Whipping up a Classic Clover Club Cocktail is all about achieving that perfect balance of sweet and tart. As a beloved favorite among cocktail enthusiasts, its flavor hinges on the harmonious blend of ingredients. Using Gin as its base, this drink incorporates freshly squeezed lemon juice and raspberry syrup to create a sweet fruity note that effortlessly balances the tartness. To translate this into a silky, frothy texture, the inclusion of egg white is a must.
Shaking the mixture well ensures the light and foamy texture that makes every sip delightful. The presentation is equally important; serve it in a chilled coupe or martini glass, garnished with fresh raspberry or a lemon peel for that timeless classic appeal. Over time, I’ve tried several variations, but nothing quite matches the original’s sweet yet tart elegance. With each sip, you’re reminded why it remains a beloved favorite around the world.
Clover Club Cocktail Ingredients
Creating the Classic Clover Club Cocktail with a modern twist is an adventure in balancing flavors and textures, stemming from my personal collection of tried-and-true recipes. The original Clover Club calls for:
- Gin
- Lemon juice
- A hint of sugar
- The signature raspberry syrup
However, to breathe new life into this classic, I’ve experimented with:
- Strawberry syrup
- Blackberry syrup
- Grenadine
An absolute must for this cocktail is the:
- Egg white or for those seeking alternatives, explore alternative frothing agents that maintain that luxurious froth.
Dry Vermouth offers a delightful complexity, while a splash of lime juice can substitute the classic lemon, creating a tangier sip. Renowned mixologist Julie Reiner advocates using:
- Fresh raspberries and
- Mint to garnish, enhancing the drink’s visual appeal and freshness.
For a smoother blend, ensure your ingredients like water are of the highest quality. Whether you’re a seasoned bartender or a home mixologist, this unique twist on the Clover Club will surely impress.
What is the best gin for a clover club cocktail?
When crafting a Clover Club cocktail, choosing the best gin can significantly elevate your sip. Plymouth Gin is celebrated for its rich, smooth flavor profile, while Ford’s Gin adds a zesty twist. For those who adore a traditional yet bold taste, London Dry options such as Beefeater Gin never disappoint. Some adventurous mixologists might even substitute with Vodka for a lighter touch. My personal favorite leans towards Plymouth Gin because its complexity marries perfectly with the classic raspberry and lemon notes, creating an exceptionally well-rounded drink.
How To Make A Clover Club Cocktail
1. Gather Ingredients
- 45 ml Gin
- 15 ml Dry Vermouth
- 15 ml Lemon juice
- 8 ml Egg white (or alternative frothing agent)
- 15 ml Raspberry syrup (or strawberry/blackberry syrup, grenadine)
2.Prepare Shaker
Add 45 ml Gin, 15 ml Dry Vermouth, 15 ml Lemon juice, 8 ml Egg white, and 15 ml Raspberry syrup into a cocktail shaker without ice.
3.Dry Shake
Shake the mixture vigorously to blend and aerate the ingredients, achieving a creamy texture.
4.Add Ice
Add ice to the shaker tin to chill the mixture
5.Shake Again
Shake the mixture with ice to ensure it’s cold and well-blended.
6.Double Strain
Pour the mixture through a fine sieve into a chilled coupe glass, removing any ice shards and creating a foamy consistency.
7.Garnish
Garnish with fresh raspberries to enhance the drink’s visual appeal and flavor.
8.Serve
Serve immediately and enjoy your classic Clover Club cocktail with a modern twist.
Clover Club Cocktail History
Steeped in the history of Philadelphia’s Bellevue-Stratford Hotel, the Clover Club cocktail has an origin that prominently features a men’s social group of politicians, businessmen, and writers during the late 1800s. Among the captains of industry and important figures such as Oscar Wilde, this manly men’s drink was invented and became a symbol of the gentlemen’s club.
As it made its way to the turn of the century New York, the Clover Club found new popularity in Philadelphia’s and NYC’s esteemed places like the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, whose proprietor, George Boldt, served it to the city’s elite including William Butler Yeats.
Despite its disappearance during Prohibition, the drink made a comeback in the early 2000s, credited to a renaissance spearheaded by Gary Regan’s Joy of Mixology and Dale DeGroff’s The Essential Cocktail.
