Morning Glory Fizz

The Morning Glory Fizz is a sophisticated classic that beautifully balances the malty notes of Scotch whisky with bright lemon citrus and a hint of anise from absinthe. The inclusion of egg white gives the drink a silky, creamy texture and a beautiful frothy head when prepared correctly. Topped with soda water, it's a tall, invigorating drink that's more complex than a simple highball, offering a layered and satisfying drinking experience.
Morning Glory Fizz

Preparation

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Morning Glory Fizz is a classic cocktail belonging to the 'fizz' family, which are mixed drinks characterized by citrus, a spirit, a sweetener, and carbonated water. It is considered a long drink and was historically enjoyed as a morning restorative or 'pick-me-up'. Its classic status is cemented by its appearance in late 19th-century bartending guides.

Serving

Serve this cold, frothy cocktail in a tall, chilled Collins or fizz glass. Its alcohol content is moderated by the addition of soda water, making it a refreshing long drink rather than a short, boozy sipper.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

The Morning Glory Fizz is believed to have been created in the 1880s and was famously documented by Harry Johnson in his 1882 "New and Improved Bartender's Manual". It was presented as a "morning beverage" or a "bracer," intended to settle the stomach and clear the head after a long night. Its name reflects this purpose as an elegant way to start the day or recover from the previous evening's festivities.
Origin
The drink originated in the United States during the late 19th century. Its first known appearance in print is in Harry Johnson's bartending guide from 1882, cementing its place as a classic American cocktail from that era.

Morning Glory Fizz

The drink is consistently known as the Morning Glory Fizz. A variation served without soda water in a coupe glass is sometimes called the Morning Glory Cocktail. Modern interpretations may have slight adjustments to the classic recipe, but the core name remains.
Original name
Morning Glory Fizz
Alternative names
  • Morning Glory Cocktail
  • New Morning Glory Fizz

Characteristics overview

This cocktail delights with a complex flavor profile where sour citrus meets sweet malt and herbal anise, presented in a creamy, frothy texture. Its pale, opaque appearance with a thick foam head is visually appealing, making it a refreshing choice year-round.
Flavor
Citrusy, sweet, malty, herbal, anise
Aroma
Lemon, anise, malt, whisky
Taste balance
Sour, sweet, complex
Aftertaste
Clean, herbal, lingering
Fizziness
Bubbly, frothy
Color appearance
Pale yellow, opaque, thick white foam head
Texture
Creamy, silky, light, foamy
Seasonality
Refreshing, all-season

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor profile is led by a prominent sourness balanced by moderate sweetness, creaminess, and alcohol strength. Subtle bitterness and spice from the absinthe add complexity, while fruitiness and carbonation provide a refreshing lift.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The core of this drink is Scotch whisky, balanced with fresh lemon juice and simple syrup. The signature frothy texture comes from an egg white, while a couple dashes of absinthe provide a complex herbal background.
  • Blended Scotch Whisky60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality blended Scotch is recommended to avoid overpowering the other ingredients.
  • Fresh Lemon Juice22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for the best flavor and acidity.
  • Simple Syrup22.5 ml / 0.75 oz
    1:1 ratio of sugar to water. Adjust to taste.
  • Egg White1 large
    Use pasteurized egg whites for safety if desired. This is crucial for the texture.
  • Absinthe2 dashes
    Just a small amount is needed to add an herbal, anise note. A rinse of the glass can also be used.
  • Soda Water30-60 ml / 1-2 oz, to top
    Must be well-chilled to maintain the drink's temperature and foam.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail shaker set, including a Hawthorne strainer and a fine mesh strainer for double-straining. A jigger is essential for the precise measurements required to balance this classic cocktail.
  • Cocktail shaker for mixing and chilling.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients accurately.
  • Hawthorne strainer to hold back ice after shaking.
  • Fine mesh strainer to ensure a smooth, silky texture.

Instructions

The key to this drink is the two-step shaking process: a dry shake without ice to build foam, followed by a wet shake with ice to chill and dilute. After double-straining into a chilled glass, gently top with soda water and garnish.
1. Chill a Collins or fizz glass by filling it with ice and water, or by placing it in the freezer.
2. Combine the Scotch whisky, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, egg white, and absinthe in a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a 'dry shake': seal the shaker without ice and shake vigorously for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.
4. Open the shaker, fill it with cubed ice, seal it again, and perform a 'wet shake' by shaking hard for another 15-20 seconds until the outside of the shaker is frosty.
5. Empty the chilling ice from your glass. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass to remove ice shards and any un-emulsified egg white.
6. Gently top the drink with 1 to 2 ounces of chilled soda water. Pour it down the side of the glass or into the center to help lift the foam head.
7. Take a lemon peel, express its oils over the surface of the foam for aroma, and then place the peel on the rim as a garnish.

Garnishing

A simple lemon peel garnish is perfect for this cocktail. Expressing the oils from the peel over the top of the foam adds a bright, aromatic citrus note that complements the drink's flavor profile.
  • Lemon Peel: Express the oils over the drink's surface and drop it in or place it on the rim.

Dietary Information

This cocktail contains egg white, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with egg allergies. It is otherwise dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, though individuals with celiac disease should verify their Scotch whisky is safe.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This cocktail's calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar content primarily comes from the simple syrup and alcohol. The nutritional values are moderate for a classic cocktail of this style.
Calories
Averagely 260-300 kcal / 1088-1255 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 18-22 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 17-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This cocktail is famously suited for brunch, serving as a more complex alternative to a Mimosa. It also works wonderfully as an aperitif before a meal or as a celebratory drink for any special occasion that calls for something bubbly and unique.
  • Brunch
  • Aperitif
  • Celebration
  • Weekend Sipping

Pairing suggestions

Given its classic status as a brunch drink, the Morning Glory Fizz pairs excellently with savory and rich breakfast foods like Eggs Benedict or smoked salmon. Its bright acidity also cuts through the richness of fried foods and complements the briny flavor of fresh oysters, making it a versatile food companion.
  • Oysters
  • Smoked Salmon Blinis
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Salty Pastries

Morning Glory Fizz: A Classic and Frothy Scotch Reviver

The Morning Glory Fizz is a historic and sophisticated cocktail that offers a unique drinking experience. It masterfully combines the smoky, malty notes of Scotch with bright citrus and a mysterious herbal hint of absinthe. The egg white is essential, creating a velvety texture and a beautiful frothy cap that makes each sip a delight. Perfect as a brunch-time reviver or an elegant evening aperitif, it's a testament to the complexity and artistry of classic bartending.

Similar cocktails

Ramos Gin Fizz

A more complex fizz using gin, both lemon and lime juice, heavy cream, and orange flower water for a famously fluffy texture.

Golden Fizz

Uses gin and only the egg yolk, creating a rich texture without the frothy head of a Silver Fizz.

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