Golden Fizz

The Golden Fizz is a classic gin-based cocktail that stands out due to its use of an egg yolk, which gives it a rich texture, creamy mouthfeel, and a beautiful golden color. It's a variation of the more common Gin Fizz, balancing the botanicals of gin with the tartness of lemon juice and a touch of sweetness. The addition of soda water provides a light, effervescent finish, making it a surprisingly refreshing yet substantial drink.
Golden Fizz

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Golden Fizz is a classic cocktail and a member of the Fizz family. Fizzes are a sub-category of sours, characterized by being lengthened with carbonated water, creating a light and refreshing yet complex drink.

Serving

This cocktail is served cold and 'straight up' (without ice) in a chilled Fizz or small Collins glass. It is a moderately strong drink with a rich, foamy head.
Serving size
approx. 150-180 ml / 5-6 oz
Alcohol content
12-16% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Fizz
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Golden Fizz emerged in the late 19th century as part of the "Fizz" family of cocktails, which grew in popularity after the invention of the carbonated water siphon. It was documented in seminal cocktail books like the 1887 edition of Jerry Thomas's "How to Mix Drinks". It serves as the counterpart to the "Silver Fizz" (which uses egg white) and the "Royal Fizz" (which uses a whole egg).
Origin
USA, late 19th century.

Golden Fizz

The name "Golden Fizz" directly refers to the cocktail's key ingredient, an egg yolk, which imparts a distinct golden or yellow color. This visually separates it from its sibling cocktails like the egg-white-based "Silver Fizz".
Original name
Golden Fizz
Alternative name
Yellow Gin Fizz

Characteristics overview

This cocktail has a rich, creamy texture and a pale golden hue, with a flavor profile balancing tart lemon against sweet sugar and gin botanicals. The aroma is bright with citrus, leading to a smooth, effervescent experience.
Flavor
Citrusy, Botanical, Rich, Creamy, Tart
Aroma
Lemon zest, Juniper, Botanical
Taste balance
Sour, Sweet
Aftertaste
Clean, Short, Zesty
Fizziness
Lightly sparkling, Effervescent
Color appearance
Opaque, Pale yellow, Golden, Frothy head
Texture
Creamy, Silky, Rich, Frothy, Smooth
Seasonality
Refreshing, All-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is a prominent balance of sour and creamy, with a moderate alcohol presence and light carbonation. The richness from the egg yolk is a key characteristic, mellowing the gin's botanicals.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The Golden Fizz requires five main ingredients: gin as the base, fresh lemon juice for sourness, simple syrup for sweetness, an egg yolk for richness, and soda water for effervescence.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic, juniper-forward London Dry Gin works best.
  • Lemon Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best flavor.
  • Simple Syrup15 ml / 0.5 oz
    A 1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Egg Yolk1
    Use a fresh, high-quality egg. Pasteurized eggs are a safe option.
  • Soda Water30-60 ml / 1-2 oz, to top
    Must be well-chilled to maintain the drink's temperature.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a jigger for measuring and both a Hawthorne and fine-mesh strainer (for double-straining) to ensure a smooth texture.
  • Cocktail shaker
  • Jigger or measuring tool
  • Hawthorne strainer
  • Fine-mesh strainer

Instructions

The key steps involve a 'dry shake' to emulsify the egg yolk, followed by a 'wet shake' with ice to chill and dilute. The drink is then double-strained for a silky texture and topped with soda water.
1. Chill your Fizz or small Collins glass, preferably in a freezer.
2. Carefully separate one egg yolk and add it to your cocktail shaker.
3. Add the gin, fresh lemon juice, and simple syrup to the shaker with the egg yolk.
4. Perform a 'dry shake' (shaking without ice) for about 15-20 seconds. This emulsifies the egg yolk and creates a rich foam.
5. Add a generous amount of cubed ice to the shaker and perform a 'wet shake' vigorously for another 15-20 seconds until the shaker is frosty cold.
6. Double-strain the mixture into your chilled glass by pouring through both a Hawthorne and a fine-mesh strainer.
7. Gently top with chilled soda water, pouring it down the side of the glass to lift the foam.
8. Express a lemon peel over the drink to release its oils, then use it as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple garnish of a lemon twist is traditional. Expressing the peel's oils over the drink adds an aromatic citrus layer that complements the flavor profile.
  • Lemon Twist: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains egg yolk, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with egg allergies. It is, however, vegetarian, dairy-free, caffeine-free, and can be gluten-free depending on the gin used.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A single serving contains roughly 200-240 calories, primarily from the alcohol and sugar. The carbohydrate and sugar content are relatively low for a cocktail.
Calories
Averagely 200-240 kcal / 837-1004 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 10-12 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 8-10 g
Sugar level

Occasions

The Golden Fizz is a versatile drink suitable for various sophisticated occasions. It is an excellent choice for a weekend brunch, a pre-dinner aperitif, or for impressing guests at a cocktail party.
  • Brunch
  • Aperitif
  • Social Gathering
  • Classic Cocktail Night

Pairing suggestions

The Golden Fizz pairs beautifully with brunch dishes, where its richness complements savory items like eggs benedict. It also works well as an aperitif with light appetizers, fresh oysters, or simple salty snacks that contrast its sweet and sour profile.
  • Brunch foods like Eggs Benedict or Quiche
  • Oysters and light seafood
  • Salty snacks
  • Light appetizers

The Golden Fizz: A Rich and Creamy Classic Cocktail

The Golden Fizz is a sophisticated classic from the late 19th century, notable for its use of an egg yolk. This ingredient creates a wonderfully rich, creamy texture and a distinct golden color, setting it apart from its cousin, the Gin Fizz. It's a beautifully balanced cocktail where the tartness of lemon and the botanicals of gin are softened by the silky yolk and lifted by a light effervescence from soda water. A perfect drink for those who appreciate classic cocktail craft and a rich, textured experience.

Similar Cocktails

Gin Fizz

The original recipe without any egg component, resulting in a lighter, more straightforward sour and soda combination.

Variations

Diamond Fizz

A Gin Fizz (or Golden Fizz) topped with sparkling wine or Champagne instead of soda water.

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