Gin Fizz
The Gin Fizz is a classic gin cocktail made with fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water. Light, citrusy and refreshing, it combines the botanical character of gin with bright acidity and gentle bubbles. Shaken with ice and served in a chilled highball glass without ice, this easy Gin Fizz recipe is ready in just 3 minutes.
Gin Fizz Recipe
- Dry gin 45 ml
- Lemon juice 30 ml
- Cane sugar syrup 10 ml
- Soda water 80 ml
- Ice, for shaking 150 g
HOW TO SHAKE A CLASSIC GIN FIZZ
- Chill a tall highball glass before preparing the cocktail.
- Add 45 ml dry gin, 30 ml fresh lemon juice and 10 ml cane sugar syrup to a cocktail shaker.
- Add approximately 150 g ice and shake firmly for 10–12 seconds until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into the chilled highball glass without adding serving ice.
- Slowly top with 80 ml well-chilled soda water. Stir very gently only if necessary to combine.
- Garnish with a fresh lemon slice if desired, and serve immediately while sparkling.
WHAT MAKES A GOOD GIN FIZZ?
A great Gin Fizz balances botanical gin, fresh lemon acidity, gentle sweetness and lively carbonation. The gin should remain noticeable, while lemon provides a bright citrus character and sugar syrup softens the sourness without making the cocktail overly sweet.
The gin, lemon and syrup are shaken with ice before soda water is added. This creates a lightly aerated texture and a refreshing sparkling finish. Unlike a Ramos Gin Fizz, the classic Gin Fizz contains no cream or egg white and does not require a thick, stable foam.
The finished drink should be cold, crisp and refreshing, with a clean gin flavour and fine bubbles.
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GIN FIZZ RECIPE, INGREDIENTS & TIPS
The Gin Fizz belongs to the classic family of sour cocktails finished with sparkling water. It uses just four main ingredients: gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water. Although it shares ingredients with the Tom Collins, the Gin Fizz is traditionally shaken before soda is added and served without ice. This guide explains the ideal proportions, how to choose the right gin and how to create a refreshing sparkling cocktail without losing its carbonation.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR A GIN FIZZ
A classic Gin Fizz starts with a London Dry Gin that has clear juniper and citrus notes. Its botanical character needs to remain noticeable after the lemon juice and soda water are added. Tanqueray London Dry Gin is an excellent choice because its crisp, juniper-forward profile works particularly well in refreshing citrus cocktails.
Use freshly squeezed lemon juice for clean, bright acidity. With only four main ingredients, fresh lemon makes a noticeable difference to the finished drink.
For sweetness, MONIN Pure Cane Sugar Syrup provides a consistent flavour and blends easily with the other ingredients. Our recipe uses 10 ml per cocktail, creating a relatively dry Gin Fizz.
Finish with Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water for lively carbonation and a clean, neutral flavour. The soda should be well chilled and added only after the gin mixture has been shaken and strained.
A fresh lemon slice can be added as an optional garnish to reinforce the citrus aroma.
HOW TO BALANCE A GIN FIZZ
Our Gin Fizz recipe combines 45 ml gin, 30 ml fresh lemon juice, 10 ml cane sugar syrup and 80 ml soda water. This creates a distinctly citrus-forward cocktail with gentle sweetness and a light, sparkling finish.
If the drink tastes too sour, increase the sugar syrup slightly. If it tastes too sweet, reduce the syrup or add a little more fresh lemon juice. The goal is to balance the citrus while keeping the gin's botanical character noticeable.
Soda water controls the drink's strength and overall freshness. Adding more produces a lighter, longer cocktail, while using less creates a more concentrated gin and lemon flavour.
For the best result, keep the soda water thoroughly chilled and add it after shaking. This preserves carbonation and creates the refreshing texture expected from a classic Gin Fizz.
THE STORY BEHIND THE GIN FIZZ
The Gin Fizz belongs to the historic Fizz family of cocktails, which became popular in the United States during the nineteenth century. The style combines a spirit, citrus juice and sugar with sparkling water to create a refreshing long drink.
The Gin Fizz was recorded in cocktail books as early as 1876 and developed into one of the best-known examples of the Fizz family.
