Clover Club Cocktail: Classic Gin and Egg White Recipe

The Clover Club cocktail is a classic gin sour made with gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white. It has a bright raspberry flavor, botanical gin notes, and a silky foam top. A strong dry shake creates its signature smooth texture and pale-pink appearanceWhat Is a Clover Club Cocktail?

A Clover Club is a gin-based sour flavored with raspberry and topped with egg-white foam.

The cocktail is historically associated with Philadelphia’s Clover Club. Recipes have varied over time, but the modern version usually combines gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white.

For one Clover Club:

• 2 oz (60 ml) London dry gin
• 3/4 oz (22 ml) fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 oz (15 ml) raspberry syrup
• 1/2 oz (15 ml) pasteurized egg white
• Ice
• Fresh raspberries for garnish

Serve it in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass.

A balanced starting ratio is:

Ingredient	Amount
Gin	2 oz
Lemon juice	3/4 oz
Raspberry syrup	1/2 oz
Egg white	1/2 oz

This keeps the drink tart and fruity without allowing raspberry sweetness to overpower the gin.

Add the gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice.

Dry shake vigorously for about 15 seconds.

Add ice and shake again for 10–15 seconds until well chilled.

Double-strain into a chilled coupe and garnish with fresh raspberries.

Serve immediately while the foam is thick.

A dry shake means shaking without ice first.

This helps the egg-white proteins trap air and form a smoother, thicker foam.

The second shake with ice then chills and slightly dilutes the cocktail.

Egg white gives the Clover Club its silky texture and foamy top.

It also softens the sharpness of the lemon and gin without making the drink taste strongly of eggs.

About 1/2 ounce is enough for a noticeable foam layer.

London dry gin works especially well because its juniper and citrus notes balance the raspberry.

Plymouth-style gin creates a softer drink, while highly floral gins may compete with the fruit.

For a classic result, start with a balanced dry gin.

Not necessarily.

Some historical and modern variations include dry vermouth, but many current Clover Club recipes use only gin, raspberry, lemon, and egg white.

If you want more herbal complexity, add about 1/4–1/2 ounce of dry vermouth.

Yes.

Use about 1–2 teaspoons of seedless raspberry jam in place of raspberry syrup.

Shake thoroughly and double-strain the cocktail to remove any fruit solids.

Fresh raspberries muddled with simple syrup also work.

A Clover Club tastes tart, lightly sweet, fruity, botanical, and smooth.

Gin provides herbal and juniper notes, lemon adds acidity, and raspberry brings sweetness and berry flavor.

Egg white makes the texture softer and creamier without adding cream.

Poor foam usually comes from weak shaking, too little egg white, or excessive dilution.

Use about 1/2 ounce pasteurized egg white and dry shake vigorously before adding ice.

A second strong shake with ice should create a stable foam layer.

If the drink is too sweet, reduce the raspberry syrup slightly.

If it is too sour, add a small amount of extra syrup rather than making a large adjustment.

The goal is balance between gin, citrus, and raspberry.

Because the egg white is not cooked, pasteurized egg white is the preferred option.

Keep liquid egg whites refrigerated and follow the package storage instructions.

Anyone avoiding raw or undercooked eggs can use aquafaba or another egg-free cocktail foamer.

Yes.

The cocktail will still taste good, but it will lose much of its signature silky foam.

For an egg-free version, replace the egg white with about 1/2 ounce of aquafaba and use the same dry-shake method.

It is best served immediately.

You can prepare the raspberry syrup and measure the gin ahead of time, but add lemon juice and egg white shortly before serving.

A fully prepared Clover Club should not be stored because the foam quickly collapses.

Use fresh lemon juice, measure every ingredient, chill the glass, and shake vigorously.

Keep the raspberry flavor balanced so the gin remains noticeable.

Double-strain for a smoother texture and serve immediately for the best foam.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Clover Club a gin sour?

Yes. It is a raspberry-flavored gin sour traditionally made with citrus, sweetener, and egg white.

Does a Clover Club taste like egg?

No. Egg white mainly adds texture and foam rather than a noticeable egg flavor.

What alcohol is in a Clover Club?

Gin is the primary spirit, with London dry gin being one of the most common choices.

Does a Clover Club need egg white?

Egg white is traditional but optional. Aquafaba can be used as an egg-free substitute.

Should you use lemon or lime?

Fresh lemon juice is the most common choice in modern Clover Club recipes.

Can you use fresh raspberries?

Yes. Muddle them with simple syrup, then shake and double-strain the drink.

How much egg white should you use?

About 1/2 ounce or 15 ml of pasteurized egg white works well for one cocktail.

What glass should you use?

Serve a Clover Club in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass without ice.