AI-generated image Drinks & Beverages United States
Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is a Prohibition-era American cocktail made with gin, apple brandy, grenadine, and egg white, served in a coupe glass with a cherry garnish.
About Pink Lady
The Pink Lady is a classic American cocktail that emerged during the Prohibition era in the United States, named after a famously demanding Broadway actress of the early 20th century. It is built on a base of gin, with apple brandy or calvados providing fruit depth, a measure of grenadine syrup giving the drink its signature blush color and a touch of sweetness, and a raw egg white creating a thick, velvety foam when shaken vigorously with ice. The cocktail is served in a chilled coupe or martini glass, often with a cherry or a thin slice of apple as garnish. In the postwar decades, the Pink Lady fell out of fashion along with many Prohibition-era drinks, but it has experienced a significant revival in the craft cocktail movement since the early 2000s, when bartenders rediscovered and reworked classic gin cocktails. The balance between the botanical notes of gin and the sweet-tart apple brandy makes it a sophisticated choice among retro cocktails.
History & Culture
The Pink Lady cocktail emerged in the early 20th century United States, with its name commonly linked to the 1911 Broadway play of the same name, though its precise origin and creator remain debated. The classic recipe, featured in early bartending guides, combines gin, grenadine, lemon juice, and egg white, creating a distinctive frothy pink drink.
Regional variations have occasionally swapped gin for applejack or added a splash of cream, but the gin-based version remains the standard. Its vibrant color and delicate texture made it a symbol of elegance and sophistication, particularly popular in mid-century American bars, and it experienced a revival with the modern craft cocktail movement.
How to make Pink Lady
AI-assisted, not kitchen-testedPink Lady Cocktail
A classic American cocktail that blends gin, applejack, and grenadine with a frothy egg white for a silky, pale-pink finish.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Total
- 5 min
- Serves
- 1
- Difficulty
- Easy
Recipe ingredients
- 45 ml (1½ fl oz) gin, London dry gin recommended
- 30 ml (1 fl oz) applejack, or calvados or apple brandy
- 15 ml (½ fl oz) fresh lemon juice
- 7.5 ml (¼ fl oz) grenadine, adjust to taste
- 1 large egg white, use pasteurized egg white to avoid salmonella risk; if using fresh, ensure it is very fresh and clean
Steps
- 1 Add the gin, applejack, lemon juice, grenadine, and egg white to a cocktail shaker.
- 2 Dry shake (without ice) for 15 seconds to fully emulsify the egg white.
- 3 Add ice to the shaker and shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds until well chilled.
- 4 Strain into a chilled coupe or martini glass.
- 5 Optionally garnish with a maraschino cherry.
Report an issue with this recipe
Where to eat it
In craft cocktail bars and speakeasy-style lounges in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago; at historic bars including the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel in New York; increasingly common on cocktail menus worldwide.
No restaurants are listed for Pink Lady yet. Serve it? Get listed and be the first.
Planning a trip to United States?
Find places to stay and ways to get there.
Recipes from travellers
No one has shared their own Pink Lady recipe yet. Yours would be the first.
Share how you make Pink Lady
You'll need to be signed in with Google or Facebook so your name can appear on it. Recipes go through an automatic food-safety check before they publish.
Sign in to share your recipe
Pink Lady - frequently asked questions
What is Pink Lady?
The Pink Lady is a classic American cocktail that emerged during the Prohibition era in the United States, named after a famously demanding Broadway actress of the early 20th century. It is built on a base of gin, with apple brandy or calvados providing fruit depth, a measure of grenadine syrup giving the drink its…
What is Pink Lady made of?
Pink Lady is made with gin, apple brandy, grenadine, egg white, lemon juice and cherry.
Where does Pink Lady come from?
Pink Lady comes from United States, and is especially associated with United States. The Pink Lady cocktail emerged in the early 20th century United States, with its name commonly linked to the 1911 Broadway play of the same name, though its precise origin and creator remain debated.
Where can I eat Pink Lady?
In craft cocktail bars and speakeasy-style lounges in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago; at historic bars including the Oak Room at the Plaza Hotel in New York; increasingly common on cocktail menus worldwide.
How do you make Pink Lady?
Making Pink Lady at home takes about 5 minutes of prep. The recipe on this page serves 1 and is rated easy. Full ingredient list and step-by-step method are in the recipe section above.
Taste Pink Lady in New York
Independent picks. We earn a small commission if you book through these - at no extra cost to you. How this works.
Before you go to United States
Round out your trip - most travellers book these alongside their trip.
More dishes like Pink Lady
Cheeseburger
Griddled beef patty and melted cheese in a soft bun - an American icon.
United States ·
Nationwide 
AI image
Horseshoe Sandwich
A Springfield, Illinois open-faced sandwich of bread, meat, fries, and a sharp cheddar-beer cheese sauce, on menus across central Illinois since the 1920s.
AI image
Lynchburg Lemonade
Lynchburg Lemonade is a tart, tall cocktail of Jack Daniel's Tennessee whiskey, triple sec, lemon and lemon-lime soda, named for the spirit's home town.
AI image
Mona
Mona is a soft, washed-rind cheese made from goat's milk on a Wisconsin farm, known for its creamy texture and mild, tangy flavour.
Panko · Japan
Maotai Baijiu · China
Cynar · Italy
Curry Goat · Jamaica
Birria · Mexico
Pupusa · El Salvador
Poulet Aux Noix · HaitiTravel guides for United States
All travel guidesPlanning a trip where Pink Lady is on the menu? These guides cover United States and beyond.
Destination Guides South Korea Autumn Travel Guide: Seoul, Busan & Jeju
Sep 13, 2026 · 6 min read
City Breaks New York City on a Budget: How to See NYC Without Going Broke in 2026
May 16, 2026 · 6 min read
Destination Guides New England Fall Foliage 2026: When and Where to Catch Peak Color
Sep 17, 2026 · 6 min read
Travel Tips How to See the Northern Lights in 2026: A Practical Aurora Guide
Sep 16, 2026 · 8 min read
Reviews
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your experience with Pink Lady.
Write a review
Sign in to verify you're a real person, then share your thoughts on Pink Lady.
Comments
No comments yet. Be the first to say something about Pink Lady.