“White Lady” – a strong alcoholic cocktail (about 35 degrees) based on gin with orange liqueur and lemon juice. It is a classic short drink – a portion of a small volume, which is drunk in small sips. The drink is remembered for its soft, well-balanced citrus flavor with a slight sourness. Simply prepared at home.
Historical information
According to one version, the White Lady cocktail was invented by bartender Harry McElhone in 1919 at London’s Ciro’s Club. Initially, the composition of the drink included: Cointreau orange liqueur, mint liqueur and cognac.
In 1929, at a new job – at Harry’s New York Bar, McElhone significantly changed the recipe: he added lemon juice, used gin instead of cognac, and replaced Cointreau with Triple Sec. It was in this form that the cocktail was included in the codification of the International Bartenders Association (section “Unforgettable”). According to another version, the modern White Lady recipe came about thanks to Harry Craddock of the American Bar at London’s Savoy Hotel.
It was the favorite cocktail of comedians Laurel and Hardy, a drink often ordered by wealthy aristocrats to their ladies. But already in the 40s, the popularity of the White Lady faded, as strong women’s cocktails went out of fashion, and the Martini era began in Europe.
The origin of the name is also unknown. Most popular versions:
- in honor of the famous British ghost;
- from a white rose variety discovered in the XNUMXth century in China;
- due to its mild taste and characteristic color.
Composition and proportions:
- gin (dry London) – 40 ml;
- orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau) – 30 ml;
- lemon juice – 20 ml;
- ice cubes – 200 grams;
- orange peel or lemon slice – 1 piece.
Classic White Lady Cocktail Recipe
1. Mix all ingredients in a shaker with ice.
2. Pour the resulting mixture through a strainer (strainer) into a chilled cocktail glass (martini glass).
3. Decorate the finished cocktail with a lemon slice or orange zest. Drink in small sips.
The cooking process is shown in the video.
