Collinses and fizzes
Gin Fizz
Made with classic simple syrup · United States, 1876
- highball
- none (served up)
- shake
Gin Fizz
- 2 oz60 ml gin
- ¾ oz22 ml fresh lemon juice
- ¾ oz22 ml simple syrup (1:1)
- 11 egg white (optional; makes it a Silver Fizz)
- Top withTop with chilled soda water (1–2 oz)
- Combine the gin, lemon juice and syrup in a shaker. If using egg white, add it and shake without ice first.
- Add ice and shake very hard until the shaker is frosty.
- Strain into a chilled small highball or fizz glass with no ice.
- Top with 1–2 oz of cold soda water so it foams up, and serve right away.
Garnish: none
The syrup
In this recipe
Classic Simple Syrup¾ oz22 ml
Simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water, heated just until the sugar dissolves.
As printed: 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1) (Punch); Savoy: 1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar
Or use
Cold-Process Simple Syrup (No Heat)¾ oz22 ml
Yes, you can make simple syrup without heat: shake equal weights of sugar and room-temperature water in a sealed jar, rest, and shake again until no crystals remain, about 15 minutes.
As printed: 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1)
Or use
Rich Simple Syrup (2:1)½ oz15 ml
Rich simple syrup is two parts sugar to one part water by weight: 400 g sugar dissolved in 200 ml hot water.
3/4 oz 1:1 ≈ 1/2 oz 2:1.
As printed: 3/4 oz simple syrup (1:1)
Where it comes from
Fizzes first appear in Jerry Thomas's bar guide in the 1870s, and by 1900 the gin fizz was a New Orleans specialty. Unlike a Collins, a fizz is traditionally a smaller drink served without ice.
Source: The Savoy Cocktail Book by Harry Craddock (1930).
Checked against: Punch – Gin Fizz · VinePair – Gin Fizz · Imbibe Magazine – Gin Fizz (Dale DeGroff, The Essential Cocktail) · Cocktail Kingdom Library – Fizz · The Savoy Cocktail Book (1930) – archive.org scan · Jerry Thomas, The Bar-Tender's Guide (1887) – archive.org scan
The Savoy Cocktail Book (Harry Craddock)
Gear for this drink
Mixology & Craft 16-Piece Cocktail Shaker Set
OXO SteeL Angled Measuring Jigger
Best for Measuring syrup into drinks
Cuisinart Fine Mesh Stainless Strainers (set of 3)
Best for Every infused or fruit syrup
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