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What is a Clover Club Cocktail?

What is a Clover Club Cocktail? 

After falling out of popularity for decades, the Clover Club cocktail is back on drink menus. Bartenders appreciate its balance of flavors and the skill required to make it properly, while customers enjoy its taste and aesthetic.

At Pascale's Wine & Liquors in Fayetteville, NY, we've seen more customers asking about the ingredients for this drink. Our store at 105 Towne Drive, Fayetteville, NY 13066 stocks everything you need to make it at home. Call us at (315) 355-6222 or visit www.pascaleswineandliquors.com for more information.

History of the Clover Club

The Clover Club is a classic, gin-based cocktail that's been around since the early 1900s,made with gin, raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white.

The drink was created in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the late 1800s and was named after a men's club that met at the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. The club members were mostly lawyers, businessmen, and journalists known for their wit and social status.This is why the drink became a symbol of the club's sophistication and was enjoyed by Philadelphia's elite for years. Its popularity spread beyond the club, becoming a staple in upscale bars of the time.

The drink was popular before Prohibition, often appearing in cocktail books of the era. However, after Prohibition, it lost favor and was mostly forgotten. This was partly due to changing tastes and partly because the use of egg whites in cocktails fell out of fashion due to health concerns. In the early 2000s, as part of a broader trend of rediscovering pre-Prohibition cocktails, bartenders started looking at old cocktail recipes and brought them back. The combination of the drink’s complex flavor profile and the skill required to make it properl helped to reestablish its reputation as a sophisticated and enjoyable drink.

Clover Club Recipe

Here's a basic recipe for a Clover Club:
  • 2 oz gin
  • 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.75 oz raspberry syrup
  • 1 egg white (optional, for frothiness)
To make it:
  1. Dry Shake: Add all ingredients to a shaker (without ice) and shake vigorously to froth the egg white.
  2. Add ice to the shaker and shake again for about 12 seconds.
  3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
  4. Garnish with a raspberry or lemon twist if you want.

Clover Club Cocktail Ingredients Breakdown

1. Gin

Gin is the main alcohol in a Clover Club. Most recipes call for a London Dry gin. It gives the drink its strength and herbal flavors.

2. Raspberry Syrup

This gives the drink its color and fruity taste. You can buy it or make it at home by mixing equal parts sugar and water, then adding fresh raspberries and straining
.

3. Lemon Juice

Always use fresh lemon juice. It balances out the sweet raspberry flavor.

4. Egg White

Egg white makes the drink foamy and smooth. It doesn't add flavor, just texture.

Clover Club Ingredients at Pascale’s

At Pascale's Wine & Liquors, we stock high-quality ingredients for making Clover Clubs:

1. Apium London Dry Gin

  • Tasting Notes: Juniper-forward with hints of citrus and spice
  • Best For: Classic gin cocktails like the Clover Club

2. Master of Mixes Grenadine Syrup

  • Tasting Notes: Sweet with strong pomegranate flavor
  • Best For: Adding sweetness and color to cocktails

Variations on the Clover Club

There are a few ways to change up the basic Clover Club recipe:
  1. Use fresh raspberries instead of syrup. Muddle about 6 raspberries with 0.5 oz simple syrup.
  2. Replace the raspberry syrup with grenadine for a different fruit flavor.
  3. Add 0.5 oz dry vermouth for a more complex taste.

Tips for Making the Best Clover Club

  1. Use fresh ingredients, especially lemon juice.
  2. Shake the drink hard and long to get a good foam.
  3. Double strain to remove any ice chips or raspberry seeds.
  4. Chill your glass before pouring the drink.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Not shaking enough: The egg white needs a lot of shaking to foam up properly.
  2. Using bottled lemon juice: It doesn't taste as good as fresh.
  3. Skipping the "dry shake": Shaking without ice first helps the egg white foam better.
  4. Using old eggs: Fresh eggs make better foam and are safer to drink.

Tools You'll Need

To make a Clover Club at home, you'll need:
  • A cocktail shaker
  • A strainer (preferably two for double straining)
  • A jigger or measuring tool
  • A cocktail glass

The Taste of a Clover Club

A well-made Clover Club is tart and slightly sweet. You'll taste the gin, but it's balanced by the fruit and lemon. The egg white doesn't add flavor, but it makes the drink feel smooth in your mouth.

When to Serve a Clover Club?

The Clover Club works well as:
  • A before-dinner drink
  • A drink for spring or summer parties
  • A cocktail hour selection
It's a good choice for people who like gin but want something a little sweeter and fruitier.

Clover Club Food Pairings

The Clover Club goes well with:
  • Light appetizers like bruschetta or crostini
  • Seafood dishes, especially shellfish
  • Salads with fruit or berries
  • Desserts that aren't too sweet, like lemon tart

The Clover Club in Cocktail Culture

The Clover Club is part of a group of drinks called "sour" cocktails. These always have a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener. Other sours include the Whiskey Sour and the Daiquiri.

Bartenders often use the Clover Club to show their skills. Making the egg white foam just right takes practice.

Making Clover Clubs at Home

If you want to try making Clover Clubs at home:
  1. Start with good ingredients. Cheap gin will make a less tasty drink.
  2. Practice your shaking technique. It takes some strength to shake long enough for a good foam.
  3. Experiment with the amount of lemon and raspberry to find the balance you like best.
  4. If you're worried about using raw egg, you can buy pasteurized egg whites in a carton.

Pick Up the Ingredients to Make the Perfect Clover Club Today

The Clover Club is an old cocktail that's become popular again. It's a good mix of strong, sweet, and sour flavors, offering a balance that appeals to many palates. The gin gives a botanical base, while the raspberry adds fruity sweetness, the lemon brings necessary acidity, and the egg white creates a luxurious texture. Making it right takes some practice, particularly in achieving the right foam and balance of flavors, but it's worth the effort for cocktail enthusiasts.

If you're in Fayetteville, NY, stop by Pascale's Wine & Liquors at 105 Towne Drive. We have all the ingredients you need to make Clover Clubs at home, from a variety of gins to quality mixers and fresh produce. Our knowledgeable staff can help you choose the right gin based on your taste preferences and budget. We can also answer any questions about making the drink, from shaking techniques to ingredient substitutions. Remember, the key to a great Clover Club is quality ingredients and proper technique - with a little practice, you can master this classic cocktail and impress your friends at your next gathering.