Mixologists like Reiner have continued to celebrate this pretty pink drink as a staple in bars and restaurants across the United States. Today, with its appearances in contemporary cocktail books and renowned cocktail bars, the Clover Club enjoys a resurgence, cementing its place in cocktail history and in the hands of those seeking a taste of a bygone yet timeless moment in time.
Clover Club Cocktail Without Egg White
When I first embarked on making a Clover Club cocktail that’s both vegan and delicious, I discovered that substituting egg white with aquafaba, the liquid drained from a can of chickpeas was a game-changer. Available in bottles at grocery stores or in powder form from online retailers, aquafaba works wonders in achieving that frothy head we love.
With just an ounce used in the recipe, the balance of sweet and tart flavors in this timeless classic remains impeccable. Using gin as the base spirit, this intricate drink captures all the nostalgia while providing a modern twist. The secret lies in the frothing agent; whether it’s aquafaba or egg white substitute, the texture remains smooth and inviting.
Clover Club Cocktail Raspberry Syrup
Creating a Clover Club cocktail with a modern twist involves the art of making raspberry syrup. Start by combining fruit, sugar, and water, and place them on the stove. Use medium heat to warm the mixture as you crush fresh raspberries. Let this rich concoction sit for 30 minutes to macerate, allowing the flavors to meld. After cooking for some time, the mixture should reach a warm temperature stir to ensure the sugar dissolves completely. Once ready, strain through a fine mesh sieve to achieve a smooth raspberry syrup.
To preserve and extend the shelf life of your syrup, consider adding a splash of Vodka. For an extra twist, incorporate this syrup in your Clover Club cocktail with 3 to 4 muddled fresh raspberries, half an ounce of simple syrup, and a rich blend of flavors. The outcome will be a deep, sweet, and fruity cocktail with a delightful raspberry note.
Clover Club Cocktail with Chambord
Seasonal raspberries can be fickle, and that’s where Chambord comes in, providing a delicious alternative. This liqueur, made from black raspberries, offers a different flavor profile with hints of vanilla and spice notes. Despite the seasonal trouble of sourcing fresh raspberries, Chambord effortlessly enhances the Clover Club cocktail by giving it a unique taste. The result is a cocktail bursting with delightful fruity essence and the rich complexity of raspberry syrup.
Other Egg White Cocktails
- Clover Club drink stands out for its velvety texture and unique flavor.
- Ramos Gin Fizz: creamy texture, floral notes of lavender and violet.
- Herbal Gin Sour: hints of rosemary for winter or spring sipping.
- Chamomile-infused Gin Sour: herbal touch with a floral boost.
- Rum Flip or Eggnog: introduces creamy richness.
- Use pasteurized eggs to avoid the risk of foodborne illness.
- Meyer lemon juice with Bourbon or Gin creates an unexpected combo.
- Each cocktail can leave you parched for the next velvety sip.
Conclusion
Crafting a Classic Clover Club Cocktail with a modern twist is all about balance. Utilizing the rich flavors of Gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and raspberry syrup, paired with the velvety texture of egg white, ensures a delightful, frothy finish. Experimenting with variations like strawberry syrup and alternative frothing agents adds a contemporary edge, yet the original’s charm always beckons. Each sip, elegantly presented in a chilled coupe with a fresh garnish, reaffirms why this timeless cocktail continues to captivate enthusiasts worldwide.
FAQs
Why is it called the Clover Club cocktail?
The Clover Club cocktail is a drink that predates Prohibition in the United States, and is named for the Philadelphia men’s club of the same name, which met in the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel at South Broad and Walnut Streets in Center City. The Clover Club was chartered in 1882.
What type of syrup is used in a Clover Club?
This recipe calls for raspberry syrup, an easy-to-assemble ingredient that requires only one more step than a traditional simple syrup. However, if you’d like to save a few minutes of stove time, you can take a shortcut by muddling three or four fresh raspberries with a half ounce of simple syrup right in the shaker.
What does Clover Club taste like?
This drink is a sublime mixture of gin, lemon, raspberry syrup and egg whites that makes for a sweet and creamy raspberry flavored cocktail. If you’re planning a bar hire and want to feature great classic cocktails or gin drinks, the Clover Club could be a fantastic addition to your menu.
What is the difference between a classic cocktail and a signature cocktail?
By definition, a signature beverage embodies the personality and style of a restaurant. Anyone can follow a recipe and mix up a classic drink, but the impact of a signature cocktail comes from its uniqueness. When creating a signature cocktail, consider the drink’s ultimate goal and what function it’s serving.