A frothy, smooth, and refreshingly fizzy cocktail, the Gin Fizz is perfect for summertime or anytime.
The first time I had a Gin Fizz, my first sip soon became a… let’s just call it a “refined guzzle”. I immediately fell in love with the drink. The flavors of the gin’s botanicals, the lemon, and sugar all came together with the bubbles of the club soda for a perfectly light and refreshing taste. The egg white froth on top added that literal extra layer of smoothness.
If you’ve never tried or even considered the Gin Fizz, you’re missing out. With more than 150 years of history behind it, this cocktail has stood the test of time, and for good reason. It was likely inspired by the “gin punch” popular in Georgian and early Victorian Britain, but by the 1880s, it made the jump across the pond to America, where the bartenders began to shake the ingredients and eventually added egg white to the recipe.
This updated version of the drink came to be known as the Gin Fizz, and it proved so popular that bartender Henry C. Ramos of New Orleans was heard to have employed 20 bartenders solely for the purpose of shaking and serving the cocktail. During Mardi Gras in 1915, Ramos had to hire 35 bartenders and, according to Stanley Arthur’s book New Orleans Drinks & How to Mix ‘Em, the bar staff “nearly shook their arms off, and were still unable to keep up with demand”.
You won’t need to shake your arms off to make yourself a few of these at home, so don’t worry. A Gin Fizz is fun to make and drink; you’ll love it!
What is the best gin to use in a Gin Fizz?
If I’m indecisive about which gin to choose, I’ll always go with a nice mid-to-top shelf London Dry. They’re usually juniper-forward and mix well in just about everything that calls for the spirit. Some distillers will infuse their gins with rose petals, cucumbers, and a range of other fresh and aromatic botanicals. There are so many choices that part of the joy of making gin-based cocktails, like the Gin Fizz, is that you can play around with the different flavors that are offered. See what you like best, find your own flavor as I always say.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces gin
- 1 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3/4 ounce simple syrup
- 1 egg white about 1/2 ounce
- Club soda to top off, around 1 ounce
- Lemon twist for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, combine gin, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and simple syrup. Add in the egg white.
- Seal your shaker tightly and shake vigorously without ice for about 15 seconds.
- Add 3 or 4 ice cubes to the shaker. Seal it back up and shake again vigorously until the shaker feels ice-cold.
- Double strain into a chilled collins glass. You want to catch any ice shards or bits of egg white.
- Gently pour club soda to top off the cocktail, creating a light fizz that gives the drink its name. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Nutrition
What kind of glassware and garnish are used?
A collins-style glass is the perfect way to enjoy your drink. You’ll want a tall glass, especially when you pour in the club soda… the egg white gets a little frothier, you don’t want any to spill. For garnish, a twist of lemon adds just the right amount of extra citrusy zest.
Aren’t egg whites dangerous to drink?
Always use pasteurized eggs, or you can buy egg whites that are prepackaged, refrigerated, and ready to serve in cartons. Never eat or drink raw, non-pasteurized eggs, as they can carry salmonella and make you sick.
Gin Fizz Variations
The Gin Fizz has many tasty variations, as well as similar cocktails that you might be interested in now that you’ve tasted and loved the classic. See a few from Twist & Toast below.
- Tom Collins – A close cousin to the Gin Fizz, served on the rocks but without an egg white foam top.
- Ramos Gin Fizz – The creamy version invented by bartender Henry C. Ramos of New Orleans.
- Sloe Gin Fizz – This variation uses a British-style sloe gin for a fruitier flavor profile.
- Cucumber Gin Fizz – An ideal option for when the temperatures start to climb.
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