Ah, the Ramos Gin Fizz—the cocktail that laughs in the face of “simple” drinks. If you’re looking for something that’s fizzy, frothy, and fancy, this New Orleans classic is your new best friend. It’s a boozy milkshake with a gin heart, a touch of citrus sass, and a foam top that rivals a cappuccino from that hip café with the $10 oat milk lattes.
And yes, it comes with a story. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the origins of this legendary cocktail before we shake our arms off.
The Wild Origin of the Ramos Gin Fizz: New Orleans Chaos in a Glass
Let’s go back to 1888 in New Orleans, where Henry C. Ramos—bartender extraordinaire—decided that regular gin fizzes weren’t quite dramatic enough. Henry had a vision: create a drink that could singlehandedly clog the streets with cocktail enthusiasts.
His creation, originally called the New Orleans Fizz, was so popular that Ramos allegedly had a line of bartenders, each tasked with shaking the drink for a solid 12 minutes. Yes, TWELVE. Back then, there were no Fitbits to track how many calories they burned shaking foam into oblivion. These bartenders probably had forearms like Popeye.
By the time Prohibition hit, the Ramos Gin Fizz was such a beloved cocktail that then-Louisiana Governor Huey Long reportedly flew in a bartender just to whip one up. That’s how serious people were about their froth game.
What’s in a Ramos Gin Fizz?
Let’s break down this cocktail with the precision of a bartender on a caffeine high.
Here’s what makes the Ramos Gin Fizz the foamy, citrusy masterpiece that it is:
Gin: A good London Dry gin or Old Tom gin is perfect for this cocktail.
Citrus: Fresh lemon and lime juice, because bottled juice is for people who don’t know better.
Cream: Because if you’re going to have dessert, you may as well drink it.
Egg white: This is where the magic foam happens, folks.
Orange flower water: A floral touch that gives the drink its signature aroma.
Simple syrup: For that perfect balance of sweetness.
Soda water: The fizz in your fizz!
Ramos Gin Fizz Recipe (The Ultimate Guide to Frothy Success)
Ingredients:
60ml (2 oz) gin
15ml (½ oz) fresh lemon juice
15ml (½ oz) fresh lime juice
30ml (1 oz) heavy cream
15ml (½ oz) simple syrup
1 egg white
3 drops orange flower water
Soda water (to top)
Instructions:
Top Tip Before You Begin: Measure out all your ingredients ahead of time. Trust me—once you start shaking, you don’t want to stop mid-froth to grab your citrus.
Keep Your Cool: Add your gin, citrus, simple syrup, orange flower water, and egg white to one half of the shaker. Pour the cream into the other half. Why the separation? Because if citrus sits with the cream too long, it might curdle—and you don’t want a Ramos Gin Curdle. (New Orleans is wild, but not that wild.)
Dry Shake: Combine everything in the shaker (minus the soda water) and shake it without ice. This helps the egg white and cream get maximum frothiness.
Add Ice & Shake Again: Now, throw in ice cubes and shake like you’re auditioning for the role of Cocktail Terminator.
Strain & Serve: Strain into a chilled glass, leaving room for soda water. Top with soda and watch the foam rise like a champagne tower at a fancy wedding.
Admire Your Creation: Marvel at the cloud-like froth before you take that first sip. And yes, feel free to flex your newly jacked forearms.
Shake Smarter, Not Longer: The Secret to Ramos Fizz Success
Historically, people believed you had to shake a Ramos Gin Fizz for 12 minutes. Fortunately, bartending science has come a long way (shoutout to modern arm muscles). A solid 2-3 minutes with both a dry and wet shake should do the trick, especially if you’re using a good shaker.
Bonus tip: If you’re making this for a party, prep the citrus and cream ahead of time so you’re not stuck measuring mid-shake while your guests impatiently eye the gin.
Want to See a Ramos Gin Fizz Come to Life?
Ready to watch me take on this frothy beast in my bar? Check out the full video below, where I’ll walk you through every step of making the perfect Ramos Gin Fizz. Spoiler: There will be foam. Lots of foam.
Now go forth and conquer the Ramos Gin Fizz, one shake at a time. Whether you’re making it for friends, date night, or just as a well-deserved treat for yourself, this cocktail is bound to be a hit. Just remember: citrus and dairy are friends only when you say so.
Cheers! 🍸
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