When the weather is warm, there’s nothing quite as refreshing as a Fizz cocktail. Sweet, sour and simple, it’s an ideal addition to every aspiring cocktail aficionado’s repertoire. Better yet you’ll find that the basics of the Fizz can be applied to wide range of spirits to give your home bar maximum flexibility. In this post I’m going to give you all the Fizz fundamentals you’ll need to discover a new summertime cocktail favorite.
What is a Fizz Cocktail?
A Fizz cocktail is a variation on a classic sour and it can be best described as a cocktail style. In short it contains a featured spirit, an acidic juice and carbonated water. Perhaps the best part of a Fizz is that one can be made with *almost* any spirit available.
History of the Fizz
Perhaps one of my favorite Fizz stories comes from the 1915 Mardi Gras. Bar owner Harry C. Ramos (namesake of the Ramos Gin Fizz) employed an army of 35 Shaker Boys to help keep up with the demand. Apparently the cocktail’s original recipe called for 12-15 minutes of shaking to be properly prepared.
Basics of the Fizz Cocktail
I’ve poured over hundreds of Fizz recipes in order to find a few basic rules that you can apply to your Fizz cocktails.
Proportions
Generally you should be able to apply these proportions with a couple tweaks to suit your personal taste:
- 2 Parts Liquor
- 1 Part Simple Syrup
- 1 Part Citrus Juice
- 1 Part Club Soda
Preparation
There’s little variation when making a Fizz cocktail. Basically the ingredients are blended in a cocktail shaker and then poured into a glass containing club soda, but it will help to know a few key tips:
- A Thorough Shake Mandatory
- This Drink is Served Up (No Ice)
- Chill the Glassware
- Chill the Cocktail Shaker
- No Garnish
Fizz Recipes to Get You Started
Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 1 oz Club Soda (Cold)
- 2 oz Plymouth Gin
- 1 oz Lemon Juice (Fresh)
- .75 oz Simple Syrup
- 1 Egg White

Preparation
- Add the Club Soda to an 8 oz Collins or Highball Glass
- Combine the Gin, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup & Egg White in a Cocktail Shaker
- Dry Shake (Without Ice) For 10 Seconds
- Add 3-4 Cubes of Ice to the Cocktail Shaker; Shake Well
- Double-Strain the Cocktail Into the Prepared Glass
Sloe Gin Fizz
Ingredients
- 1 oz Club Soda (Cold)
- 2 oz Plymouth Sloe Gin
- 1/2 oz Lemon Juice (Fresh)
- 1/2 oz Simple Syrup

Preparation
- Combine the Sloe Gin, Lemon Juice and Simple Syrup in a Cocktail Shaker
- Dry Shake (Without Ice) For 10 Seconds
- Add 3-4 Cubes of Ice to the Cocktail Shaker; Shake Well
- Transfer the Cocktail to an 8 oz Collins or Highball Glass
- Top With Club Soda
Margarita Fizz
Ingredients
- 1 oz Club Soda (Cold)
- 2 oz Tequila
- 1/2 oz Lime Juice (Fresh)
- 1/2 oz Cointreau / Triple Sec
- 1/2 oz. Simple Syrup

Preparation
- Combine the Tequila, Lime Juice and Cointreau / Triple Sec in a Cocktail Shaker
- Dry Shake (Without Ice) For 10 Seconds
- Add 3-4 Cubes of Ice to the Cocktail Shaker; Shake Well
- Transfer the Cocktail to an 8 oz Collins or Highball Glass
- Top With Club Soda
Conclusion
Warm weather demands a light, refreshing summertime cocktail and the Fizz cocktail fits the bill. Not only is it delicious, but the Fizz can be adapted in an almost unlimited number of ways. Better yet it’s a great drink on which beginning bartenders can experiment without buying a bunch of esoteric liquors.
So let your freak flag fly and raise a glass to the Fizz cocktail!