Clover Leaf

Spirit Type: Gin Cocktails

Description: The Clover Leaf is a floral, fruity, and sweet gin drink, made with grenadine (pomegranate syrup), lemon juice, and egg whites, resulting in a cocktail with the taste and mouthfeel of berry cream soda. It is sometimes confused with the Clover Club, which uses raspberry syrup in place of the grenadine and vermouth for the lemon juice. (Longtime Tulsa caterer Cleora Butler enjoyed combining grenadine and vermouth—pantry staples that are more accessible than raspberry syrup and fresh lemon juice.) Either way, the drink is sensational, and is another delicious way to serve that homemade grenadine mixed with Old Tom gin, which is mild and smooth. If you prefer raspberry syrup to the grenadine, this updated option relies on Chambord, a luxury brand of black raspberry liqueur, to tone down some of the sugar. Pasteurized egg whites or half-and-half also replace the frothy raw egg. In either case, this technique demonstrates the high art of cocktail making, shaking to create a beautiful crown of foam.

Instructions: Combine the Chambord or grenadine, lemon juice, egg white or half-and-half, and gin in a cocktail shaker with ice cubes. Shake vigorously for 10 seconds, until the ingredients are cold and the mix is frothy with a pink blush. Strain into a Martini or coupe cocktail glass, making sure there is a thin layer of foam and a few small ice chips floating on top. Garnish with the mint leaf.