple of minutes, then remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool. Pour the mixture through a strainer and press lightly to extract some the raspberry juice (don’t press too hard – you don’t want to push solids through the strainer, which could make the syrup cloudy). Pour the syrup into a glass container or a plastic squeeze bottle, then refrigerate. 
  • Raspberry syrup will keep in the fridge for a couple of weeks. If you want to keep it longer, add ½ ounce of vodka to the finished syrup – the alcohol will slow bacterial growth.
  • We use fresh raspberries when we make this syrup, but frozen ones probably would work just as well.
  • Don’t have time to make raspberry syrup? You could substitute grenadine, but the flavor of the drink won’t be as good.
  • We’ve also seen recipes that use raspberry jam in this drink (maybe a teaspoon). We haven’t tried this, but it sounds like an interesting idea.
  • BTW, you can adjust the amount of lemon juice and raspberry syrup to taste – some people like to use ¾ ounce of each.
  • The classic recipe for the Clover Club Cocktail is 2 ounces gin, ½ ounce lemon juice, ½ ounce raspberry syrup, and about half an egg white. It’s a good drink – but not as good as the version with dry vermouth, in our opinion.
  • So where did the Clover Club Cocktail originate? It apparently was developed as the signature drink of the Clover Club, a Philadelphia gentlemen’s club that was popular with writers, lawyers, and businessmen in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. 
Clover Club Cocktail

Rose-Colored Glasses

“No wonder bees love clover,” said Mrs. Kitchen Riffs. “This has me buzzing.”

“Glad I gave you the raspberry?” I said.

“Don’t make me use my stinger,” said Mrs K R. “You’re lucky this drink has me feeling rosy.”

“Yeah,” I said. “Good thing I ginned it up.”

“No pink slip for you today, barkeep,” said Mrs K R. “Especially if you mix me another.”

“I’m making a beeline for the bottles now,” I said.

“It will fill me with honeyed words,” said Mrs K R. “And dreams of lazy summer days.”

Me too. We’re just Riffs in clover.

You may also enjoy reading about:
Pink Lady Cocktail
Pink Gin Cocktail
Fluffy Ruffles Cocktail
Pisco Sour Cocktail
Sloe Gin Fizz
White Lady Cocktail
Bridal Cocktail
Homemade Grenadine
Cocktail Basics
Or check out the index for more

66 comments:

Terry / Blue Kitchen said...

This looks and sounds wonderful, John. We are suckers for gin-based cocktails, and the raspberries sound like they'll add a nice mix of sweet and tart. And yes, egg whites do deliver a wonderful mouthfeel, don't they?

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Terry, we're suckers for gin cocktails, too. This one is terrific -- really worth trying. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelsie | the itsy-bitsy kitchen said...

I LOVE a pink cocktail and this one sounds so refreshing! Raspberry and lemon are unbeatable together!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelsie, this is SO good -- both in looks and flavor. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Juliana said...

I absolutely want to try this cocktail...especially because I love gin...looks so pretty and very elegant indeed...thanks for the recipe.
I hope you are having a fabulous week John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Juliana, it's a neat drink -- bet you'll like it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evelyne CulturEatz said...

Gin and raspberry and all the rest sounds awesome to me. NO wedding in view this summer to attend but it will not stop me from drinking this cocktail!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evelyne, we're drinking this cocktail to toast the longer days of summer. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Mae Travels said...

Such a summery drink! It's hard to find pasteurized eggs, but I did locate some last week.Unfortunately I don't have the other key ingredients either, as it sounds very delightful.

best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mae, pasteurized eggs have been really hard to find lately! Don't know why that should be. :-( Thanks for the comment.

Pam said...

It looks pretty and delicious!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pam, it is! Both of those. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes said...

I had a drink with egg white in it a couple weeks ago. Game changer for sure! I love the color and the raspberry flavor in this. Delicious!

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

The drink looks and sounds delightful and I love finding that Punch site.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ashley, don't drinks with egg white look great? And taste great, of course. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lea Ann, it's a wonderful drink -- SO tasty. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Cocoa and Lavender said...

This sounds delightful, John, and will be perfect for our upcoming “Think Pink” dinner.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi David, this is perfect for a Think Pink dinner! You'll like this -- it's really good. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Dahn said...

oh this sure sounds like something I could get carried away with because it is so yummy!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Dahn, this IS yummy. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Laura Dembowski said...

