Mix Up a Pink Lady Cocktail for a Girls’ Night In

Sip on the glamorous history of the Pink Lady cocktail Recipe – a rosy gin delight from the Prohibition era.

The Pink Lady Cocktail

The Pink Lady is a classic cocktail recipe that not only looks pretty in pink, but is also genuinely enjoyable to sip on. It’s a timeless sipper that’s perfect for embracing a Valentine’s Day theme. With its pink hue and delicious blend of flavors, it’s a win-win situation – you really can’t lose with The Pink Lady. 

The Pink Lady’s Not-So-Secret History

The Pink Lady, a classic cocktail with a vibrant history, emerged during the Prohibition era. Its creation was likely a clever workaround for the subpar gin that flooded the market during that time. By blending in brandy, lemon juice, and grenadine, bartenders could effectively disguise the unpleasant taste of the low-quality spirits. This ingenious solution quickly gained popularity among high-society women from the 1930s through the 1950s, becoming their preferred drink.

However, the Pink Lady’s reputation as a “girly” drink was perhaps cemented in 1951 with the publication of “The Bartender’s Book” by Jack Townsend, the president of New York’s bartender’s union. In this book, Townsend described the typical Pink Lady drinker as a “nice little girl” who rarely ventured into bars and only indulged in a cocktail on special occasions. Despite this somewhat sexist portrayal, Townsend acknowledged the drink’s potency, noting its surprising strength.

READ: Raspberry Vodka Sour

A Silky Smooth Sipper

Although Townsend’s mystery quotes may not have outdated, the grenadine-tinged twist on a classic Gin Sour is the perfect mix of boozy ingredients with softening flavors. The gin’s botanical notes pair well with the tart lemon juice, while a splash of applejack (or apple brandy) plays off the grenadine’s fruitiness and helps fortify the drink.

The grenadine does double duty, both sweetening the cocktail and lending its namesake hue. Shaking the Pink Lady with an egg white adds a silky texture and a frothy top, giving this Lady’s classic good looks a familiar twist, like the pre-Prohibition Clover Club with its raspberry syrup (or grenadine) and omits the applejack.

The addition of lemon juice allows the mixture to tone down on the harshness of the spirits and rounds out the drink’s refreshing, zesty notes. A bit of grenadine not only sweetens up the tanginess of The Pink Lady, but its bubblegum hue pairs beautifully with the lemon juice. While potent in both color and flavor, a little grenadine goes a long way.

To finish this cocktail, egg whites help thicken up the mixture and create a frothy top on the pink liquid, resulting in a spectacular-looking cocktail. As with any egg cocktail, shake vigorously for longer than usual to ensure thorough mixing.

Mixing the Perfect Pink Lady 

Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice first, and give the drink a good shake to combine the mixture. This “dry shake” helps get things nice and foamy. Shake for around 30 seconds.

Then, add ice to the shaker and shake again vigorously to chill the drink down. Once thoroughly chilled, strain the cocktail into a chilled glass.

Finally, garnish your Pink Lady with a brandied cherry to add a touch of richness and a pop of color. Now you’ve got the perfect rosy-hued sipper to enjoy!

READ: Mexican White Russian

The Perfect Glassware

The Pink Lady Drink is commonly served in a coupe glass, which is a type of stemmed glass with a wide, shallow bowl. This design showcases the cocktails pinkish hue and foamy covering, giving it an attractive appearance besides its taste.

The stem helps in maintaining the drink chilled, thus preventing the heat from your hand transferring to it. However, if you don’t have one of these glasses, a chilled martini or Nick and Nora would work just as well.

Wrapping It Up

Pink Lady is one of the most vibrant party-boosters to have at any cocktail party or romantic date night at home. Therefore, raise a glass to the Pink Lady while you take some time off to taste both history and flavor that comes with this classical beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the history of the Pink Lady cocktail?

Pink Lady is thought to have originated during the Prohibition era as a means of disguising the rough taste of substandard gin. It acquired favor among elite women in high-end society ranging from 1930s until 1950s and featured in bartending guide of 1951 with some outdated commentary.

What does the Pink Lady contain?

To make a classic pink lady cocktail you will need gin, lemon juice, grenadine syrup and sometimes applejack or apple brandy also egg white if desired.

Why are they called Pink Lady?

This name comes from grenadine, which gives it its signature pink color.

What does Pink Lady taste like?

It tastes both sweet and tart. The gin imparts botanical flavors, while lemon juice adds tanginess; grenadine contributes sugariness plus slight fruity touch. Optionally used egg white bestows velvety consistency on it, additionally forming a frothy layer on top and making one feel its smoothness.

What would you add to a cocktail called a pink lady?

A classic Pink Lady cocktail contains:

• Gin: The base spirit, providing botanical notes.
• Lemon Juice: Adds tartness and balances the sweetness.
• Grenadine: Contributes sweetness, fruity notes, and the signature pink color.
• Egg White: (Optional) Creates a silky texture and frothy top.
• Applejack or Apple Brandy: (Optional) Adds depth and a subtle apple flavor.

If you’d like to experiment with variations, you could try:

• Different Gin: Explore different gin styles like London Dry, Old Tom, or Plymouth.
• Citrus Twist: Add a twist of orange or grapefruit peel for an extra citrusy kick.
• Herbal Liqueur: A dash of elderflower liqueur like St-Germain could add a floral complexity.
• Bitters: A few dashes of Angostura bitters could provide depth and balance.
• Spice: A pinch of cinnamon or a dash of allspice dram could add warmth and spice.
• Garnishes: Experiment with different garnishes like a lemon twist, a raspberry, or even a few drops of rose water.

Pink Lady Cocktail

Recipe by Raise Your GlassCourse: Cocktails

Servings

1

cocktail

Prep time

5

minutes

Total time

5

minutes

Raise your glass to the Pink Lady Cocktail, a delicate and sophisticated blend of gin, applejack, lemon juice, and grenadine. Cheers!

Ingredients

• 1.5 oz. — London Dry gin

• 0.5 oz. — Applejack

• 3/4 oz. — Lemon Juice, freshly squeezed

• 1/4 oz. — Grenadine

• 1 Egg White

• Brandied Cherry to garnish

Directions

• Add all the ingredients to a cocktail shaker without ice first, and give the drink a good shake to combine the mixture. This “dry shake” helps get things nice and foamy. Shake for around 30 seconds.
• Then, add ice to the shaker and shake again vigorously to chill the drink down. Once thoroughly chilled, strain the cocktail into a chilled glass.
• Finally, garnish your Pink Lady with a brandied cherry to add a touch of richness and a pop of color. Now you’ve got the perfect rosy-hued sipper to enjoy!

Notes

• The Pink Lady Drink is commonly served in a coupe glass, which is a type of stemmed glass with a wide, shallow bowl. However, if you don’t have one of these glasses, a chilled martini or Nick and Nora would work just as well.