Fresh eggs can appear an unusual ingredient for making cocktails, however it is used commonly in many recipes.

Raw eggs usually add consistency and body to a cocktail, but it is recommended to take care to ensure they are very fresh at all times.

Fresh eggs not only add a thicker consistency to certain cocktails, they also add a subtle flavour that combines very well with certain spirits and fruit juices. Classic cocktails like Amaretto Sour, Pisco Sour and Fizz all contain fresh eggs.

It is best to avoid cocktail recipes containing eggs if you are pregnant, or unwell – although drinking cocktails should perhaps be avoided altogether in these cases. It can also safer to use pasteurised egg white to avoid any risk of feeling well, or of Salmonella poisoning.

Always store fresh eggs in a refrigerator and use them well before you reach the sell-by date. In addition, it is recommended you discard eggs in the following cases:

• They do not smell fresh, or you are not certain about their freshness
• You notice a crack or imperfection in the shell
• The egg yolk bursts easily, or is not firm
• The egg white is watery, instead of being gelatinous