If you’re a fan of fizzes, flips and sassy sours, you know the quintessential cocktail requires practice, patience and the perfect balance of blended flavor. And as tastes become braver and recipes become bolder, cocktails can consist of ingredients more deliciously daring than ever. Bacon and barbeque, you say? Beet puree? Squash?
As strange as some of these additions may seem, many drink-lovers and bartenders balk at the inclusion of an ingredient that’s been around for ages: eggs. We know it might sound unusual to imagine gulping down raw whites with your whiskey, but eggs have been a key part of classic cocktails since the golden drinking days in the early 1900s. And since then, they’ve been incorporated into dozens of oft-ordered drinks. Eggnog, anyone?
If we’ve sparked your attention, you’re probably wondering whether there’s anything to all this egg excitement. Are cocktails with egg whites good? Are they safe? More importantly, how should you go about making a cocktail with eggs? From mixing method to safety to classic and quirky cocktail recipes, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about adding egg white to your drinks.
So what’s all the hype about and why can egg whites be an excellent addition to your cocktail creations? Believe it or not, the answer lies not in the flavor, but in the froth. Much like the milk foam on cappuccinos in the coffee world, egg whites add luscious, fluffy foam atop your cocktail. They also contribute to a rich, creamy body so every sip is smooth and silky.
This reaction occurs because the egg’s main protein, ovalbumin, unravels when you mix, beat or shake an egg. As it unwinds, the ovalbumin traps air into its folds, becoming fluffy and frothy. Like whipping eggs into a meringue, shaking egg white in your cocktail gives it an immediate foamy quality, enhancing its texture without affecting its taste.
Now that you know why you should mix in that meringue-like substance to add silky smoothness to your cocktail, you might want to know the best way to formulate flips, fizzes and fun-flavored drinks that feature egg whites. So how should you incorporate egg whites for the creamiest cocktails? Here’s how to handle your egg white additions:
In cocktails that use only egg whites, you’ll need to separate the white from the yolk. You can go about this in a few different ways, but keep a few details in mind before you begin.
First, your hands should always be extremely clean. Your fingers are likely to come into contact with the shell, white or yolk when cracking the egg, so it’s important to prevent germs or bacteria from entering the cocktail. When choosing the right egg, remember to pick fresh, well-refrigerated specimens. Fresher eggs have thicker membranes between the yolk and egg white. Also, it’s easier to separate cold eggs because their yolks are firmer, making them less likely to break.
Begin your separation by cracking the egg gently against a flat, smooth surface to ensure no eggshell slips into the egg. You can crack the egg cleanly in half and carefully switch the yolk back and forth between the two shell halves, letting the egg white ooze out into the measuring cup, bowl or container you’re using. While this is a common method for removing the yolk, it can pose a small risk of health hazards, because any bacteria present on the shell will come into contact with the egg white.
If you’re feeling adventurous, use your hands to sift the yolk from the egg white or, for a better chance of avoiding bacteria altogether, you can utilize different utensils. Crack the egg through a slotted spoon and let the egg white run through while the yolk sits on top. Use a small funnel that will hold the yolk while the egg white drains or let an egg separator do the work for you. You can also pour the entirety of the egg into a bowl and scoop the yolk out with a teaspoon, making sure not to leave any yolk traces.
The key to forming the perfect froth is being sure to shake the mixture correctly. Integrating the egg with the rest of the cocktail ingredients and completely unwinding the egg proteins requires a decent amount of elbow work and at least a minute of hard shaking.
For the best results, combine the egg white with the other ingredients in a shaker without ice and give the mixture a long “dry shake” to activate the chemical process of the proteins. After about 30 seconds of vigorous shaking, the drink should appear velvety with foam. Add the ice in and shake a second round to dilute and chill. If your arms hurt when you’re finished, it means you’ve done it right.
We know you shook your shaker as hard as you could, but there’s always a small chance of leftover egg white remains that didn’t whip completely. To avoid encountering any gooey strands of escaped egg white when sipping your cocktail, sift the drink through a strainer as you pour from shaker to glass.
Ready to put your extraordinary egg-shaking and separating skills to the test in your own frothy cocktail? You can try your hand at a variety of iconic drinks to delight your taste buds and your culinary creativity. From sours to standby classics, these sample recipes will have you hooked. Here are some traditional tastes to try yourself:
Try this traditional taste with a touch of fruit and foam. Here’s what to do to create your own classic.