Over time, several variations emerged. The Silver Fizz introduced egg white for a smoother texture, while the Golden Fizz used egg yolk. The more elaborate Ramos Gin Fizz added cream, citrus, orange flower water and other ingredients to create its distinctive creamy foam.
The classic Gin Fizz remains the simplest expression of the style: gin, fresh lemon, sugar and soda water, shaken and served cold with refreshing carbonation.
HOW TO SHAKE AND TOP A GIN FIZZ
The key to preparing a Gin Fizz is shaking the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup before adding soda water.
Combine the three ingredients in a cocktail shaker with approximately 150 g ice and shake firmly for 10–12 seconds. This chills, dilutes and combines the ingredients while introducing a little aeration.
Strain into a chilled highball glass without ice, then gently add 80 ml cold soda water. Avoid vigorous stirring, which can release carbonation and flatten the drink.
Never shake the soda water inside a sealed cocktail shaker. Carbonation creates pressure and can cause the shaker to open unexpectedly.
The finished cocktail should have lively bubbles and a light, refreshing texture rather than the thick foam associated with a Ramos Gin Fizz.
HOW TO SERVE A GIN FIZZ
Serve a classic Gin Fizz in a chilled highball glass or tall, narrow tumbler without ice. The drink should be thoroughly chilled during shaking, then finished with cold soda water immediately before serving.
The glass should showcase the cocktail's pale colour and delicate bubbles. A small amount of temporary froth is normal, but a classic Gin Fizz does not require a thick foam layer.
Garnish with a fresh lemon slice if desired. Serve immediately while the cocktail is cold, crisp and sparkling.
RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS
Tanqueray London Dry Gin
A classic juniper-forward gin with citrus and botanical notes that remain noticeable when mixed with lemon and soda water.
MONIN Pure Cane Sugar Syrup
Provides smooth, consistent sweetness and makes it easy to measure the exact amount needed for a balanced Gin Fizz.
Fever-Tree Premium Soda Water
A clean, sparkling mixer that adds refreshing bubbles without introducing competing flavours.
Cocktail Shaker & Strainer
The Gin Fizz is shaken before soda water is added. A reliable cocktail shaker and strainer make it easier to chill the ingredients properly and produce a smooth, refreshing result.
TIPS & VARIATIONS
Keep everything cold. A Gin Fizz is traditionally served without ice, so a chilled glass, properly shaken gin mixture and cold soda water are essential.
Use fresh lemon juice. Bottled lemon juice can taste less vibrant and may change the balance of the cocktail.
Don't aim for a large foam cap. A classic Gin Fizz should be light and refreshing. For a richer, creamy variation, explore the Ramos Gin Fizz.
Adjust the soda water. Use slightly less for a stronger gin flavour or a little more for a lighter, longer drink.
Try a Tom Collins. This closely related cocktail is commonly served over ice and offers a longer, refreshing gin-and-lemon experience.
Experiment with gin styles. London Dry Gin creates a crisp botanical finish, while Old Tom Gin can produce a softer, slightly sweeter variation.
Questions about the Gin Fizz
What is in a Gin Fizz?
A classic Gin Fizz combines gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar syrup and soda water.
What's the difference between a Gin Fizz and a Ramos Gin Fizz?
A Gin Fizz is a simple combination of gin, lemon, sugar and soda. A Ramos Gin Fizz is considerably richer and traditionally adds lime, cream, egg white and orange flower water. The current IBA recipes reflect this distinction.
Does a Gin Fizz contain egg white?
Not the standard Gin Fizz. Egg white belongs to certain Fizz variations, while the classic Gin Fizz recipe does not require it.
Is a Gin Fizz served with ice?
The cocktail is shaken with ice but the current IBA recipe specifies that it should be served without ice.
How many Gin Fizzes can I make?
Choose 6, 12, 24 or 48 cocktails and the quantities you need are calculated automatically. Select your preferred products and remove anything you already have.
Is the Gin Fizz an official IBA cocktail?
Yes. The Gin Fizz is currently included in the International Bartenders Association's The Unforgettables category. IBA See the IBA's official Gin Fizz recipe for its classic specification.