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Pink Lady Cocktail Recipe: Classic Gin & Apple Cider Drink

This Pink Lady cocktail blends Applejack, gin, fresh lemon juice, grenadine, and egg whites for a frothy, pale-pink drink that looks as delightful as it tastes. Bright in color and balanced in flavor, the Pink Lady is sure to impress.

The pink cocktail in a coupe and martini glass with lemon twists as garnish

This cocktail is not just for women

Despite its name and color, the Pink Lady is a serious cocktail with real punch. Applejack and gin combine under a velvet layer of egg white foam to create a balanced drink with depth and character—perfect for anyone who enjoys a classic, elegant cocktail.

Fascinating history of Laird’s Applejack blend

Laird’s AppleJack has deep American roots. The family distillery dates back centuries, and the spirit has evolved over time. Historically it was a straight apple brandy, but modern Laird’s blends apple brandy with neutral grain spirit, creating a smoother, more approachable liquor. That evolution makes it a great choice in cocktails where apple-forward flavor and smoothness are desirable.

What makes this cocktail so thick and creamy?

The frothy texture comes from the egg whites. When properly shaken, egg whites create a silky foam that gives the Pink Lady its characteristic creamy mouthfeel. Use the freshest eggs available and practice good hygiene when handling raw eggs.

What is a dry shake?

A dry shake means shaking the cocktail ingredients without ice first. For cocktails that include egg whites, dry shaking helps the proteins emulsify and trap air, producing a thicker, more stable foam. After the dry shake you add ice and shake again to chill and slightly dilute the drink, yielding a smooth texture.

Helpful tips

  • Start with a dry shake (no ice) to build foam from the egg whites.
  • Hold the shaker lid firmly during the dry shake—pressure can build up when foaming.
  • After the initial dry shake, add ice and shake again to chill the cocktail and refine the texture.
  • For garnish, cut thin lemon twists or peel thin lemon wheels, remove the flesh, and curl the rinds for an elegant finish.
a coupe glass filled with a pink cocktail and a lemon twist on the side of the glass
Photo Credit: Dishes Delish.

How to mix the Pink Lady cocktail

Pre-step

Use a cocktail shaker and do not add ice at first. Have a coupe or martini glass ready and prepare two lemon twists for garnish.

Step one

Gather the ingredients: Applejack, gin, fresh lemon, grenadine, and eggs.

AppleJack liquor, gin, grenadine, lemon and egg on the black table

Step two

Measure 4 ounces AppleJack.

AppleJack liquor measured out with the bottle, shaker and glasses in the background

Step three

Measure 1.5 ounces gin.

Gin measured out with the bottle, glasses and shaker in the background

Step four

Measure 1 ounce grenadine.

Grenadine measured out with the bottle, shaker and glasses in the background

Step five

Measure 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice.

Lemon juice measured out with the lemon, shaker and glass on the table

Step six

Separate two egg whites and add them to the shaker.

Egg white in a measuring glass with the shaker in the background

Step seven

Seal the shaker and dry shake for about 15 seconds. Hold the lid securely—pressure can build during the foam formation.

Step eight

Add ice cubes and shake again for another 15 seconds to chill the drink and refine the texture.

Step nine

Strain the cocktail into two chilled glasses and garnish with lemon twists.

Vertical view of the pink cocktail both in the coupe glass and martini glass

Serve and enjoy.

Tall martini glass in front filled with the cocktail with lemon twists as garnish

Other popular, vibrant cocktails

  • Blue margarita
  • Grapefruit cosmopolitan
  • Tequila sunrise

I hope you enjoy this Pink Lady cocktail—its color and flavor make it a standout. Share which cocktails you love in the comments; I’d love to hear your favorites.

Coupe glass filled with the pink cocktail with a lemon twist in it - square

Pink Lady Cocktail

This Pink Lady cocktail blends Applejack, gin, fresh lemon juice, grenadine, and egg whites for a frothy, pale-pink drink that looks as delightful as it tastes.
Course: Cocktails
Cuisine: Cocktails
Keyword: applejack cocktail, gin cocktails, pink lady cocktail
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 2 cocktails
Calories: 238kcal
Author: Elaine Benoit

Ingredients

  • 4 ounces AppleJack liquor
  • 1.5 ounces gin
  • 1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 ounce grenadine
  • 2 egg whites

Garnish

  • 2 lemon twists

Instructions

  1. Do not add ice to the shaker initially.
  2. Add 4 ounces AppleJack, 1.5 ounces gin, 1.5 ounces lemon juice, 1 ounce grenadine, and the 2 egg whites to the shaker.
  3. Seal the shaker and dry shake for about 15 seconds, holding the lid tightly.
  4. Add ice, then shake again for about 15 seconds to chill and refine the texture.
  5. Strain into two chilled glasses and garnish with lemon twists.
  6. Sip.
  7. Smile and enjoy.

Equipment

  • cocktail shaker
  • coupe glass
  • martini glass

Notes

Helpful Tips

  • Dry shake first to build a stable egg-white foam, then add ice to chill and smooth the texture.
  • Hold the shaker lid securely during the dry shake because foaming can increase internal pressure.
  • For a decorative garnish, cut thin lemon wheels, remove the flesh, and curl the rinds around a stick or chopstick.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Cocktail
|
Calories: 238 kcal
|
Carbohydrates: 11 g
|
Protein: 3 g

First published January 2018.