Clover Club
Gin, raspberry and fresh lemon shaken into a bright pink classic with a smooth, silky foam. Tart citrus and juicy raspberry soften the botanical character of the gin without making the drink overly sweet.
Clover Club Recipe
- Dry gin 45 ml
- Raspberry syrup 15 ml
- Lemon juice 20 ml
- Cocktail foamer 3 dashes
- Ice, for shaking 150 g
- Fresh raspberry 3 pieces, for garnish
Make it properly
- Add the gin, raspberry syrup, fresh lemon juice and cocktail foamer to a cocktail shaker.
- Shake vigorously without ice for about 10 seconds to begin building the foam.
- Add 150 g ice.
- Shake hard for another 10–12 seconds until thoroughly chilled and a smooth foam has formed.
- Double strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with 3 fresh raspberries.
WHAT MAKES A CLOVER CLUB?
A good Pisco Sour should keep the pisco clearly at the centre of the drink.
Fresh lime brings sharp acidity, sugar rounds it out, and the foam softens the texture without hiding the spirit.
The finished cocktail should taste bright, aromatic and balanced, with a smooth top and a clean citrus finish.
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CLOVER CLUB RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Clover Club is essentially a raspberry-led gin sour, but its balance is more delicate than the vivid colour might suggest. Gin provides the botanical foundation, fresh lemon brings acidity and raspberry syrup contributes both fruit and sweetness. Cocktail foamer creates the smooth white layer on top and softens the texture without changing the basic flavour structure. The finished drink should be fresh and slightly tart, with raspberry supporting the gin rather than overwhelming it.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A CLOVER CLUB
Choose a clean, aromatic pisco with enough floral and grape character to remain noticeable after shaking.
Use freshly squeezed lime juice. Its sharp acidity is essential to the drink and gives the Pisco Sour its bright, refreshing edge.
A simple cane sugar syrup softens the citrus without adding competing flavours.
For the foam, we use Fee Brothers Fee Foam. Use 3 dashes per cocktail for a smooth, stable foamy layer.
Finish the drink with aromatic bitters. They add spice and aroma and create the classic contrast against the pale foam.
HOW TO BALANCE A CLOVER CLUB
A Clover Club shouldn't taste like raspberry syrup with gin added to it. The botanical character of the spirit should remain noticeable.
London Dry Gin provides a crisp, juniper-led foundation that stands up well to fruit and citrus.
Raspberry syrup supplies both sweetness and berry flavour. At 15 ml, it should give the cocktail a clear raspberry character without becoming heavy.
Fresh lemon juice provides the acidity needed to balance the syrup. Using fresh citrus is particularly important in a short cocktail with relatively few ingredients.
Cocktail foamer changes texture rather than sweetness. Four dashes create the characteristic foam while allowing the gin, raspberry and lemon to remain the focus.
THE STORY BEHIND THE CLOVER CLUB
The Clover Club dates to the period before Prohibition and takes its name from a Philadelphia social club whose members included prominent journalists, lawyers and businessmen.
The drink became associated with the Bellevue-Stratford Hotel in Philadelphia, where the Clover Club's members gathered. Sources trace the cocktail back to the late 19th century, making it considerably older than many of today's best-known gin drinks.
Like many pre-Prohibition cocktails, it faded from prominence during much of the 20th century before being rediscovered during the modern cocktail revival.
Today it is included in the IBA's Unforgettables category of historic classic cocktails.
HOW TO GET THE FOAM RIGHT
Add all the liquid ingredients and 3 dashes of Fee Brothers Fee Foam directly to the shaker.
Shake first without ice for around 10 seconds to aerate the drink and begin building the foam.
Add ice and shake firmly for another 10–12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
Double straining gives the cocktail a smoother texture and helps the foam sit evenly on top.
SERVE IT PROPERLY
Serve the Clover Club straight up in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass, without ice.
The foam should form a clean white layer across the pink cocktail underneath.
Finish with three fresh raspberries on a cocktail pick. This gives the drink a simple garnish that immediately reflects its main fruit flavour.
Questions about the Clover Club
What is in a Clover Club cocktail?
A Clover Club traditionally combines gin, fresh lemon juice, raspberry syrup and egg white.
What does a Clover Club taste like?
It is bright, tart, fruity and botanical. Raspberry provides sweetness and berry flavour, lemon brings acidity and gin gives the drink its dry botanical backbone.
Why is a Clover Club pink?
Its colour comes from raspberry syrup. Depending on the syrup used, the finished cocktail can range from pale pink to a deeper raspberry red.
How much Fee Brothers Fee Foam should I use?
Use 3 dashes per cocktail.
Do you need to dry shake a Pisco Sour?
Not strictly, but it helps. With Fee Brothers Fee Foam, a short dry shake before adding ice helps create a smoother and more even foam.
What gin is best for a Clover Club?
A London Dry Gin is an excellent choice because its juniper and citrus character works well with raspberry and fresh lemon.
What glass should I use for a Clover Club?
Serve it in a chilled coupe or cocktail glass without ice.
Is the Clover Club an official IBA cocktail?
Yes. The Clover Club is currently included in the International Bartenders Association's The Unforgettables collection of classic cocktails.
