New Orleans Fizz

The New Orleans Fizz is a famously laborious but incredibly rewarding cocktail. It combines gin, fresh citrus juices, cream, sugar, an egg white, and a few drops of orange flower water. These ingredients are shaken vigorously for an extended period, creating a unique, velvety texture and a thick, frothy head that magically rises above the rim of the glass. The floral notes of the orange flower water and the luxurious, creamy mouthfeel make it a truly unforgettable drinking experience.
New Orleans Fizz

Preparation

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The New Orleans Fizz is unequivocally classified as a classic cocktail. It belongs to the "Fizz" family of drinks, characterized by the inclusion of citrus, a spirit, and carbonated water. Its historical significance and unique preparation method cement its status as an iconic classic in the world of mixology.

Serving

Serve this tall, cold cocktail in a chilled Collins glass to showcase its impressive foam head. Despite its size, it has a moderate alcohol content, making it more of a sipper than a potent drink.
Serving size
Approximately 240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Collins
Glass treatment
Chilled

Backstory

This iconic drink was created in 1888 by Henry C. Ramos at his Imperial Cabinet Saloon in New Orleans. The cocktail's popularity exploded, and legend has it that during the 1915 Mardi Gras festival, Ramos had to employ a long line of "shaker boys" who would pass the shaker down the line to keep up with demand. The exact recipe was a closely guarded secret, only shared with the public just before Prohibition forced the closure of his famous bar.
Origin
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, created in 1888 by Henry C. Ramos.

New Orleans Fizz

This cocktail is most famously known today as the Ramos Gin Fizz, named after its creator, Henry C. Ramos. Its original name, the New Orleans Fizz, proudly proclaims its city of origin. Both names are used interchangeably by cocktail enthusiasts to refer to this legendary drink.
Original name
New Orleans Fizz
Alternative names
  • Ramos Gin Fizz
  • Ramos Fizz

Characteristics overview

This cocktail is a feast for the senses, with a primary flavor profile of sweet citrus balanced by a rich creaminess and enchanting floral aromas. Its texture is its defining feature: a smooth, velvety liquid topped with a dense, airy foam.
Flavor
Citrusy, creamy, floral, sweet, tart, vanilla-like
Aroma
Orange blossom, lemon, lime, juniper
Taste balance
Sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, creamy, lingering floral notes
Fizziness
Lightly fizzy, effervescent
Color appearance
Milky white, opaque, thick foamy head
Texture
Creamy, frothy, velvety, smooth, rich, airy
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, celebratory

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is dominated by a bright sourness from the citrus and a profound creaminess, with a noticeable sweetness and fruity character. The alcohol presence is mild, and the carbonation is gentle, providing a light lift to the rich texture.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

The recipe requires gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, and an egg white. The two secret weapons for its unique character are a few dashes of orange flower water and a top of soda water.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    An Old Tom Gin can be used for a slightly sweeter, more traditional flavor.
  • Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Must be freshly squeezed for best results.
  • Simple Syrup30 ml / 1 oz
    Use a 1:1 sugar-to-water ratio.
  • Heavy Cream30 ml / 1 oz
    Essential for the creamy texture.
  • Egg White1 large egg white
    Key for creating the signature thick foam.
  • Orange Flower Water3 dashes
    A crucial aromatic component; do not omit. Be careful not to add too much.
  • Soda Water30-60 ml / 1-2 oz
    Chilled, to top the drink.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

You will need a standard cocktail set including a shaker, jigger, and strainer. A good quality shaker that can be held comfortably for a long time is highly recommended for this drink.
  • Cocktail shaker for combining and chilling ingredients.
  • Jigger for measuring ingredients.
  • Strainer for pouring the cocktail into the glass.

Instructions

The method involves a two-stage shaking process: a 'dry shake' to build foam, followed by a very long 'wet shake' to chill and aerate. Finally, the drink is strained and slowly topped with soda water to raise its signature foamy head.
1. Chill a Collins glass by filling it with ice and water.
2. Combine gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, egg white, and orange flower water in a cocktail shaker without ice.
3. Perform a 'dry shake' (shaking without ice) vigorously for about 1 minute to emulsify the ingredients.
4. Add a few large ice cubes to the shaker and perform a 'wet shake'. Shake as hard and as long as you possibly can, for at least 2 minutes, but traditionally up to 12 minutes. The shaker should be intensely cold.
5. Discard the ice from your chilled Collins glass.
6. Strain the contents of the shaker into the chilled glass. The liquid should only fill it about two-thirds of the way.
7. Let the drink rest for a minute or two to allow the foam to set and rise.
8. Very slowly, pour a small amount of chilled soda water into the center of the drink to lift the foam head above the rim of the glass. Some bartenders pour the soda down a bar spoon to avoid disturbing the foam.
9. Serve immediately with a straw.

Garnishing

This cocktail is traditionally served without a garnish. Its impressive, stable, and aromatic foam head is the only decoration needed.
  • None, traditionally. The foam is the star.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is vegetarian but not vegan due to the use of heavy cream and egg white. It is also not suitable for those with dairy or egg allergies, but is otherwise free from common allergens like gluten, nuts, and soy.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✕ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a moderately caloric cocktail, primarily due to the sugar in the simple syrup and the fat from the heavy cream. The carbohydrate and sugar content are significant but contribute to the drink's balanced flavor profile.
Calories
Averagely 280 kcal / 1172 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 18 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 18 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is perfect as a show-stopping centerpiece for a special brunch or an elegant cocktail party. Its refreshing qualities also make it a delightful choice for warm summer afternoons. Making one is an occasion in itself.
  • Brunch
  • Special celebrations
  • Cocktail party
  • Summer sipping

Pairing suggestions

The New Orleans Fizz is a classic brunch cocktail, pairing wonderfully with dishes like Eggs Benedict. Its citrusy brightness cuts through rich foods, making it a great companion for fresh oysters or even spicy Cajun dishes, offering a creamy and cooling contrast.
  • Oysters on the half shell
  • Eggs Benedict
  • Light pastries or beignets
  • Spicy Cajun cuisine

The Legendary New Orleans Fizz

The New Orleans Fizz, more commonly known as the Ramos Gin Fizz, is a masterpiece of mixology that rewards considerable effort with an unparalleled drinking experience. Its creamy, velvety texture, bright citrus flavors, and ethereal floral aroma make it a standout classic. While its preparation is a true test of a bartender's endurance, the resulting cloud-like cocktail with its iconic rising foam is a spectacle to behold and a delight to drink. It's more than just a cocktail; it's a piece of New Orleans history in a glass.

Similar cocktails

Golden Fizz

Similar to a Silver Fizz, but it uses an egg yolk instead of an egg white, resulting in a richer, more custardy texture.

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