This classic cocktail dates back to the 1800s and, despite its name, contains no traces of coffee. Instead, this drink gets its title from the color it assumes when correctly mixed — and because you can enjoy it before and after dinner like a good cup of coffee with a cappuccino-like eggy foam. Here’s the recipe:
Treat your taste buds to a rich, rummy, raspberry-infused flavor fusion in this classic cocktail reminiscent of fancy parties and early-1900s America. Test out this recipe:
This one is a classic that gained fame in 1800s-era New Orleans, where it became a Mardi Gras favorite. Creamy, citrusy and refreshing, this drink goes the distance — and you’ll definitely love its fizz and full flavor. Here’s how to craft your own New Orleans Fizz:
Craving a girly drink that looks as pretty as its appealing, tart taste? This one is perfect for the ladies. With fruity undertones, the aromatic addition of gin, the foamy fizz of an egg white and a dry dash of tartness in each sip, the Pink Lady is perfect for parties or relaxing in style. Here’s how to make your own:
Treat your taste buds to an earthy, floral flavor with a touch of citrus and a silky body. This egg white cocktail will take off the edge. Here’s how to make yours:
Ready to get playful with aromatic flavor and a fruity twist? The Pomegranate Gin Fizz combines citrusy, floral and herbal ingredients for light, accented flavor with extra egg white fizz. Here’s how to create this summery favorite:
You’ve never seen a cocktail as aromatic and exotic as this. With hints of citrus and floral flavors in a creamy liqueur base with smooth egg white, this India-inspired drink combines spice and lightness in a thick, refreshing liquid. Here’s how to craft your own exotic blend:
With fresh flavors, quirky ingredients and unusual combinations, culinary savants and bartenders are constantly creating both modern takes on traditional cocktails and completely new drinks that dazzle. If your tastes are daring and your creative side craves a challenge, try your hand at these crazy new cocktail recipes:
This cocktail is a radiant combination of sweet, spicy, elegant and edgy. Combining citrus, silk and spice, it’s a starburst of flavor in a completely new drinking experience. Here’s how to mix up your own:
Craving a cocktail that’s citrusy and sweet like summer but deep and warm like an autumn draught? With its complicated flavor combination, bubbly base and smooth texture, this cocktail will keep you coming back for more. Here’s how to make yours:
Sweet, spicy and fruity all at once, this cocktail features the unusual addition of ginger puree, which adds an irresistible tartness. The silky quality of the egg white gives the Devil’s Handshake its intriguing smoothness and lets every unique flavor combine for a devilish depth in taste. Add slices of ginger to a blender to make the puree and freeze in cubes if you need to wait until later to mix your drink. Here’s the recipe to try on your own:
Looking for an earthy taste with a hint of cooling freshness? The El Pepino uses gorgeous green ingredients along with egg white to create a flavor reminiscent of summer dew. Try this cocktail at brunch or to cool down from a humid day. Here’s how to make it:
With a fresh, refreshing, cooling flavor, this martini is light and uniquely spiced. For a citrus chill, an unusual eucalyptus undertone and a fizzy finish, try the recipe for yourself. Here’s how:
Interested in keeping it healthy and all-natural when concocting your cocktails? For a drink that’s easy on your waistline, soothing to your stomach and still fantastic in flavor, try a Look Better Naked Margarita. It’s packed with pure ingredients that will leave you feeling fresh. Here’s what to do:
If you love all the subtle spices and fantastic flavors of fall, this cocktail is terrific for your taste buds. A soft, warm vanilla vodka is the basis for a blending of pumpkin and cranberry with the extra richness and cream of egg white. Try this temptation with your Thanksgiving dinner or to warm yourself on a crisp autumn evening. Here’s how to make your own:
Trying to spread a little holiday cheer with the warmth of a cocktail or two for company? Or maybe you’re looking to usher in the season on your own with a little taste of festivity on a Friday night. If you want your drinks as merry as that time of year, try these holiday egg cocktails on your own:
What’s better on a cold winter night than the warmth of some brandy in a creamy cocktail? This classic cocktail dates to the 17th century and its affinity for punch at parties. With the inclusion of a whole egg instead of just egg white, the Brandy Milk Punch is smooth like eggnog and packs an extra punch. Here’s how to make yours:
Need a little taste of the tropical during the dark days of winter? The Holiday Spice Cocktail combines the flavors of Christmas with a touch of the summer season for a series of warm sips with a creamy twist. Here’s how to make your own:
