When was the Pink Lady Invented
The Pink Lady is a classic cocktail made with gin, egg white, grenadine, and lemon juice. The precise origins of the Pink Lady are unclear, but it is believed to have been created in the early 20th century.
One popular story attributes the creation of the Pink Lady to a bartender at the Savoy Hotel in London named Harry McElhone, who created the cocktail in the 1910s. Another story suggests that the Pink Lady was popularized during Prohibition in the United States as a way to mask the taste of low-quality bootlegged gin.
Regardless of its origins, the Pink Lady remains a popular cocktail today and is often enjoyed as a sweet and tart drink.
What You Need
- gin
- applejack brandy
- fresh lemon juice
- grenadine syrup
- Egg white (optional)
- Ice
How to Make a Pink Lady
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add 2 ounces of gin, 1 ounce of applejack brandy, 3/4 ounce of fresh lemon juice, 1/2 ounce of grenadine syrup, and (optionally) the egg white to the shaker.
- Shake the mixture vigorously for about 10-15 seconds, or until the shaker is frosty and cold to the touch.
- Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
- Optionally, garnish with a lemon twist or cherry by twisting a piece of lemon peel over the drink to release the oils, or dropping a cherry into the glass.
- Serve and enjoy!
Note: Using egg white is optional, but it can add a nice frothy texture to the cocktail. To use egg white, separate one egg and add the egg white to the shaker before shaking the ingredients.
How To Serve a Pink Lady
How to Make Grenadine Syrup
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pomegranate juice
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions:
- In a saucepan, combine the pomegranate juice, sugar, and lemon juice.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 15-20 minutes, until it has thickened and reduced by about half.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a glass jar or bottle and store it in the refrigerator.
Homemade grenadine syrup will keep for about 1-2 months in the refrigerator. Use it to add a sweet and fruity flavor to your cocktails and other drinks.
Tip For Making a Pink Lady
- Use fresh lemon juice: The lemon juice is a key component of a Pink Lady, and using fresh lemon juice will provide the best flavor. Avoid using bottled lemon juice, as this may contain additives that can affect the taste of the cocktail.
- Adjust the sweetness level: The amount of grenadine used can be adjusted to suit your taste. Start with the 1:2 ratio (2 oz gin, 1 oz applejack brandy, 3/4 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz grenadine) and adjust as needed. Some people prefer a slightly sweeter drink and use more grenadine, while others prefer a more tart cocktail and use less.
- Shake vigorously: Shaking the cocktail vigorously will help to ensure that the ingredients are well combined and that the drink is chilled. Be sure to shake for at least 10-15 seconds or until the shaker is frosty and cold to the touch.
- Use a chilled glass: Chilling the cocktail glass in the freezer or by filling it with ice water for a few minutes before making the drink can help to keep the cocktail cold and refreshing.
- Experiment with garnishes: A lemon twist or cherry is a classic garnish for a Pink Lady, but you can also experiment with other fruit or herbs to add a different flavor profile. For example, a sprig of fresh thyme can add a nice touch of herbal notes to the drink.
Frequently asked questions
- What type of gin should I use for a Pink Lady? You can use any type of gin that you prefer, but a London dry gin will typically pair well with the other ingredients and provide a balanced flavor profile.
- What is applejack brandy? Applejack is an American brandy made from distilled apple cider. It has a smooth, fruity flavor that pairs well with the gin and other ingredients in the Pink Lady.
- Can I make a Pink Lady without egg white? Yes, you can make a Pink Lady without egg white. The egg white is optional and can be omitted if you prefer. However, it does add a nice frothy texture to the cocktail, so you may want to experiment with using it in your drink.
- Can I make a non-alcoholic version of a Pink Lady? Yes, you can make a non-alcoholic version of a Pink Lady by using a non-alcoholic gin substitute and omitting the applejack brandy from the recipe. You can also adjust the amount of grenadine and lemon juice to suit your taste preferences.
Pink lady
In 1912, it was popularized by the stage play pink lady which was a big hit in London. It became popular all over the world in 1944, when it was featured again in a Broadway play in the United States. Because of its feminine name, pink color and non-greasy sweet, refreshing and fragrant taste, it is loved by women!
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- ¼ oz red grenadine syrup
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz Cointreau (optional)
- half a sterile egg white
Instructions
Place the above ingredients in a shaker, cover with a lid and shake vigorously (dry shake), mix and shake vigorously with ice, shake well and pour into a cocktail glass, garnish with dried rose petals.
Notes
Using egg white is optional, but it can add a nice frothy texture to the cocktail. To use egg white, separate one egg and add the egg white to the shaker before shaking the ingredients. If you're concerned about the risk of salmonella, you can use pasteurized egg whites or substitute the egg white with 1/2 ounce of aquafaba (the liquid from a can of chickpeas).
