Ramos Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe

Hey, cocktail lovers! Today, Chris shows you how to make the Ramos Gin Fizz, an artful blend of gin, citrus, cream, and fizz that’s as creamy as a cloud and as refreshing as a summer breeze. Perfect for the start of spring!

With its beautiful foam and zesty lemon twist, this classic cocktail has become a staple in the mixology world for a good reason. It’s one of our favorite gin cocktails over here at  A Bar Above, so let’s get to shaking, shall we?

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The History of the Ramos Gin Fizz

This classic cocktail traces its roots back to New Orleans in the late 19th century. The brainchild of Henry C. Ramos– a pioneer bartender and owner of the Imperial Cabinet Saloon– it gained popularity for its silky texture and intriguing combination of ingredients.

Originally, it was crafted as a brunch favorite for the cocktail bar but soon became well known beyond its daytime origins due to its unique flavor and texture.

Originally known as the “New Orleans Fizz,” the cocktail underwent a transformation when Henry Ramos refined the recipe to create his signature drink—the “Ramos Gin Fizz.”

 

 

Deconstructing the Ramos Gin Fizz Ingredients

The magic of this brunch drink lies in its ingredients, each important in achieving that velvety texture and delightful taste. Gin, both lemon and lime juice, simple syrup, cream, egg white, and orange flower water blend together, creating a refreshing and slightly sweet concoction with a frothy finish.

This cocktail is like a flip (see our article about cocktail families for more on the types of cocktails) without egg yolk, yet it adds the carbonation of a fizz cocktail. The result is a very rose-forward drink with orange notes.

Gin: The heart of this cocktail (typically London dry gin) bestows the botanical notes and crispness that form the cocktail’s base.

Citrus Juices: Freshly squeezed lemon and lime juices contribute the zesty, tangy flavors that balance the richness of the other ingredients.

 

 

Simple Syrup: Simple syrup gives the perfect touch of sweetness to balance out the acidic juices.

Egg White: The secret ingredient! This is what adds frothy texture.

Orange Blossom Water: Just a few drops of this aromatic orange-flower water infuse a delightful floral note.

Heavy Cream: Mixed with the egg white, this brings a super rich creaminess to the drink, making it more cloud-like and indulgent than a typical egg white cocktail.

Soda Water: The final touch, topping off the cocktail with sparkling water adds a subtle fizz and balances the creamy texture.

 

 

Crafting the Perfect Ramos Gin Fizz

The key to this classic cocktail recipe lies in the preparation. Shake vigorously! Legend has it that the Ramos fizz was originally shaken for an arm-busting 12 minutes!

And while the shake time is critical to achieve that legendary elevated foam, no busy bartender on shift (or logical human) is going to shake one single cocktail for 10-15 minutes.

Rather, you only have to keep your hands on those shaker tins for about 25-45 seconds, first dry shaking and then shaking again with ice to build that gorgeous egg white foam. The drink evolves during this process, transforming into a luscious, creamy cocktail.

Check out how Chris does it in the video below (and yes, he did shake it for a bit longer than shown):

 

 

How to Master the Art of Shaking (Without Wearing Out Your Arms)

The secret to shaking a Ramos Gin Fizz? Dry shaking! Give the ingredients a good shake without ice to emulsify the egg white in your cocktail shaker (dry shake), and then shake with ice. Your patience will be rewarded with a fluffy, cloud-like froth!

Variations and Personal Touches

While the classic recipe is, well, a classic for a reason, mixologists often add their own twists to the Ramos Gin Fizz. It’s a fun cocktail to play with, especially when adding flavor.

Some might incorporate fruit, switch up the type of gin used, swap out the base spirit entirely, or experiment with different citrus flavors. These variations offer a chance to tailor the cocktail to individual tastes while maintaining the essence of the original.

 

 

• Raspberry Ramos Fizz: Add a few fresh raspberries to the shaker while mixing to add a bright, fruity flavor. Or check out our Pomegranate Gin Fizz recipe!
• Lavender Ramos Fizz: Infuse the syrup with dried lavender flowers before making the cocktail. This variation brings a subtle floral note to the drink and adds a unique aromatic quality.
• Berry Blend Fizz: Combine various berries– like strawberries, blackberries, or blueberries– and muddle them lightly before adding the rest of the ingredients.
• Chocolate Ramos Fizz: Incorporate a chocolate liqueur or cocoa bitters to introduce a chocolate undertone to the cocktail.
• Tropical Twist Fizz: Replace some of the cream with coconut cream or coconut milk, and add a splash of pineapple juice to bring a refreshing tropical vibe to the classic fizz.
• Classic Gin Fizz: The classic Gin Fizz is a refreshing cocktail composed of gin, fresh lemon juice, sugar, and soda water. This original recipe is known for its bright, citrusy profile, offering a delightful balance of tartness and sweetness topped with soda water. It’s a much lighter version without the dairy!
• Get Creative with Foam: Chris once made the traditional Gin Fizz with a celery foam– check out the recipe here, and get inspired to create your own flavored foams.

 

 

Chris & Rob’s Version: The Fire Extinguisher (Extintor de Incendios)

In the video, you’ll see that Chris and our resident bartender, Rob, have their own delicious version to share. I can say with confidence that all three of us preferred this creative recipe more than the original Ramos fizz, as it was smoky & creamy with rich pineapple flavor.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 ounces Bacanora
• 1/2 ounce Ancho Reyes
• 3/4 ounce Agave Syrup
• 1/2 ounce Heavy Cream
• 1 ounce Lime Juice (fresh, of course!)
• 1 dash Jabañero Tincture (homemade: Take the course here.)
• 1 dash Orange Flower Water
• 3 dashes Pineapple Tincture
• 1 Egg White (3/4 ounce)
• 2-3 ounces Club Soda (to top)
• Garnish: Lime Zest

Follow the same directions below, as with the traditional Ramos Fizz, including the reverse dry shake.

 

 

Time to Craft Your Own Ramos Gin Fizz!

Combining botanicals, tangy citrus, and a dash of floral aroma, the Ramos Gin Fizz offers a really creative blend of flavors and textures that other drinks just don’t provide. Give the Ramos Gin Fizz a try, and experience this unique, delightful drink for yourself.

So are you ready to shake things up? (And, you know, shake some more?) Make sure to first watch Chris’ step-by-step video tutorial before taking on this legendary cocktail on your own.  Then make it, sip it, and share your experience with us in the comments below. Cheers!