Classic Gin Fizz Cocktail

What is a Gin Fizz?

The Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail made with Gin (alcohol distilled from juniper berries), bright lemon, bubbly soda water, a little sweetener and — believe it or not — egg whites!

Given this unusual ingredient, it may just be the coolest cocktail ever — perfect for any party, celebration or to cool down on a hot summer day.

It’s also quite easy to make. In a cocktail shaker vigorously shake your gin, lemon juice, simple syrup and egg whites. Pour into your preferred type of glass and top with soda water. You can add ice cubes if you wish and definitely garnish with a lemon slice.

History Behind the Gin Fizz:

The first recorded history of the word “fizz” showed in the appendix of Jerry Thomas’s “Bartenders Guide” in the late 1800s, according to Wikipedia. However, fizz drinks didn’t gain popularity in America until the early 1900s and through the 1940s.

By the 1950s, though, the Gin Fizz had made quite a name for itself as its popularity grew. Soon bartenders everywhere were shaking up this effervescent concoction that we know and love today.

Gin itself has a very long history — which is no surprise since its origins date back to the early 11th century. It was made by monks in Europe for medicinal purposes. The star ingredient in gin is the juniper berry which had been used for its medicinal properties. In fact, juniper berries were used to treat the common cold, as well as muscle aches and pains. So, it makes sense that doctors of the time prescribed gin as tonic to treat their patients.

As a libation, it was popularized in England during the late 1600s and the rest, you can say, is history.

Health Benefits

Did you ever think that you could brag about the health benefits of a cocktail? Well, this may be the very cocktail that allows you to do so.

Each egg white contains high-quality protein. Egg whites are also high in selenium — a whopping 90% of your daily recommended amount, in fact. Plus, egg whites have plenty of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin B, vitamin D and folate.

So why put egg whites in a cocktail? Egg whites added to any cocktail will add thickness. The egg whites also help balance the sourness in a cocktail and (added bonus!) they give drinks a nice foamy top.

Lemon juice is most known for being high in vitamin C. But did you know that it’s used for digestion, clearer skin and helps maintain healthy blood sugar?

We’re not suggesting that a gin fizz is a meal in a glass by any means. But if you’re going to drink one, we’re happy that it has health benefits in addition to tasting so great.

Fizz Cocktail Variations

Just like with any cocktail there are numerous variations on the Gin Fizz. Citrus is one of the easiest ways to adjust the flavor. We used the classic lemon, but you can use lime, grapefruit, Meyer lemon, tangerine, oranges, etc.

Did you know that you can also get flavored gin?

Just like vodka, the world of gin is opening up to complementary flavors to the juniper berry. Flavored gins can put a new twist on the classic gin fizz right out of the bottle.

Same is true for soda water. Soda water is no longer just soda water. Today you can buy soda water in any flavor you can imagine — even some flavors you may not have even heard of yet.

If you’re looking for a truly unique variation, try using our pasture raised duck egg whites instead of the whites from our chicken eggs. Both create an equally wonderful froth, but if you do choose to use duck eggs, the additional protein in duck egg whites will produce a firmer froth, and some mixologists pick duck eggs for this drink for just that reason.

Tips for Garnishing a Gin Fizz

We think that the garnish for this drink doesn’t get nearly enough attention. After all, it’s what makes your gin fizz look pretty — and when a cocktail looks pretty, it tastes even better. Of course, that does depend on the taste buds of the drinker, but how something looks can play a big part in our perception of its taste.

We chose to use a lemon slice and a candied lemon peel, but you can do the same thing with a lime or orange slice as well.

To make your gin fizz cocktail extra special, we recommend using the lemon slice inside the side of the glass. Simply use the back of a spoon to gently press the slice against the side of the glass until it stays in place. Then gently pour the cocktail into the glass.

For the final touch, carefully place the thin lemon peel on the foam. If it sinks, simply rest one edge of the peel on the rim of the glass for support.

Cheers!