Gin Fizz

One of the great classic highball formats: gin, fresh lemon, sugar, and soda water shaken and topped with bubbles.

Gin Fizz cocktail made with gin, served in a highball glass
Base
gin
Glassware
Highball glass
Flavor Profile
sourrefreshingherbal

Ingredients

  • 2 oz gin
  • 1 oz fresh lemon juice
  • 0.75 oz simple syrup
  • Soda water, to top
  • Lemon wheel, to garnish

Instructions

  1. 1Add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice.
  2. 2Shake until well chilled.
  3. 3Strain into a chilled highball glass over fresh ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a lemon wheel.

Origin & Story

United States, late 1800s

The Fizz family — spirit, citrus, sugar, soda — was one of the dominant cocktail formats of the late 19th century. Jerry Thomas documented several versions in his 1876 guide, and the Gin Fizz became its most popular expression. At its peak in early-20th-century New Orleans, some bars employed teams of bartenders who did nothing but shake Fizzes all day.