White lady

White Lady

(0 ratings)

A classic gin sour featuring gin, Cointreau, and fresh lemon juice, creating an elegant and balanced cocktail with bright citrus notes.

Keep screen on?

Recipe

1 cocktail (125ml)
  • London Dry Gin 
    45 ml
  • Cointreau 
    20 ml
  • Lemon Juice 
    25 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1) 
    7.5 ml
  • Egg White 
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel 
    1 strip
Recipe credit: Harry MacElhone (1919) and Harry Craddock (Savoy Cocktail Book)

Instructions

Step

Chill a coupe glass in the freezer or by filling with ice water while preparing the cocktail.

Step

Add gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.

Step

If using egg white, perform a dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.

Step

Add plenty of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.

Step

Double strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.

Step

Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink’s surface and use as garnish on the rim.

Step

Serve immediately while cold and enjoy.

Equipment

Shaker
Fine Mesh Strainer
Jigger
Citrus juicer

Description

The White Lady is a sophisticated gin-based cocktail that epitomizes the elegance of classic cocktail culture. Originally created in London in 1919 by Harry MacElhone and later refined by Harry Craddock in the Savoy Cocktail Book, this drink represents the perfect balance of botanical gin, orange liqueur, and fresh citrus. The modern version often includes egg white for a silky texture and luxurious foam top.

Nutritional information

1 cocktail (125ml)
Calories
185
ABV
24 %
Alcohol
24 g
Carbs
8 g
Carbs from Sugar
7 g
Fat
0 g
Protein
1 g
Sodium
15 mg
Nutritional information is approximate and includes estimated 30% dilution from ice. Values may vary based on specific brands and preparation methods.
Allergens
Egg

Tips & Notes

  • Always use freshly squeezed lemon juice rather than bottled - the difference in flavor is substantial and worth the extra effort.

  • Adjust the simple syrup amount based on the tartness of your lemons and sweetness preference - taste as you go for perfect balance.

  • The dry shake technique (shaking without ice first) is crucial when using egg white to achieve the signature silky foam top.

  • Pre-chill your glassware in the freezer for at least 10 minutes to maintain the cocktail's temperature and enhance the drinking experience.

  • Use a high-quality orange liqueur like Cointreau rather than cheaper triple sec for superior flavor depth and balance.

Absolutely! The original White Lady didn’t include egg white. Simply omit it from the recipe and skip the dry shake step. The cocktail will have a lighter texture but maintain all the essential flavors. This is actually the more traditional preparation method.

Triple sec is the most common substitute, though you may need to adjust the simple syrup as it’s typically sweeter than Cointreau. Grand Marnier can work but will add cognac notes and change the flavor profile. Other premium orange liqueurs like Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao are excellent alternatives.

The key is the dry shake technique – shake all ingredients without ice for 10 seconds first to properly emulsify the egg white. Then add ice and shake vigorously again. Make sure to use room temperature egg white and shake with enough force to create proper aeration.

London Dry gin is traditional and recommended for its clean, juniper-forward profile that balances well with the citrus. Avoid heavily botanical or Navy strength gins that might overpower the delicate balance. Quality brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, or Bombay work excellently.

Related Citrus, Herbal, Sour cocktails

Gin Sour

A classic sour cocktail featuring gin, fresh lemon juice, and sugar syrup, elevated with egg white for a silky texture and rich foam.

Gin sour

Tommy’s Margarita

A refined margarita that showcases pure tequila and agave flavors without orange liqueur

Tommys margarita

Leave your comment

Cocktail Difficulty Levels

We’ve added a difficulty rating to every cocktail so you’ll know what to expect before you start mixing. It’s not about being “hard” or “easy” in the strict sense—it’s about how much preparation, skill, and hunting for ingredients you’ll need.

  • Beginner – Quick builds or simple shakes with common ingredients you’ll likely already have at home. Perfect for beginners or a casual evening.

  • Intermediate – A bit more technique (stirring, shaking, muddling, layering) and a few extra ingredients. You might need to buy one or two bottles or garnishes you don’t already stock.

  • Advanced – Multiple steps, specialty techniques (infusions, syrups, foams), or rare ingredients. These drinks take more effort and planning, but reward you with something truly impressive.

The rating is based on things like the number of ingredients, how rare they are, and the skills needed to bring the cocktail together.

Okay

Recipe notes

Create a free account 

My Bar, saved forever
Without an account, your ingredients are only stored in cookies and can disappear. With an account, your bar is saved securely – so you can always see which recipes you can craft (or almost craft) based on what you have at home.

Rate recipes
Share your opinion and help other cocktail lovers discover the best recipes.

Favourites at your fingertips
Save your go-to cocktails for quick access right from your account page.

Personal notes
Add your own tweaks, tips, or reminders to any recipe – perfect if you like to experiment or record what worked best.

Exclusive newsletter
Opt-in for insights into mixology, cocktail theory, and home bartending – plus stay updated when new recipes are added.

Quick recipe

Ingredients

  • London Dry Gin
    45 ml
  • Cointreau
    20 ml
  • Lemon Juice
    25 ml
  • Simple syrup (1:1)
    7.5 ml
  • Egg White
    15 ml
  • Lemon Peel
    1 strip

Method

  1. Chill a coupe glass in the freezer or by filling with ice water while preparing the cocktail.
  2. Add gin, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker.
  3. If using egg white, perform a dry shake (without ice) for 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white.
  4. Add plenty of ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 10-15 seconds until well-chilled.
  5. Double strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer into the chilled coupe glass.
  6. Express the oils from a lemon twist over the drink's surface and use as garnish on the rim.
  7. Serve immediately while cold and enjoy.