History & Heritage
“Harry MacElhone's first White Lady in 1919 used brandy and crème de menthe, but by 1929 he had revised it to equal parts gin, Cointreau and lemon. Harry Craddock's 1930 *Savoy Cocktail Book* doubled the gin and cemented the dry, spirit-forward style. Postwar bartenders began adding egg white, giving the drink its silky texture and keeping the White Lady in the canon of classic sours.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add all ingredients to a shaker without ice and dry shake if using egg white
Add ice and shake again until well chilled
Strain into a chilled coupe glass
Garnish with a lemon twist
Glassware
Served up in a chilled coupe
Garnish
Express oils and place on rim
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Dry shake first for a better foam
Double strain for a velvety texture
Chill the glass for a crisp serve
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
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Sour
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Bitter
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Strong
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Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the White Lady.
Equal Parts MacElhone
Returns to MacElhone's 1:1:1 ratio for a lighter, sweeter sip.
Changes
Kamikaze
Vodka takes the place of gin for a sharper, modern shooter-style sour.
Changes
Pink Lady
Adds applejack and grenadine for a blush-hued cousin.
Changes
Blue Lady
Trades Cointreau for blue curaçao to create a vibrant azure cocktail.
Changes
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Clover Club
Pre-Prohibition gin sour colored with raspberry and crowned with a dry-shaken egg white foam.
Corpse Reviver #2
Equal parts gin, orange liqueur, aperitif wine and lemon, awakened by an absinthe rinse—Craddock's revitalizing classic.
Bee's Knees
Prohibition-era gin, lemon, and honey shaken into a bright, velvety sour whose sweetness once softened rough bathtub gin.