Clover Club

The Clover Club is a pre-Prohibition classic that perfectly balances tangy citrus, bright raspberry, and the botanical elegance of gin. Light, frothy, and delicately pink, it is both visually striking and remarkably refined on the palate. Often described as a raspberry gin sour with a luxurious texture, it is a must-know recipe for anyone serious about classic cocktails.

Named after a gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia, the Clover Club was once considered a symbol of sophistication, served to lawyers, writers, and captains of industry. Today, it has reclaimed its place on serious cocktail menus around the world as a benchmark of balance, technique, and presentation.

This drink is particularly interesting because it showcases how a few simple ingredients can create something complex: fruit, citrus, botanicals, and texture all working together. When made with quality gin, fresh lemon juice, and a well-crafted raspberry syrup, the Clover Club becomes an exceptional example of vintage cocktail craft.

Instructions

Official Recipe:

1. Chill a Cocktail Glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice and water while you prepare the drink.
2. Add 45 ml gin, 15 ml raspberry syrup, 15 ml fresh lemon juice, and a few drops of egg white into a cocktail shaker.
3. Dry shake (shake without ice) vigorously for about 10–12 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a stable foam.
4. Add ice cubes to the shaker until it is about three-quarters full.
5. Shake hard again for 10–12 seconds, until the shaker is very cold and the mixture is well aerated.
6. Discard the ice or water from the chilled Cocktail Glass if you used it for chilling.
7. Strain the cocktail through a fine strainer into the chilled glass to achieve a smooth, velvety texture.
8. Garnish with fresh raspberries on a pick or a single raspberry floated on the foam.

Note: If you prefer not to use raw egg white, you can substitute with pasteurized egg white or a small measure of aquafaba (chickpea brine), though the texture and flavor will vary slightly.

Tips

• Choose a quality gin: Use a classic London Dry or a balanced, juniper-forward gin. Overly floral or heavily flavored gins can clash with the raspberry.
• Use real raspberry syrup: Either make your own by simmering raspberries with sugar and water, or choose a high-quality, real-fruit syrup. Avoid artificial-tasting syrups, as they will dominate the drink.
• Balance the sweetness: Taste your raspberry syrup before mixing. If it is very sweet, you may want to slightly increase the lemon juice to keep the drink bright and refreshing.
• Master the dry shake: A strong dry shake is essential for a rich foam. Wrap a towel around the shaker if needed to improve your grip and shake with energy.
• Fine strain for elegance: Double straining through a fine mesh strainer removes ice shards and any pulp, giving the Clover Club its signature silky, uniform appearance.
• Serve well chilled: This cocktail should be very cold but not diluted. Shake quickly and decisively rather than for a long time with too much ice melt.
• Perfect your garnish: A trio of raspberries on a cocktail pick resting on the rim, or a single berry in the center of the foam, adds visual impact and hints at the flavor profile.

Classic Variations

• Clover Leaf: Clover Club served with a fresh mint leaf either shaken in or floated on top, adding herbal freshness and aroma.
• Dry Clover Club: A drier version using slightly less raspberry syrup or more gin, for those who prefer a more spirit-forward profile.
• No-Egg Clover Club: Prepared without egg white, giving a cleaner, lighter body and no foam, closer to a simple raspberry gin sour.
• Jam Clover Club: Raspberry jam used in place of syrup, shaken hard and fine strained, giving a more rustic fruit character.
• Royal Clover Club: Topped with a small splash of chilled dry sparkling wine for extra lift and a celebratory touch.

Flavor Profile

On the first sip, the Clover Club delivers a bright burst of fresh raspberry and lemon, carried on a soft, creamy texture from the egg white. The mid-palate reveals the botanical structure of the gin, with juniper and subtle spice supporting the fruit rather than overpowering it.

The finish is clean, gently tart, and slightly sweet, with lingering notes of raspberry and citrus zest. The foam adds a luxurious mouthfeel, making each sip feel rounded and polished, while the aroma of fresh raspberries sets the tone before the glass even reaches your lips.

History

The Clover Club traces its origins to late 19th- and early 20th-century Philadelphia, where it was served at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel to members of the Clover Club, an exclusive men’s group of lawyers, writers, and influential figures. Far from being a frivolous “pink drink,” it was a symbol of high taste and urbane sophistication.

Over time, as tastes changed and simpler highballs and neon-colored concoctions became popular, the Clover Club fell out of fashion and was even mocked for its color and the presence of egg white. The cocktail revival of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, however, brought renewed respect for pre-Prohibition recipes, and the Clover Club was rediscovered as a beautifully structured, classic gin sour.

Today, the Clover Club is recognized as an official IBA (International Bartenders Association) cocktail, firmly cementing its status in the canon of classic drinks. It also lent its name to the acclaimed Brooklyn cocktail bar “Clover Club,” which played a key role in modernizing and championing this historic drink.

Cheers!