Eggs in cocktails might sound unusual at first, but they’ve been a staple in classic mixology for over a century. The goal isn’t to add protein or turn your drink into breakfast — it’s to create texture.
An egg white adds silky body, lifts aromatics, and creates that luxurious, foamy crown. Egg yolk brings richness and depth. And unlike adding cream, eggs don’t make a drink heavy or dessert-like unless the recipe is designed that way.
If you’re ready to explore this timeless technique, here are five iconic egg-based cocktails — plus exactly which spirits work best in each. (Always use pasteurized eggs for safety.)
1. Pisco Sour
Best spirit to use: Pisco
A pillar of Peruvian cocktail culture, the Pisco Sour is bright, citrusy, and beautifully frothy. It’s built with pisco, fresh lemon (or lime), simple syrup, and egg white, shaken hard with ice and finished with aromatic bitters.
The egg white creates that signature thick foam cap, giving the drink its smooth, cloud-like texture.
BottleStork pick: Casa Dragones Blanco for a clean, elegant twist — or classic Peruvian pisco varieties if available.
2. Eggnog
Best spirits to use: Brandy, Rum, or Bourbon
The holiday classic. Rich, velvety eggnog combines whipped egg whites, egg yolks, cream, milk, sugar, and warming spices.
Spirit choice changes its personality:
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Brandy → traditional, silky, warming
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Aged rum → sweeter, deeper, caramelized
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Bourbon → bold, spicy, aromatic
Top with nutmeg or cinnamon and enjoy chilled or as a warm Tom & Jerry style variation.
BottleStork picks: Legent Bourbon, Goslings Black Rum, or Rabbit Hole Cavehill Bourbon.
3. Prairie Oyster
Best spirit to use: None — this one’s spirit-free
More of a hangover remedy than a cocktail, the Prairie Oyster is a cinematic classic made from a raw egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. You swallow it whole rather than sip it.
No spirit required — just courage.
4. Golden Fizz
Best spirit to use: Gin
The Golden Fizz is a bright, airy spin on a sour created by award-winning bartender Dale DeGroff. Made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, seltzer, and a beaten whole egg, it’s refreshing, citrus-forward, and surprisingly light.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the syrup for a crisper finish.
BottleStork pick: Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin for maximum aromatic lift.
5. Classic Whiskey Sour
Best spirit to use: Bourbon
One of the great pre-dinner cocktails, the Whiskey Sour is a simple, timeless blend of bourbon, lemon juice, sugar, and egg white. It can be shaken and strained or served over ice.
Egg white transforms it into a silky Boston Sour, while topping it with a float of dry red wine creates the famous New York Sour.
BottleStork pick: Old Forester 1920 Bourbon or Legent Bourbon for rich depth.
Final Pour
Egg cocktails aren’t just a bartender’s trick — they’re a way to add finesse and texture to your home mixology. Whether you’re making something cozy for winter or something bright and citrusy for warmer weather, these five drinks show exactly why eggs have stood the test of time behind the bar.
Ready to mix? BottleStork has the spirits you need to shake up something stunning. Cheers. 🥂
