The clover club cocktail is one of the most elegant classic drinks ever created. With its soft pink color, silky foam, and bright raspberry flavor, it’s both beautiful and refreshing.
The traditional recipe combines gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white to create a smooth, frothy cocktail. This famous drink was originally served at “The Clover Club”, a gentlemen’s club in Philadelphia in the late 1800s.
Let’s explore 12 creative twists on the cocktail so you can master this classic pink drink.
1. Classic Clover Club Cocktail
The traditional cocktail recipe is silky, tart, and beautifully pink.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- 1 egg white
How to Make It
Add gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white to a shaker without ice and shake (dry shake). Add ice and shake again until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. This classic clover club gin cocktail creates the iconic foamy pink top.
2. Raspberry Clover Club Cocktail
This fruity version highlights fresh berries.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 4 fresh raspberries
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Muddle raspberries with lemon juice and syrup. Add gin and egg white. Shake without ice, then shake again with ice. Strain into a glass. This fresh raspberry cocktail is vibrant and fruity.
3. Pink Clover Club Cocktail
A sweeter and more colorful cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz grenadine
- Egg white
How to Make It
Dry shake all ingredients, then shake with ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass. This bright pink drink is a variation of the clover club cocktail grenadine.
4. Clover Club Cocktail Without Egg White
A simpler version for those avoiding egg whites.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
How to Make It
Shake all ingredients with ice until chilled. Strain into a coupe glass. This smooth drink is a popular cocktail without egg white.
5. Fresh Raspberry Clover Club
A vibrant version using real fruit.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ¼ cup fresh raspberries
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Muddle raspberries with lemon juice and syrup. Add gin and egg white, shake dry, then shake with ice. Strain into a glass. This clover club cocktail with fresh raspberries has an intense berry flavor.
6. Clover Club Cocktail with Vermouth
A more complex version with herbal notes.
Ingredients
- 1½ oz gin
- ½ oz dry vermouth
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Shake ingredients dry first, then with ice. Strain into a chilled glass. This sophisticated cocktail with vermouth adds depth.
7. Clover Club Cocktail Difford Style
Inspired by modern bartending guides.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry liqueur
- Egg white
How to Make It
Dry shake all ingredients first. Add ice and shake again until cold. Strain into a coupe glass. This refined cocktail, difford style, is balanced and elegant.
8. Clover Club with Honey
A slightly sweeter twist.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz honey syrup
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Shake ingredients dry first, then with ice. Strain into a coupe glass.
9. Grapefruit Clover Club
Bright citrus makes this variation refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz grapefruit juice
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Shake ingredients without ice first, then with ice. Strain into a chilled glass.
10. Strawberry Clover Club
A fruity twist on clover club cocktails.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- 2 strawberries
- ½ oz simple syrup
- Egg white
How to Make It
Muddle strawberries with syrup and lemon juice. Add gin and egg white, shake dry, then shake with ice.
11. Sparkling Clover Club
A lighter, bubbly variation.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Splash sparkling wine
How to Make It
Shake gin, lemon juice, and raspberry syrup with ice. Strain into a coupe glass and top with sparkling wine.
12. Herbal Clover Club
Fresh herbs add a unique flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ¾ oz lemon juice
- ½ oz raspberry syrup
- Basil leaves
- Egg white
How to Make It
Muddle basil with lemon juice and syrup. Add gin and egg white, dry shake, then shake with ice and strain.
Quick Answers
What is a Clover Club cocktail?
The clover club cocktail is a classic gin cocktail made with raspberry syrup, lemon juice, and egg white.
What’s the difference between Pink Lady and Clover Club?
The Pink Lady includes applejack or grenadine, while the Clover Club focuses on raspberry flavor.
Clover Club cocktail alcohol percentage
Most versions range from about 18–22% ABV, depending on the gin used.
Conclusion
From the classic clover club cocktail recipe to fruity modern twists, this elegant pink drink proves why it remains one of the most beloved gin cocktails in the world—and a stylish choice among low-calorie cocktails.
