Gin Fizz Cocktail – A Lovely Mess

The Gin Fizz is a delicious cocktail that’s a must try for any gin lover. With its sweet and sour notes, gin-forward taste, sparkling fizz, and foamy top, this drink has it all. Notes of lemon blend with the botanicals of the gin and the added egg white (although optional) gives the drink a creamy mouth feel.

This drink is easy to make in just a few minutes, is light and refreshing, and is similar to its also popular cousin, the Tom Collins, with a few tweaks. We’ve also got tips to make it with and without egg white so you can find the perfect version for you.

Related: Chamomile Elderflower Tom Collins, Whiskey Sours, Amaretto Sour, Hibiscus Sour, Pisco Sour, French 75, Blood Orange Lemon Fizz, Rhubarb Ramos Gin Fizz.

What is a Gin Fizz?

A Gin Fizz cocktail is in the “fizz” class of drinks that combines a spirit with citrus, sugar, and sparkling water. While also similar to a sour, a fizz has the addition of soda to make it a fizzy drink. The Gin Fizz combines lemon juice, gin, simple syrup, club soda, and traditionally an egg white to create a foamy, frothy top.

What’s the difference between a Gin Fizz and a Ramos Gin Fizz?

In addition to the ingredients in a Gin Fizz (gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and club soda), the Ramon Gin Fizz also includes heavy cream, lime, and orange flower water. The Ramos Gin Fizz was first created in New Orleans in the 1880s and tastes similar to lemon meringue pie. If that sounds delicious, give our Rhubarb Ramos Gin Fizz a try!

What’s the difference between a Gin Fizz and a Tom Collins?

Essentially the same ingredients, a Gin Fizz is just a Tom Collins with an egg white also shaken into the drink and less club soda added at the end. Tom Collins are usually served in taller collins glass as well.

Do you have to use an egg white for a Gin Fizz?

Nope! You’ll still get a delicious and fizzy sweet and sour gin drink without the egg white. Just leave it out of your ingredient list and skip the dry shake step—instead shake the gin, simple syrup, and lemon together with ice, strain into a glass and top with club soda. You can also use 2 tablespoons aquafaba (the water in a can of chickpeas) for a similar effect in your drink for a vegan foam.

Ingredients for a Gin Fizz:

Gin: A mid-to-high shelf gin works best for a Gin Fizz. You can choose either a London dry gin (such as Beefeater or Tanqueray) or something that is more aromatic like a Plymouth gin also works well.

Lemon juice: Fresh lemon juice is a must for this drink, so try not to use bottled lemon juice unless absolutely necessary.

Club soda: This is what gives your drink its fizzy bubbles! While you can use sparkling water or seltzer water, club soda has some salt or minerals that add to the taste a bit.

Simple Syrup: The simple syrup adds a sweetness to the drink and you can adjust your sweetness level to taste (and you can easily make your own simple syrup as well!).

Egg white (optional): A pasteurized egg white shaken into the drink will give it a foamy froth that makes the drink rich and creamy.

If you do include the egg, it’s a good idea to do a “sink or float test” to make sure it’s fresh. If you place an egg in a glass of water, fresh eggs will sink to the bottom.

Is raw egg safe to drink in a cocktail?

When using pasteurized egg whites from a store, the chances of getting sick from bacteria is extremely small. However, if you are in a vulnerable category, you can try using 2 tablespoons aquafaba (chickpea water) for a similar effect in your drink.

How to make a Gin Fizz:

Add the gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice (called a dry shake) and shake vigorously.

To chill the drink, add ice to the shaker and shake again until cold.

Strain into a glass and top with club soda. Enjoy!

Gin Fizz Variations:

Golden Fizz: Use the egg yolk instead of the egg white. You’ll have less foam but the egg yolk adds its own flavor and golden color.

Sloe Gin Fizz: This drink switches the gin for a sloe gin, a tart berry-flavored gin made from sloe berries (a relative of the plum).

Diamond Fizz: For this classy variation, use sparkling wine instead of club soda.

Green Fizz: Splash your drink with green crème de menthe and you’ll have a green fizz!

Gin Sour: To go back to a classic, omit the fizzy soda and you’ll have a Gin Sour on your hands.

Gin Fizz tips and tricks:

• You can use lime or lemon juice for this cocktail, so try both and see which you prefer. Lemon works well with sweeter gins while lime juice tends to pair well with dry London gins.
• If your drink is too tart, you can add a little more simple syrup to counteract the sweetness.
• Try a lemon twist as a garnish!
• If you don’t have simple syrup (and don’t feel like making your own), you can use a teaspoon or two of super fine granulated sugar as long as you shake the cocktail well.
• The dry shake is what really gives you lots of foam and helps the liquids merge with each other, so don’t skip that step if using an egg white.
• Try making this with Rosemary Simple Syrup!

Raw Egg Warning: Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.