Ramos Gin Fizz

Here’s an over-the-top impressive classic cocktail: the Ramos Gin Fizz! The impossibly tall frothy topping and tangy burst of lime, lemon and orange blossom water makes it taste just like a lemon meringue pie. Is the Ramos Gin Fizz better than the classic Gin Fizz? Absolutely. In all honesty, we didn’t think anything could beat the classic. But one sip of this one, and you’ll realize just how special this drink is.

What’s in a Ramos Gin Fizz?

The Gin Fizz is a classic cocktail made with gin, lemon, simple syrup and soda water. The first printed recipe for a gin fizz was in an 1876 book, and it rose to mass popularity starting in the 1900’s. The most common variation on a gin fizz adds an egg white to get that classic, foaming topping. The Ramos gin fizz is a variation on the gin fizz, invented in New Orleans in 1888 by a bartender named Henry Ramos. Invented at his bar the Imperial Cabinet Saloon, it was originally called the New Orleans Fizz. Apparently, the drink took whole 12 minutes to shake up back in the day! (That’s not required in our recipe, don’t worry.) Today, the Ramos gin fizz has been immortalized by the International Bartender Association’s IBA official cocktails, meaning it has an official definition. The ingredients you’ll need are:

GinLemon juice, fresh squeezedLime juice, fresh squeezedSimple syrupHeavy creamOrange flower water (aka orange blossom water)Egg white Soda water

The key to the egg white foam: a dry shake!

Why add an egg white to your Ramos Gin Fizz? Adding egg whites in cocktails has been a tradition since the 1860’s. The foam does two things: it adds a frothy texture to the top of the drink, and a creamy rich flavor to each sip. There’s a special technique to getting a great egg white foam that works in both the classic Gin Fizz and the Ramos Gin Fizz. It’s called a Dry Shake. Here’s how it works:

Shake the drink ingredients without ice first. This lets the protein in the egg begin to form foam, instead of being diluted by the ice.Then add ice and shake again. This cools the drink and strengthens the foam. Strain it into the glass and you’ll get a thick, white frothy layer.

What is orange flower water?

Most the ingredients in a Ramos Gin Fizz are pretty standard for cocktails: gin, citrus juice, even a little heavy cream (though it’s more common in after dinner drinks). But there is one very unique ingredient to consider: orange blossom water! It’s what gives this cocktail its delicate, floral flavor. It is 100% required to make a true Ramos Gin Fizz: so don’t go leaving it out! Here’s what to know about this ingredient:

Orange flower water, aka orange blossom water, is a scented water made with the essential oils of orange flower petals. It’s often used in Moroccan and Middle Eastern cuisine: but is unusual to cocktails! (Try it in this Carrot Salad with Orange Blossom Vinaigrette.)Where to buy orange flower water? You can find it in the grocery near Middle Eastern ingredients, or it’s easy to find orange flower water online.

How to make a Ramos Gin Fizz (basic steps)

Assemble your ingredients: here’s how to make a Ramos Gin Fizz! The only time involved is juicing the lemon and separating out the egg white! Contrary to the method used in the 1880s, there’s no need to shake the drink for 10 minutes. Here are the basic steps (or jump to the recipe): And that’s it! Let us know what you think of this incredibly special classic cocktail. It’s become a favorite over here!

There are lots of classic gin cocktails that are related to the gin fizz! Here a few that are very similar:

Gin Fizz The classic! Just gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white. Tom Collins A popular variation…using the same ingredients!Pegu Club Gin, Cointreau and lime: so refreshing!French 75 Champagne, lemon, gin and simple syrup. It’s also called the Diamond Fizz!Gin Sour A classic sour using…you guessed it! Gin, lemon and simple syrup. Sloe Gin Fizz A 1960’s spin using Sloe Gin.