This cocktail is stunning and raspberries have become one of my favorite fruits. Sounds like a winner to me!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Laura, this is SO worth trying! Really good flavor, and of course it looks great. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Angie's Recipes said...

So pinky and beautiful...a perfect summer drink!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Angie, it's a really pretty hue. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Savor the Best-Pat said...


John, this looks 'berry' delicious! Plus it is 'berry' pretty!

Natalia said...

Wow,those rasberries look so tempting, your photos arw so pretty ☺

Amy (Savory Moments) said...

I really like the idea of using raspberries in a cocktail - I don't see that very often. Perfect for summer!

Healthy World Cuisine said...

Well hello summer! This beautiful cocktail is the perfect way to drum in the warmer weather. Raspberries and lemons are so refreshing and love that egg white foam on top. Wishing you a super week ahead.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Pat, this IS berry pretty, isn't it? :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Natalia, it's a tempting drink! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Amy, we'll be doing another cocktail (at least one more) that uses raspberry syrup this summer. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Bobbi, hello summer, indeed! This is the perfect greeter for it. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kelly | Foodtasia said...

You really nail the beverage shots, John!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Kelly, practice, practice, practice. :-) Thanks for the comment.

R's Rue said...

Yum.
www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Valentina said...

Might just be the prettiest drink I ever did see. :-) Never knew what the function of the egg whites in cocktails was. So cool! Happy summer, John. ~Valantina

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi R, yup. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Valentina, there aren't a large number of cocktails that require egg whites, but they're all good ones. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Denise Brownig said...

Classy, refreshing and summery!

Deb|EastofEdenCooking said...

Our local raspberry season is coming soon! This gorgeous drink would be a fabulous way to celebrate season.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Denise, yes to all of the above. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Deb, let's all toast to local raspberries! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Chef Mimi said...

Well this is a beautiful cocktail! Probably too strong for me, but my husband would love it. Is Punta y mes considered a dry vermouth? I use it for my husband’s Manhattans.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Mimi, dry vermouth is the white/clear stuff. Punta y mes is a sweet vermouth -- the red stuff -- so it wouldn't work in this drink. Hope your husband enjoys this! Demand he give you a sip. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Sherry's Pickings said...

this is oh so pretty KR. and the raspberries would give it the loveliest sweet tang. cheers sherry

Jeff the Chef said...

This is the most delicious-sounding drink I've heard of in quite a while. I can't wait to try it!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Sherry, it's such a nice looking drink, isn't it? Great flavor, too! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Jeff, enjoy! :-) Thanks for the comment.

Food Gal said...

The color of this is just gorgeous! And who doesn't love raspberries. I predict this will be my new favorite summer cocktail.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Carolyn, neat color, huh? And fantastic flavor! Thanks for the comment.

Ansh said...

Lazy summer days and these kind of drinks! Makes life so much more beautiful! Now if only.. of only summer arrived in Colorado!! We got snow in the mountains in mid June. MID JUNE :))

Rosita Vargas said...

Me tomaría este cocktail ahora mismo hace mucho frío aquí,se ve exquisito,abrazos.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Ansh, snow?!! Yikes! You need to make one of these so you can pretend it's summer. :-) Thanks for the comment

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Rosita, it really is an exquisite drink. :-) Thanks for the comment.

lisa is cooking said...

This is such a pretty cocktail! I love the texture of cocktails with egg white--and the look.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Lisa, egg white really do add a lot of mouthfeel to a drink, don't they? Thanks for the comment.

Sippity Sup said...

Pretty in pink! GREG

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Greg, :-) Thanks for the comment!

GiGi Eats said...

Roy and Edith. LOL! I don't have an aunt and uncle named that ;)
I do have a wedding to attend this summer though but not til August. However, let's be real, I never act like an adult, so no one expects me to! LOL

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi GiGi, we only act like adults under duress. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Evi Erlinda said...

Beautiful pink!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Evi, both pretty and tasty -- great combo. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Liz That Skinny Chick Can Bake said...

Even without an Uncle Roy, I'd be drawn to this cocktail! Pretty and tasty---can't beat that combo!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Liz, it's really a good drink. Definitely worth a try. :-) Thanks for the comment.

Debra Eliotseats said...

Oh, that pesky Uncle Roy....

I had a drink recently that reminds me of this....Jameson (!!), strawberry syrup and egg whites. It was delish!!!

Kitchen Riffs said...

Hi Debra, that DOES sound like an excellent drink. Gotta try that. :-) Thanks for the comment.