Clover Club: A Refreshing Piece of History You Can Shake Up at Home
Everything You Need to Know About the Clover Club
Picture it! A lively gathering with friends and family, laughter spills through open windows, and the warm summer sun bathes your patio. You, the gracious host, unveil a coupe glass brimming with a vibrant pink liquid, condensation clinging to its surface. As you pour, the aroma of fresh raspberries and citrus fills the air, a promise of cool refreshment on a hot day. This, my friend, is the magic of the Clover Club – a pre-Prohibition era cocktail brimming with history, flavor, and the potential to impress your guests.
History of the Clover Club: From Philadelphia Social Clubs to Modern Mixology
The Clover Club's story begins in the late 1800s within the walls of Philadelphia's Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. This opulent establishment was a popular haunt for socialites, lawyers, and industrial leaders who gathered to discuss the day's affairs over expertly crafted drinks. Among their favorites was the Clover Club, a delightful concoction of gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white.
For decades, the Clover Club thrived alongside other pre-Prohibition classics. However, with the rise of the temperance movement and the subsequent ban on alcohol, the drink faded into obscurity for much of the 20th century. Thankfully, a resurgence began in the late 20th century with its inclusion in influential cocktail manuals like Gary Regan's "Joy of Mixology". This renewed interest was further solidified by the opening of a Brooklyn bar named after the drink in 2008 by Julie Reiner, solidifying the Clover Club's place in modern mixology.
Clover Club Recipe: Shake Up Your Home Bar
While venturing out for expertly crafted cocktails is certainly enjoyable, there's a unique satisfaction in creating impressive drinks at home. The Clover Club, with its vibrant color, refreshing taste, and historical significance, is a perfect candidate for your home mixology repertoire.
Here's everything you need to know to create this delightful cocktail:
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Gin (high-quality London Dry Gin is a great choice)
- 1/2 ounce Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
- 1/2 ounce Raspberry Syrup (see recipe below)
- 1 Egg White (optional, see Raw Egg Warning below)
- Garnish: Fresh Raspberries (optional)
For the Raspberry Syrup:
- 1 cup Fresh Raspberries
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1/2 cup Water
Steps:
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Make the Raspberry Syrup (optional): Combine raspberries, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve to remove seeds. The syrup will keep refrigerated for up to a week.
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Assemble the Cocktail: Add gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup, and egg white (if using) to a cocktail shaker without ice. Dry shake vigorously for 10 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create a frothy head.
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Shake and Strain: Fill the shaker with ice and shake vigorously for another 15 seconds. Strain the mixture into a chilled coupe glass.
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Garnish (optional): Garnish your Clover Club with a fresh raspberry or a sprig of mint for an extra touch of elegance.
Raw Egg Warning
While the egg white adds a luxurious texture to the Clover Club, it's important to be aware of the potential risks associated with consuming raw eggs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises against consuming raw or undercooked eggs, especially for pregnant women, young children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.
If you're concerned about these risks, you can substitute the egg white with aquafaba (the liquid remaining after cooking chickpeas) for a vegan-friendly alternative. However, be aware that aquafaba may not create as rich and frothy a head as egg white.
Nutritional Info (per serving)
This information is approximate and will vary depending on the brand of gin and the amount of sugar used in the raspberry syrup.
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g (including naturally occurring sugars)
- Fat: 0g
Please note: This nutritional information does not take into account the egg white (if used).
Beyond the Clover Club: Mastering the Art of Homemade Cocktails
Crafting a delicious Clover Club is a fantastic way to impress your guests and elevate your home entertaining game. But the world of mixology offers a universe of flavors and techniques waiting to be explored! If you're looking to truly take your cocktail-making skills to the next level, consider enrolling in a course like Barprints' Mixology Mastery: Online Bartending Course.
This comprehensive program, designed for home bartenders like you, equips you with the knowledge and skills to create classic cocktails like the Clover Club with confidence, explore new flavor combinations, and craft signature drinks that will leave your guests speechless.
Barprints' Mixology Mastery course goes beyond recipes. It delves into essential bartending techniques like proper shaking and stirring methods, the fascinating history behind classic cocktails, and even the science of flavor pairing. With this knowledge at your fingertips, you'll be well on your way to becoming a home mixology master, ready to create an unforgettable experience for every gathering.
Sure, whipping up a batch of perfectly balanced Clover Clubs is impressive, but imagine the awe you'll inspire when you confidently craft a smoky Old Fashioned or a refreshing Mojito using techniques learned from the course. Barprints' Mixology Mastery empowers you to become a true host, not just serving drinks, but creating an interactive and memorable experience for your guests.
The Clover Club is a testament to the enduring appeal of classic cocktails. By mastering its creation at home, you not only connect with a piece of history but also unlock a world of mixology possibilities. So, shake out your cocktail shaker, explore the world of homemade drinks, and unleash your inner bartender. Who knows, maybe your next creation will become the next crowd-pleasing classic!
