There's no doubt the Gin Fizz is one of those staple cocktails found on most cocktail menu's in bars, and drinking venues, around the world.
Gin Fizz Cocktail Origins
The Gin Fizz was originally titled the Ramos Gin Fizz, named after its namesake, Henry. C. Ramos.
Hailing from Indiana, Ramos moved to New Orleans in 1887, at the age of 41.
Ramos soon cemented his reputation as a respected business man and bar owner, first purchasing the Imperial Cabinet Saloon (on the corner of Carondelet and Gravier Streets, New Orleans), going on to own many more drinking establishments including the Stag Saloon, but the Imperial was where the now famous Gin Fizz was launched into history.
The astonishing fact is that, even though the landlord of many a fine saloon, Ramos himself was less of a drinker and more of an inventor. He was a scientist when it came to cocktail making, adding ingredient after ingredient until the perfect mixture became a famous, in demand, customer favorite.
Gin Fizz Twists
The original Gin Fizz recipe is still popular, however multiple variations have made their way to the masses over the past century.
Twists on the classic recipe generally add a flavor such as strawberry, blackberry, lemon and even mango or ginger.
For today's cocktail recipe, we add a Japanese twist to this popular cocktail, using every gin lovers favorite tipple from Japan; Roku Gin.
Roku Gin Origins
Let's have some fun and count to 10 in Japanese:
ichi (1) , ni (2) , san (3) , shi (4) , go (5) , ROKU (6) , shichi (7), hachi (8),
kyuu (9), juu (10)
That's right, Roku translates to the number 6 in Japanese; and Roku Gin is so named because of the "six very special botanicals that are sourced in Japan and found in Roku Gin."
Distilled at Suntory Liquor Atelier in Osaka, Roku Gin is a smooth gin offering flavors unique to it's botanical ingredients exclusive to Japan, and presenting the palate with a peppered, spicy finish.
Matcha Gin Fizz Featuring Roku Gin
A thank you to Natalie from Feasting on Fruit for the original recipe.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 ounces Roku Gin
- ½ ounce lemon juice
- 1 ounce medjool date syrup (home made)
- ¼ tsp matcha powder
- 3-4 ounces club soda
- Ice
COCKTAIL TOOLS
- Cocktail shaker
- Jigger
- Glass
METHOD
Homemade Medjool Date Syrup Ingredients
- 12oz Medjool Pitted Dates
- 2-3 cups of water
Bring two cups of water and dates to boil in a sauce pan.
Once boiling, turn the heat down and simmer on low for 30 minutes.
When finished, the little liquid remaining should be a thick syrup. If not, don't worry, that will be fixed in further steps.
Remove from heat and let cool.
Once cool, strain the mixture using a nut milk bag. Now, if you find the mixture is too thin, return the liquid to a clean sauce pan and heat on low heat for another 10 - 15 minutes to further thicken. Also, if it becomes too thick, thoroughly mix in a little water.
Store in an airtight container in the fridge, it will last 1-2 weeks.
Try combining the leftover pulp into a date paste to use for baking! Delicious!
Matcha Gin Fizz Recipe
- Add ice, lemon juice, gin, medjool syrup and matcha powder to a cocktail shaker
- Shake well
- Strain into glass, add ice, and top off with club soda
- Garnish with a lemon slide and enjoy!