What Kind of Drink Is a Fizz?

December 5, 2025 •

4 min read

The Ramos Gin Fizz, a classic New Orleans variation, famously required over 12 minutes of shaking by hand to achieve its signature frothy texture. But more simply, what kind of drink is a fizz? At its core, a fizz is a cocktail that combines a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sparkling liquid, resulting in a light, refreshing, and effervescent beverage.

Quick Summary

A fizz is a sparkling cocktail made with a spirit, citrus, sweetener, and carbonated water, originating from the older 'sour' family of drinks. Essential components include a base liquor, fresh fruit juice, and a bubbly topping, creating a bright and refreshing beverage.

Key Points

A Fizz is a Sour with Bubbles: At its core, a fizz cocktail is an effervescent version of the classic 'sour' formula, adding carbonated water for sparkle.
Key Ingredients Define the Fizz: A base spirit (often gin), citrus juice, a sweetener, and club soda or sparkling wine are the essential components.
Historical Cocktail Origin: The fizz gained popularity in the late 19th century, with the Gin Fizz first appearing in Jerry Thomas's Bartender's Guide in 1876.
The Ramos Fizz is Legendary: New Orleans is home to the famous Ramos Gin Fizz, which includes cream and egg white for a thick, meringue-like foam.
Fizz vs. Collins: A fizz is typically shaken and strained, while a Collins is built and stirred in the glass, with differences also in serving glass size and ice.
Versatile for Variations: The basic fizz formula can be adapted with different spirits, fruits, and sparkling elements to create numerous unique cocktails.
Non-Alcoholic Options Exist: Delicious non-alcoholic fizzes can be made using fruit juices and sparkling water, offering a refreshing alternative.

The Core Components of a Fizz

At its heart, a fizz cocktail is a member of the 'sour' family, extended with the addition of carbonated water. This simple element of fizz transforms a standard sour into a taller, more refreshing drink perfect for warm weather or brunch. The basic formula is a harmonious balance of four key elements:

Base Spirit: This is the foundation of the drink, with gin being the traditional choice for the classic Gin Fizz. However, other liquors like whiskey, rum, and even vodka are used in various fizz recipes.
Citrus Juice: Freshly squeezed citrus, most commonly lemon, provides the necessary acidity to balance the sweetness. The bright, tart flavor is a defining characteristic of a fizz.
Sweetener: Simple syrup is typically used to introduce sweetness and ensure easy dissolution into the drink. This ingredient counteracts the tartness of the citrus.
Carbonated Water: This is the namesake component that gives the drink its effervescence. Club soda is the most common choice, but some variations use sparkling wine or other bubbly liquids.

A Brief History of the Effervescent Cocktail

While the exact origin is debated, the fizz cocktail gained popularity in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The first known recipe for a Gin Fizz appeared in the 1876 edition of Jerry Thomas's Bartender's Guide. Its appeal soared, particularly in New Orleans, where bar owner Henry C. Ramos invented the now-legendary Ramos Gin Fizz in 1888. This variation became so famous that his bar needed an 'army of shakers' to keep up with demand. The fizz family expanded with various additions, such as egg whites for froth and different liqueurs for flavor, cementing its place in cocktail history.

Common Variations of the Fizz

The basic fizz recipe is an excellent canvas for creative bartenders and home enthusiasts. These variations showcase the versatility of the core formula:

Gin Fizz: The quintessential example, featuring gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda.
Ramos Gin Fizz: A New Orleans classic, it includes gin, lemon and lime juice, sugar, cream, egg white, orange flower water, and soda water, creating a rich, meringue-like foam.
Silver Fizz: A standard gin fizz with the addition of an egg white, which creates a silky texture and a foamy head.
Golden Fizz: A variation that uses an egg yolk instead of the egg white.
Diamond Fizz: A more decadent version that swaps club soda for sparkling wine or Champagne, also known as a French 75.
Sloe Gin Fizz: A fruity twist that uses sloe gin, a liqueur made from sloe berries, often with grapefruit juice and sometimes an egg white.
Chicago Fizz: A rum-based fizz that includes port wine and egg white.

