The Ramos Gin Fizz
A frothy cocktail made famous by Louisiana Governor Huey Long
While this frothy cocktail is inarguably delicious, many recipes call for 15 minutes of vigorous shaking by hand. It takes a lot of time – and muscle – to make this ethereal drink, but many have thought it worth it – notably larger-than-life Louisiana Governor Huey Long.
Legend has it that Huey brought his New Orleans bartender with him on a business trip to New York because he couldn’t do without his Ramos as perfected by his favorite bartender. He called it “his gift to New York.” Some even say he was keen on building Airline Highway from Baton Rouge to New Orleans so he could enjoy a Gin Fizz at the Sazerac Bar 40 minutes faster.
Henry C. Ramos knew he was onto something when he first concocted the cocktail in New Orleans at his bar in the Meyer’s Table D’Hotel Internationale back in 1888. One Carnival season, after he’d moved to the Imperial Cabinet Saloon, he was forced to employ dozens of “shaker boys” just to meet the demand for this festive libation. After Prohibition, Ramos sold the rights to this drink to the Roosevelt Hotel where you can still enjoy it today. Other places also boast their versions.
You can also master the making of this tricky but tasty cocktail yourself with the recipe below.
Ramos Gin Fizz Recipe
- 3 dashes lemon juice
- 2 dashes lime juice
- 3 dashes orange flower water
- 1 1/4 oz. dry gin
- 1/4 of the white of one egg
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 3 oz. milk
Add the contents to a cocktail shaker with plenty of ice. Shake very well until good and frothy, strain into a cocktail tumbler.
Shake all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice and strain into a hurricane glass filled with ice. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.
