To make a White Lady, you will need a few key ingredients: gin, cointreau or Triple Sec, fresh lemon juice, and optionally, an egg white. This classic cocktail is a variation of the sidecar, which traditionally uses brandy. The White Lady swaps out the brandy for gin, resulting in a lighter and more refreshing drink.
First, let's gather our ingredients. For the gin, you can choose a London dry gin or a floral gin, depending on your preference. Cointreau is a popular choice for the orange liqueur, but if you don't have it on hand, Triple Sec can be a suitable substitute. Freshly squeezed lemon juice is essential to give the cocktail its tangy and citrusy flavor. Lastly, the egg white, while optional, adds a silky texture and frothy foam to the drink.
Now, let's move on to the preparation. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a White Lady:
1. Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice cubes. This will help chill the ingredients and dilute the cocktail slightly.
2. Add 2 parts gin to the shaker. The standard measurement for a part is 1 ounce, but you can adjust it to your desired strength.
3. Next, add 1 part cointreau or Triple Sec. Again, the standard measurement is 1 ounce.
4. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon directly into the shaker. Aim for about ¾ ounce of lemon juice, but adjust according to your taste preferences.
5. If you're using an egg white, carefully separate the yolk from the white and add the white to the shaker. The egg white will give the cocktail a velvety texture and a beautiful foam on top when shaken vigorously.
6. Now, it's time to shake! Seal the cocktail shaker tightly and shake vigorously for about 15-20 seconds. This will help emulsify the ingredients and create a frothy texture.
7. Once shaken, strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass. The strainer will catch any ice or pulp, ensuring a smooth and elegant drink.
8. Optionally, you can garnish your White Lady with a twist of lemon peel. Simply express the oils from the peel over the glass, then drop it in or twist it into a curly shape for an added visual appeal.
And there you have it, a delicious White Lady cocktail! Sip and savor its balanced flavors of gin, citrus, and subtle sweetness. Cheers!
Personal note: I remember the first time I had a White Lady at a speakeasy-style cocktail bar in New York City. The bartender expertly crafted the drink, shaking it with great precision and flair. The result was a beautifully presented cocktail with a frothy foam that I couldn't resist taking a sip from. The combination of the gin, cointreau, and lemon juice was perfectly balanced, making it a refreshing and enjoyable drink. Since then, I've experimented with making White Ladies at home, adjusting the ratios to suit my taste. It's always a crowd-pleaser at gatherings and a go-to cocktail for me when I want something classic yet vibrant.