Ramos Gin Fizz
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a legendary New Orleans classic, celebrated for its unique, meringue-like foam head that rises above the rim of the glass. It combines gin with citrus, cream, egg white, and orange flower water, all shaken vigorously to create a velvety, cloud-like texture. The result is a light, fragrant, and refreshingly complex drink that is both a cocktail and a culinary experience. It is considered a true test of a bartender's skill and endurance.
Preparation
Preparation time: 12 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Ramos Gin Fizz is a classic sour-style cocktail belonging to the "fizz" family. Fizzes are characterized by the inclusion of a spirit, citrus, and carbonated water. Its classic status is cemented by its long history and revered place in the cocktail canon.
Serving
Served cold in a chilled Highball or Collins glass, this drink is renowned for its tall, foamy head that rises above the rim. It's a moderately strong cocktail despite its complex preparation.
Serving size
Approximately 180-210 ml / 6-7 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
Chilled
Backstory
Created in 1888 by Henry C. Ramos at his Imperial Cabinet Saloon in New Orleans, the drink's popularity was immense. Legend states that Ramos employed a line of "shaker boys" who would pass the shaker down the line to achieve the required 12-minute shake. Governor Huey P. Long of Louisiana was so fond of it that he brought a bartender to New York to teach the staff at the New Yorker Hotel how to properly make his favorite drink.
Origin
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 1888.
Ramos Gin Fizz
The drink is primarily known as the Ramos Gin Fizz, named after its creator, Henry C. Ramos. It is sometimes shortened to Ramos Fizz or referred to as the New Orleans Fizz, highlighting its city of origin.
Original name
Ramos Gin Fizz
Alternative names
- New Orleans Fizz
- Ramos Fizz
Characteristics overview
The Ramos Gin Fizz has a complex profile with citrus and floral aromas, leading to a creamy, velvety texture and a balanced sweet-and-sour taste. Its most striking feature is its appearance: a milky white liquid crowned with a thick, stable foam.
Flavor
Creamy, citrusy, floral, sweet, gin-forward, velvety
Aroma
Orange blossom, lemon, lime, botanical, clean
Taste balance
Balanced, sweet, sour
Aftertaste
Clean, creamy, floral, short
Fizziness
Lightly effervescent, foamy
Color appearance
Opaque, milky white, tall foamy head
Texture
Frothy, airy, velvety, smooth, creamy, cloud-like
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery, suitable year-round
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor is a delicate balance of moderate sweetness and sourness, with high creaminess and citrus fruitiness. It has a relatively low alcohol strength and light carbonation, making it a very smooth and approachable drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
The recipe requires London Dry Gin, fresh lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, an egg white, and a few dashes of orange flower water. Chilled soda water is used to finish the drink and raise its iconic head.
- London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 ozA classic, botanical-forward gin works best.
- Lemon Juice15 ml / 0.5 ozFreshly squeezed is essential for brightness.
- Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 ozFreshly squeezed is essential for brightness.
- Simple Syrup30 ml / 1 oz1:1 ratio of sugar to water.
- Egg White1 large egg whiteUse a fresh, high-quality egg for the best foam. Pasteurized egg whites can be substituted.
- Heavy Cream30 ml / 1 ozProvides the signature rich texture.
- Orange Flower Water3 dashesA crucial ingredient for the authentic floral aroma; use sparingly as it is potent.
- Soda Water30 ml / 1 oz, to topMust be very cold to help lift the foam.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
A cocktail shaker is essential for the extensive shaking required to achieve the signature foam. A jigger for measuring and a double-straining method complete the necessary equipment.
- Cocktail shaker for vigorously shaking the ingredients
- Jigger or measuring tool for accurate measurements
- Strainer (Hawthorne and fine mesh) for a smooth pour
Instructions
The process involves a two-step shake: a 'dry shake' without ice to emulsify, followed by a long, hard 'wet shake' with ice to chill and aerate. The final touch is a slow pour of soda water to raise the signature foam head above the glass.
1. Chill a Highball or Collins glass by filling it with ice and water, then set aside.
2. Combine gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, heavy cream, egg white, and orange flower water in a cocktail shaker.
3. Perform a 'dry shake' (shaking without ice) vigorously for at least 1 minute to emulsify the ingredients and begin building the foam.
4. Add 3-4 medium-sized ice cubes to the shaker and perform a 'wet shake'. Shake as hard and as long as you can, for at least 2-3 minutes, until the shaker is very frosty.
5. Discard the ice and water from your chilled glass.
6. Double-strain the cocktail into the chilled glass, leaving about an inch (2.5 cm) of space at the top.
7. Let the drink sit for a minute to allow the foam to set and separate from the liquid.
8. Very slowly, pour a small amount of chilled soda water directly into the center of the drink. This will cause the foam head to rise gracefully above the rim of the glass.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy the unique texture.
Garnishing
The Ramos Gin Fizz is traditionally served without a garnish. Its impressive, stable foam head is the star of the show, and no further adornment is necessary.
- None, as the foam head is the main presentation
Dietary Information
This cocktail contains both dairy (cream) and egg, making it unsuitable for vegans or those with related allergies. It is naturally caffeine-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free, assuming a gluten-free gin is used.
✓ 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 fat in the heavy cream. It has a significant carbohydrate and sugar content per serving.
Calories
Approximately 280-320 kcal / 1170-1340 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 25-30 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 24-28 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This elegant cocktail is a perfect centerpiece for a special brunch, where its light and airy texture shines. It's also an excellent choice for a sophisticated cocktail party or any occasion that calls for a unique and impressive drink.
- Brunch
- Cocktail party
- Special occasion
- Summer gathering
Pairing suggestions
The Ramos Gin Fizz pairs beautifully with classic New Orleans brunch fare, such as Eggs Benedict or beignets. Its light and floral character also complements the brininess of oysters and other delicate seafood. For a simpler pairing, salty snacks provide a pleasant contrast to the drink's sweetness.
- Light brunch foods like Eggs Benedict
- Oysters or other light seafood
- Beignets or other New Orleans pastries
- Salty snacks like spiced nuts
The Legendary Ramos Gin Fizz: A Cloud in a Glass
The Ramos Gin Fizz is more than a drink; it's a piece of cocktail history from New Orleans. Its preparation is a labor of love, requiring a lengthy, vigorous shake to create its iconic, thick, meringue-like foam that famously rises above the glass. The taste is a delicate balance of botanicals from the gin, bright citrus, floral notes of orange blossom, and a rich, creamy texture unmatched by other cocktails. It is an elegant, refreshing, and truly unforgettable drinking experience.