If you're a fan of a classic souffle or lemon meringue pie, then you already have the patience required to make this unique cocktail. The alcohol equivalent of this citrus and foamy delight has a rich history and a presentation that will bring out the praise when served at your next brunch or afternoon party.
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The History of the Ramos Gin Fizz
Long before Prohibition became the law of the land, New Orleans bartender Henry C. Ramos believed in keeping drinking a civilized activity. He believed drinking alcohol should be enjoyed in moderation. In 1988, Ramos introduced a very civilized cocktail called the Ramos Gin Fizz at his Imperial Cabinet Saloon on Gravier Street in the French Quarter.
This artsy gin cocktail, also known as the New Orleans Fizz, made Ramos one of the founding fathers of mixologists. This frothy cocktail became a popular brunch drink similar to an adult milkshake.
The intriguing term "shaker boy" refers to the bar employees whose sole job was to vigorously shake the Ramos Gin Fizz to get the signature frothy head from the egg white. There are legends of just how long the cocktail shaker was shaken, ranging from three solid minutes to twelve minutes all the way up to fifteen minutes!
Difference Between Gin Fizz and Ramos Gin Fizz Recipe
Three ingredients (and technique) differentiate the Ramos Gin Fizz from a standard gin fizz. The Ramos version includes heavy cream, egg white, and orange flower water in addition to the standard gin, fresh lemon juice, lime juice, sugar, and soda water.
With any iconic cocktail, variations will evolve. Their names are fancy and sound so enticing.
The Silver Fizz is made with gin, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and an egg white. The ingredients get a workout of a shake and then strained into a collins glass. The club soda is the topped to create that beautiful frothy head.
Golden Fizz just adds an egg yolk. Royal Fizz throws caution to the wind and throws in the entire egg, yolk, and egg white. Diamond fizz leaves the egg out but uses sparkling wine instead of club soda. Green fizz also leaves out the egg but adds a dash of green crème de menthe for presentation and a flavorful fizz.
How Long To Shake a Ramos Gin Fizz
So exactly how long a true Ramos Gin Fizz gets shaken is still up for debate. Nowadays, busy bartenders will most likely only shake for about a minute and still end up with the same frothy classic cocktail without needing Tylenol at the end of their shift.
The dry shake method is the best method to keep the drink from being diluted from all that action. To do a dry shake in about a minute, shake the ingredients without ice for about 45 seconds and then add ice and shake for the last 15-20 seconds before straining into the glass.
READ: 11 Of the Best Gins To Mix with Tonic
The Secret To Making New Orleans Ramos Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 3/4 oz simple syrup
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/2 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1/2 oz heavy whipping cream
- 1 egg white
- 3 dashes orange blossom water
- soda water
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except soda water and ice to a cocktail shaker and shake as hard as possible, for at least one minute.
- Add ice and shake until drink is chilled.
- Strain into a tall glass and top with soda water.
