Classic Gin Fizz Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 03/6/23
Tested by
Tom Macy
Photo of Tom Macy
Tested by Tom Macy
Tom wears many cocktail hats. He is a professional bartender, bar owner, recipe creator, and drink writer, though he prefers the title "obsessive cocktail nerd."
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Gin Fizz Cocktail

The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
174 Calories
0g Fat
12g Carbs
0g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 174
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 9mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 12g 4%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 11g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 17mg 83%
Calcium 29mg 2%
Iron 0mg 1%
Potassium 36mg 1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

The gin fizz is a classic mixed drink that is much like a whiskey fizz. The main difference is in the base spirit. There are a number of other "fizz" cocktails to enjoy; all are very refreshing, easy to mix up, and can take on a different personality depending on the customizations you make.

Nearly identical to the popular Tom Collins, the gin fizz has a very light, sour citrus flavor that allows the gin to shine against the soda's sparkle. The two gin highballs share every ingredient, though the Collins uses a little more lemon juice, and lime is a popular option in the fizz.

The egg white is also a key difference. An authentic gin fizz (sometimes called a silver fizz) should include it, but many drinkers today choose to leave it out. Using the egg white does make a big impact in the fizz, providing a luscious mouthfeel and frothy top that makes an enjoyable drink.

0:52

Click Play to See This Gin Fizz Cocktail Recipe Come Together

"The gin fizz is a close cousin to the Tom Collins. Traditionally, a fizz didn't have ice and came in a smaller glass. The key addition of an egg white to a gin fizz creates a distinction. I highly recommend the egg white; it gives the cocktail a light ethereal quality. Just shake very hard!" —Tom Macy

Classic Gin Fizz Cocktail Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 2 ounces gin

  • 3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon or lime juice

  • 3/4 ounce simple syrup, 1:1 ratio

  • 1 small or medium egg white, optional

  • 2 ounces soda water, or to taste

  • Lemon peel, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make a gin fizz cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  2. Pour the gin, lemon or lime juice, simple syrup, and egg white into a cocktail shaker. Shake vigorously without ice (dry shake) about 15 seconds ensure a frothy egg white.

    A hand pouring gin into a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  3. Add a few ice cubes to the shaker and shake until chilled.

    A pair of tongs adding ice to a cocktail shaker

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  4. Strain into a chilled highball glass over fresh ice cubes.

    A cocktail shaker being poured into a tall glass with ice

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

  5. Top with soda and garnish with a lemon or lime zest. Serve and enjoy.

    A hand pouring soda into a gin fizz cocktail

    The Spruce Eats / Madhumita Sathishkumar

Raw Egg Warning

Consuming raw and lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of foodborne illness.

Tips

  • The gin fizz is an excellent mixed drink when exploring gin brands and will be slightly different with each one you pour. It doesn't have to be top-shelf or any particular style; genever is a classic choice.
  • The choice between lemon and lime juice is a personal one. Try lemon with sweeter gins or those with a lighter juniper profile. Lime is a good choice with drier, juniper-forward options like a classic London dry gin.
  • If you include the egg, do the "sink or float test" to ensure it's fresh. When placed in a glass of water, fresh eggs will sink to the bottom.

Recipe Variations

There are many variations on the gin fizz, and it's often as simple as changing a single ingredient.

  • Replace the simple syrup with 1 to 2 teaspoons of superfine sugar and shake well.
  • A fresh sour mix can replace the citrus juice and simple syrup. Pour about 1 ounce, then adjust to taste on the next round.
  • The royal fizz uses an entire egg rather than the white alone. This will give your drink a foamy top as well as a slightly eggier flavor.
  • For a golden fizz, switch from an egg white to an egg yolk. You'll lose the foam but have a drink with a little more egg flavor.
  • To make a diamond fizz, use sparkling wine instead of soda in the original gin fizz recipe.
  • If you add a dash of green crème de menthe to the gin fizz, you'll have a green fizz.
  • Skip the soda and you have a gin sour.

How Strong Is a Gin Fizz?

Like most tall mixed drinks, the gin fizz is a relatively light cocktail. When made with an 80-proof gin, its alcohol content should be in the 13 percent ABV (26 proof) range, making it the equivalent of drinking a glass of wine.

What Is the Difference Between a Gin Fizz and a Tom Collins?

The gin fizz and the Tom Collins contain the same basic ingredients: gin, lemon juice, simple syrup or granulated sugar, and soda water. The gin fizz is shaken for a fizzy drink and sometimes includes an egg white for more froth. The Tom Collins is stirred and tends to be a taller drink.