With a light and tangy profile, the White Lady is more of an aperitif cocktail. Its dry and slightly bitter side pairs well with savory appetizers.
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Classic RecipeThere are two ways to make this cocktail: with a shaker or with a mixing glass and a spoon. The "spoon" method follows traditional mixology rules, namely that clear cocktails (without fruit juice or cream) are not made in a shaker to avoid over-diluting or clouding the drink. The "shaker" method, James Bond's favorite, results in a colder, more diluted cocktail. ProportionsThis cocktail is prepared in a shaker. The official proportion is 4 cl of gin, 3 cl of Cointreau (Triple Sec), and 2 cl of lemon juice. VariationsThere are many variations regarding the main alcohol that accompanies Triple Sec and Lemon (the "Sour" cocktail family). These include mezcal (Mezcal White Lady), tequila (Margarita), cognac (Side Car), or vodka (Cosmopolitan). |
The cocktail is said to have been invented in 1919 by Harry MacElhone, a very famous Scottish bartender, at Ciro's Club in London. The original version was not based on gin, but on white crème de menthe, Cointreau, and lemon. A few years later, after opening his famous Harry's New York Bar in Paris, MacElhone modified the recipe by replacing the crème de menthe with gin, resulting in the version we know today.