Fizz vs. Collins: A Classic Mixology Question

The distinction between a fizz and a Collins is a topic of discussion among cocktail enthusiasts. While both contain a spirit, citrus, and soda, traditional preparation techniques differentiate them.


Feature	Fizz	Collins
Preparation	Shaken vigorously with ice and strained into the glass, then topped with soda.	Typically 'built' in the glass by stirring ingredients, with ice and soda added last.
Serving Glass	Often served in a smaller, chilled highball or fizz glass, sometimes without fresh ice, as it is already chilled and diluted.	Served in a taller Collins glass over fresh ice to accommodate more soda and ensure a longer, slower chilling process.
Seltzer Volume	Historically used less sparkling water, often added from a siphon to maintain higher carbonation.	Uses a larger volume of sparkling water, served in a taller glass.
Egg White	Common in many variations (e.g., Silver, Ramos), adding texture and froth.	Generally not included in the traditional Collins recipe.

How to Make a Classic Gin Fizz

Creating a classic gin fizz is a straightforward process that yields a delightful result. For a single drink, you will need:

2 oz gin
1 oz fresh lemon juice
¾ oz simple syrup
1 egg white (optional, for a Silver Fizz)
Club soda, to top

Method:

If using an egg white, combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and egg white in a cocktail shaker. 'Dry shake' (without ice) for about 15 seconds to emulsify the egg white and create foam.
Add ice to the shaker and shake again until well-chilled.
Strain the mixture into a Collins glass with fresh ice.
Top with club soda and garnish with a lemon twist or slice.

Conclusion

A fizz is a classic and versatile category of cocktail defined by its effervescence from carbonated water. Whether you prefer the straightforward refreshment of a Gin Fizz, the frothy richness of a Ramos Gin Fizz, or an alcohol-free alternative, there is a fizz for every palate. Understanding its basic components and historical context enriches the experience of enjoying this timeless and bubbly drink. The classic formula—spirit, citrus, sweetener, and bubbles—has stood the test of time, proving its enduring appeal across generations of cocktail enthusiasts.

Visit Difford's Guide for more classic cocktail recipes and history.

Frequently Asked Questions

While both contain a sparkling element, a fizz typically features a base spirit, citrus juice, and a sweetener. A spritzer, on the other hand, is a simpler, wine-based drink, often including a bitter component, and is traditionally built over ice without the citrus focus of a fizz.

Beyond the classic Gin Fizz, popular variations include the Ramos Gin Fizz, Sloe Gin Fizz, and Diamond Fizz (also known as a French 75). Non-gin options like the Chicago Fizz (rum-based) and Whiskey Fizz are also well-known.

No, a fizz does not always contain egg whites. While a classic Gin Fizz can be made without it, the addition of an egg white creates a Silver Fizz with a frothy texture. The Ramos Fizz is a famous exception that requires both egg white and cream for its signature foam.

A fizz is typically served in a smaller, chilled highball or fizz glass, often without fresh ice, as the shaking process provides the necessary chilling and dilution. This contrasts with the taller Collins glass used for a Tom Collins.

Yes, it is very easy to make a delicious non-alcoholic fizz. Recipes often use fruit juice (like cranberry or raspberry), simple syrup, and top with club soda or sparkling water to achieve the signature fizz effect.

The name 'fizz' is derived from the effervescent, bubbling sound created by the carbonated water when it is added to the cocktail. It's a straightforward descriptor for the drink's most defining characteristic.

Traditional garnishes include a lemon twist or slice to complement the citrus flavors. More modern variations might use a mint sprig, fresh berries, or other fruit slices to add color and aroma.

The traditional fizz is shaken and strained, served in a glass with no additional ice. However, modern versions are often served over fresh ice, especially when using a taller glass.