Ginger Fizz
An ice-cold, fresh drink with sharp citrus, sweet ginger warmth and a sparkling lift of soda water.
Ingredients
- Vodka50 ml
- Lemon juice, freshly squeezed25 ml
- Ginger syrup15 ml
- Soda water, coldtop up
- Lemon, to garnish (optional)1 wheel
- Mint, to garnish, lightly slapped for aroma (optional)1 sprig
Method
- Fill a shaker with ice cubes and add the vodka, lemon juice and ginger syrup.
- Shake hard for 10–15 seconds, until the shaker is frosty on the outside.
- Strain into a highball glass filled with fresh ice cubes.
- Top up with cold soda water and stir briefly with a bar spoon to bring the drink together.
- Garnish with a lemon wheel and, if you like, a lightly slapped sprig of mint for extra fragrance.
About this drink
The fizz family has its roots in nineteenth-century America, where spirit, citrus and sugar were shaken with ice and topped with bubbles to make a light, refreshing drink for hot days. The Ginger Fizz is a modern variation on the same principle, letting ginger syrup give a spicy counterpoint to the lemon's acidity. The result is simple to make and full of contrasts between sweet, tart and fiery ginger.
Questions and answers
Can you replace the ginger syrup in a Ginger Fizz?
A homemade version of pressed ginger and sugar works well, or use ginger beer instead of soda water as a shortcut with built-in ginger flavour. Then turn down the rest of the sweetness.
Why is the soda water added last?
It keeps the carbonation and gives the light, sparkling finish the drink is named for. Add it too early or stir too hard, and the fizz disappears.
