The Clover Club Cocktail takes its name from the prestigious Clover Club, an influential gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia that thrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Let’s explore this iconic cocktail recipe.
- The Clover Club: A Gathering of Gentlemen:
- The Clover Club, founded in 1882, was a private men’s club that became a hub for Philadelphia’s elite. The club’s name was inspired by the symbol of the four-leaf clover, representing good luck.
- This exclusive club provided a space for like-minded individuals—businessmen, lawyers, and professionals—to gather, discuss ideas, and enjoy each other’s company. The Clover Club soon gained renown for its convivial atmosphere and intellectual discussions.
- The Birth of the Clover Club Cocktail:
- The exact origin of the Clover Club Cocktail is somewhat elusive, but it is believed to have emerged as a signature drink within the confines of the Clover Club in the late 19th century.
- By the early 20th century, the Clover Club Cocktail had transcended the boundaries of the club and made its way into cocktail books, gaining recognition as a sophisticated and refreshing libation.
Clover Club Cocktail Ingredients:
- Gin: 60ml (2oz)
- Dry Vermouth: 15ml (0.5oz)
- Raspberry Syrup: 22.5ml (0.75oz)
- Fresh Lemon Juice: 22.5ml (0.75oz)
- Egg White: 1/2 of an egg
- Ice Cubes
- Raspberry or Lemon Twist for garnish
Clover Club Cocktail Recipe
- Prepare Your Glass: Chill a coupe glass by placing it in the freezer or filling it with ice water.
- Combine Ingredients for Dry Shake: In a shaker, mix the gin, dry vermouth, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and half an egg white. Shake these ingredients without ice (dry shake) for about 10-15 seconds to create foam.
- Shake with Ice: Add ice to the shaker and shake again for 10-15 seconds to chill the cocktail.
- Strain and Serve: Remove the coupe glass from the freezer or discard the ice water. Strain the cocktail into the glass.
- Garnish: Add a fresh raspberry or a twist of lemon peel as garnish.
The Clover Club Cocktail – A Historical Beverage
The origins of the Clover Club cocktail date back to the late 1800s at Philadelphia’s Bellevue-Stratford hotel, a hub for writers, lawyers, and industry leaders discussing pressing matters of the time over drinks. This sophisticated crowd favored the Clover Club, a blend of gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white.
Although once a pre-Prohibition classic celebrated in Philadelphia’s cocktail scene, the Clover Club faded into obscurity for much of the 20th century. Its revival gained traction with its inclusion in modern cocktail literature like Gary Regan’s “Joy of Mixology.” In 2008, the cocktail regained prominence when Julie Reiner opened a Brooklyn bar named after the classic drink, where it remains a staple on the menu today.