Enjoy all the autumnal goodness of a pumpkin spice latte with an alcoholic twist in this cocktail that combines sweet, strong and spicy. Mix and match with your favorite pumpkin liqueur and anise liqueur to create the depth of flavor you desire with a frothy egg white foam. Here’s how:
Egg white isn’t the only egg ingredient you can use to amp up your cocktails — egg yolks and whole eggs add other benefits, too, like a fuller flavor and a creamier texture with a hint of eggnoggy enjoyment. If you’re brave and love even richer flavor, try these recipes that use eggs in different ways than just the whites:
With a backstory as bold as its flavor, this cocktail dates back to 20th-century Irish murder mysteries and has recently reemerged to the public tongue with its robust, rich taste. Enjoy the enigma of this daring drink by trying the recipe for yourself. Here’s how:
An intriguing mix of anisette, brandy and curacao, the Night Cap is a classic cocktail reminiscent of 1930s-era America. Its use of egg yolk gives it a simple but interesting twist. Here’s how to make yours:
If you’re craving the warm, wintery undertones of a drink as sweet and frothy as your favorite latte, sample the cognac and rum delight of this spiced cocktail. Served hot, the Tom and Jerry is perfect for parties — especially holiday gatherings. The preparation might be more complicated than other cocktails, but the result is well worth it. Reward yourself with this recipe:
To make each cocktail, pre-heat your mugs and heat up the milk, making sure it doesn’t boil. Add a teaspoon of batter and 1 oz. rum and cognac to each cup, then fill with the hot milk, stir until the substance is frothy and add a pinch of nutmeg on top. If you like brandy better than cognac, you can substitute.
Eggnog could be one of your Christmas favorites, or maybe it’s one of those drinks you’ve always been a bit too scared to try because, as its name hints, it uses egg as its key ingredient and not just egg white. Eggnog is defined by its unique incorporation of both egg and milk or cream, making the cocktail silky, thick and creamy with a touch of eggy flavor.
For nogs with added interest for your taste buds, try these unique variations on the classic Christmas drink:
Simple and classy, reminiscent of holiday flavor and easy to whip up on your own, this rich, creamy cocktail calls up the classic nog satisfaction with the extra enjoyment of homemade authenticity. Using only four ingredients, it’s a treat you’ll want to indulge in over and over.
While brandy is the go-to liquor for this cocktail, you can mix up the recipe by using whiskey or rum instead. Gold or aged rums work best, and try Bourbon, Irish, rye or blended Canadian whiskey for unique flavor variations on traditional eggnog. Here’s how to make yours:
Packing a punch with layered spices and a fresh, farmy feel, this twist on traditional eggnog incorporates the rich, nutty flavors of sherry and aged tequila along with raw milk and fresh eggs. Two days of rest are best for fusing all the flavors in this drink before serving. Here’s how to mix your own:
Is Adding Eggs to a Cocktail Safe?
With all the stories of foodborne illness floating around and the especially bad rep assigned to the consumption of raw eggs, you might be a bit concerned about the safety of sipping them in a cocktail. Will you get sick if there are egg whites in your drink? Almost certainly not.
Despite the widespread misconception that you can catch Salmonella from any uncooked egg, only one in 20,000 eggs is actually contaminated. With FDA standards and cleaning regulations in place, the chance of salmonella making its way into sold eggs is so minimal that even in salmonella-infected flocks, fewer than one percent of resulting eggs carry the bacteria.
Although you can usually trust store-bought eggs to be safe and healthy, bacteria can always be a possibility — especially if the eggs aren’t kept fresh. To make sure you’re picking, storing and handling your eggs in the best way to minimize health risks and craft the yummiest cocktail without cause for concern, follow these safety tips:
Choose Sauder Eggs for Excellent Cocktails
To make sure you have the freshest eggs for fantastic flavor in your creative cocktails, choose Sauder Eggs. Emphasizing integrity, excellence, family and freshness for 60 years, we offer superior quality in all our eggs. To start crafting your cocktails with excellent egg whites, search for our stores today.
This post was last modified on September 20, 2021
Of all French pastries, macarons are one of the most iconic. Colorful, delicate, and delicious,…
When Easter time approaches, decorating eggs is one of the most popular traditions the whole…
When you need a quick, healthy meal in the morning, turn to one-pan breakfasts. Many…
Whether you're frying them in the morning or using them to bake a birthday cake,…
Eggs are a staple food in many people's diets. However, eating scrambled and fried eggs…
Have you ever cracked an egg into a bowl of ingredients only to question whether…