Pink Lady: The Cocktail That’s Sweet but Not Too Sweet

The Pink Lady is that friend who shows up lookin’ all sweet and pretty but can still drink you under the table. She’s all soft blush and silky foam on top but underneath… she’s got some kick.

You got gin as the backbone, a splash of lemon to keep it zippy and just enough grenadine to bring the sweet without turning it into a sugar bomb. And that egg white? Yeah, it’s the secret weapon… gives it that smooth, creamy finish that makes you wanna take your time.

It’s the kind of drink that’s just as at home at a bougie brunch as it is on your couch in sweats. Fancy without the fuss… flirty without tryin’ too hard.

What It Is & Where It Comes From

The Pink Lady might look all soft and sweet but she’s got history. This one goes back to the 1920s when cocktails were all about lookin’ cute and knockin’ you out at the same time.

It started as a gin sour with a little grenadine to give it that signature blush. And the egg white? That was the move to make it all velvety and smooth… basically like putting a fancy dress on a shot of gin.

Over the years, it got a rep as a “girly drink” but don’t let that fool you. The gin keeps it bold and crisp, the lemon juice keeps it sharp and the grenadine pulls it all together with a hint of sweet. It’s a classic for a reason… pretty but with some serious bite.

Tips for Making the Perfect Pink Lady at Home

You don’t need a fancy bar setup to pull off a killer Pink Lady… just a few simple moves to keep it smooth and balanced.

• Chill your glass: Fill it with ice water while you mix… keeps the drink crisp from the first sip.
• Fresh lemon juice: Skip the bottled stuff. Fresh lemon hits harder and tastes way better.
• Dry shake first: Shake the gin, lemon and egg white without ice… that’s how you get that creamy foam.
• Shake it hard: Add ice and shake it like you mean it… the colder, the better.
• Measure it out: Too much grenadine and it’s candy-sweet… too little and it’s just gin and egg white.
• Garnish smart: Lemon twist for a fresh hit or a cherry to keep it classic.

Food Pairing Ideas For The Pink Lady Cocktail

A Pink Lady is light, zesty and a little sweet, so you want snacks that play nice without stealing the show. Keep it simple, keep it fresh.

Soft cheeses: Brie or camembert… creamy, rich and just a little funky.

Smoked salmon: Salty and silky… pairs perfectly with that lemony kick.

Spicy nuts: Sweet and spicy almonds or cashews… crunchy and a little bold.

Crostini with goat cheese: Tangy, creamy and just the right amount of rich.

Fresh berries: Strawberries or raspberries… a little tart to cut through the sweet.

Sea salt popcorn: Light, crunchy and way better than basic chips.

The Delicious Pink Lady Cocktail

The Pink Lady Cocktail is a delightful blend of gin, lemon juice and grenadine, topped with a frothy egg white. It’s a refreshing and light drink that delivers a perfect balance of sweet and sour, making it an ideal choice for any occasion.

Ingredients

• 2 oz Gin
• 1 oz Fresh Lemon juice
• 1/2 oz Grenadine
• 1 Egg White (optional)
• Ice
• Lemon twist or cherry for garnish

Zero-Proof Pink Lady: Swap the gin for a non-alcoholic botanical spirit. Shake it up with lemon juice, grenadine and egg white. Same blush color, same silky foam… just no booze.

Instructions

1. Shake the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, grenadine and egg white. Dry shake (without ice) for about 15 seconds to froth the egg white.
2. Add Ice: Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish: Top with a lemon twist or cherry for an elegant finish.

Prep Times

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 5 minutes

Nutrition Information

• Servings: 1 cocktail
• Calories: 210 kcal
• Fat: 0g
• Protein: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 25g

Did you enjoy the Pink Lady and need inspiration for some other gin based cocktails? Why not try a French 75, a Gimlet or a bramble cocktail?

Pink Lady Variations to Try

Once you nail the classic, it’s easy to switch things up. Just a few tweaks and you’ve got a whole new vibe.

Berry Pink Lady: Swap grenadine for raspberry syrup… keeps it tart and fruity.

No Egg White: Skip the foam for a lighter, crisper sip… perfect for hot days.

Sparkling Pink Lady: Top it off with a splash of soda or prosecco… extra bubbles, extra fun.

Whiskey Pink Lady: Replace gin with bourbon… richer, deeper flavor and a little smokier.

Tropical Pink Lady: Add a splash of pineapple juice… keeps it sweet and beachy.

Low Sugar Pink Lady: Use a sugar-free grenadine and fresh lemon juice… lighter but still hits the spot.

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Yield: 1

Pink Lady Cocktail Recipe

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Meet your new signature Pink Lady drink: fruity, tangy, and laced with gin for the perfect finish. Made for those who love cocktails as pretty as they are tasty.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 60 ml Gin
• 30 ml Fresh Lemon juice
• 15 ml Grenadine
• 1 Egg White (optional)
• Ice
• Lemon twist or cherry for garnish

Instructions

1. Shake the Ingredients: In a cocktail shaker, combine the gin, fresh lemon juice, grenadine, and egg white. Dry shake (without ice) for about 15 seconds to froth the egg white.
2. Add Ice: Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well chilled.
3. Strain: Strain the mixture into a chilled cocktail glass.
4. Garnish: Top with a lemon twist or cherry for an elegant finish.

Notes

Zero-Proof Pink Lady: Swap the gin for a non-alcoholic botanical spirit. Shake it up with lemon juice, grenadine and egg white. Same blush color, same silky foam... just no booze.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

1

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 210Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 64mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 3gSugar: 14gProtein: 5g

This nutrition information was automatically calculated by Nutritionix, but may not be 100% accurate.