Maidens Prayer
Gin, orange liqueur, lemon and orange juice, shaken. A Savoy-era gin sour with both citrus juices — a White Lady with a splash of orange, soft and bright.
Built to the standard modern spec; not yet tested in our kitchen. How we test.
The recipe.
Scaling adjusts quantities only. Prepare shaken drinks in individual portions.
Let’s make a good drink.
Chill a coupe.
Add the gin, orange liqueur, lemon juice and orange juice to a shaker.
Fill with ice and shake hard for 10 seconds.
Double strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with an orange peel.
A thoughtful finish
- Fresh juices, both; the drink is a third juice.
- A dry 40% orange liqueur; with a sweet one the orange juice makes it cloying.
- The Savoy's version is equal parts; this leans on the gin and is drier.
Common mistakes
- Carton juice.
- A sweet triple sec.
- Too much orange juice; it is a sour, not a Screwdriver.
A few good questions.
What does a Maiden's Prayer taste like?
A White Lady softened with orange — tart, sweet, fruity, gentle.
What is the name from?
'The Maiden's Prayer', an 1856 piano piece by Tekla Bądarzewska that every Victorian parlour pianist played.
How is it different from a White Lady?
A half-ounce of orange juice alongside the lemon. It is softer and rounder.
Can I add egg white?
Yes; it makes a silky version in the Savoy White Lady manner.
Variations
- White Lady — Gin, orange liqueur and lemon.
- Income Tax — Gin, two vermouths, orange juice and bitters.
- Orange Blossom — Gin and orange juice.
- Sidecar — Cognac, orange liqueur and lemon.
Where it comes from
c. 1930 · London · Savoy Hotel
The Maiden’s Prayer is in the Savoy Cocktail Book of 1930 as gin and Cointreau with lemon and orange juice, shaken — a White Lady with orange juice added, which softens the lemon and gives the drink a rounder, fruitier character. The name is from a Victorian piano piece every parlour knew, and the drink is as gentle as the title. It was forgotten with the fruit sours of the 1930s and survives in the better bar books; with fresh juice it is one of the easiest and most agreeable gin sours.
Sources
- Harry Craddock, The Savoy Cocktail Book, 1930 (book)
- Ted Haigh, Vintage Spirits and Forgotten Cocktails, 2009 (book)
- Difford's Guide, Maiden's Prayer, 2015 (reference)
Strength. About 1.6 US standard drinks at an estimated 23.6% ABV, estimated from the ingredients and technique, not measured. What that means.
A little character in every sip.
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