Chicago FizzCocktail recipe
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Chicago Fizz sits in the classic “fizz” family: a bright, citrusy sour lengthened with soda and softened with egg white for a creamy finish. While the exact origin story isn’t firmly pinned down in the way some famous sours are, you’ll recognise its shape as part of the late-19th/early-20th-century wave of fizzes that made light, sparkling drinks a bar staple. Here, white rum takes the lead, giving the style a clean, gently sweet backbone.
On the palate, you’ll find lemon juice bringing crisp, direct tartness, with sugar or simple syrup smoothing the edges into a balanced sweet-sour core. White rum adds a mild, rounded warmth without crowding the citrus. Egg white contributes a silky, foamy texture that makes the drink feel fuller and softer, while soda water lifts everything with a refreshing sparkle and a lighter finish.
Serve it when you want something refreshing but not sharp—brunch, early evening, or warm-weather sipping all suit it. If you like sours yet prefer a smoother, creamier mouthfeel, this one hits the mark, especially in a highball where the bubbles keep it bright and easy to drink.
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Highball glass
Ingredients
Cocktail Colin says:
White rum and lemon juice lead with a crisp, lightly sweet-tart snap, while sugar/simple syrup rounds the edges and egg white turns the whole drink into a silky, airy foam that carries the citrus; soda water lifts everything into a bright, brisk highball. The egg white’s creamy texture softens the lemon’s bite as soda water keeps the rum from feeling heavy, making it ideal for anyone who likes clean, frothy sours with a refreshing finish.
Method
How to make a Chicago Fizz
- White rum 30ml, Lemon juice 15ml, Soda water 30ml, Sugar / simple syrup 7.5ml, Egg 1 egg white
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- Add all the ingredients except the soda water to a cocktail shaker with ice
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- Shake well until the outside of the shaker becomes frosted
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- Strain out and dry shake the cocktail again, this time without ice, to froth up the egg white
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- Strain into a highball glass with a couple of ice cubes
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- Top up with carbonated soda water
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- Garnish with a lemon slice and serve
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Find out more- Before adding the egg white to the shaker, make sure it is at room temperature; this will result in a smoother and more stable foam when shaken, enhancing the cocktail’s frothy texture.
- When performing the dry shake, ensure to do so vigorously for a fuller froth. You can add a single whisk spring or a piece of the shaker strainer to the shaker to act as an agitator and increase foam volume.
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FAQ's
What is the history behind the Chicago Fizz?
The Chicago Fizz is a vintage cocktail that dates back to the early 20th century. It gained popularity in the Chicago area and was known for its unique combination of rum and port, offering a smooth, rich flavor. The cocktail fell out of favor for some time but has seen a resurgence with the recent interest in classic cocktails.
How does the egg white affect the Chicago Fizz cocktail?
The egg white in the Chicago Fizz adds a silky texture and a rich frothiness to the cocktail. When shaken, the egg white emulsifies, creating a smooth, creamy layer on top of the drink that enhances its mouthfeel and adds a visual appeal. It's an essential component for achieving the classic frothy top characteristic of this and many other classic cocktails.
Can I make a Chicago Fizz without alcohol?
Yes, you can create a non-alcoholic version of the Chicago Fizz. Replace the white rum with a non-alcoholic rum alternative or use a combination of non-alcoholic ingredients that mimic the flavor profile of rum. Adjust the amount of sugar syrup and lemon juice to balance sweetness and acidity to your taste. The soda water, egg white, and ice will remain the same to achieve the frothy texture and carbonation.
What's the best way to achieve a perfectly frothy top for a Chicago Fizz?
To achieve a perfectly frothy top on a Chicago Fizz, ensure your egg white is fresh and at room temperature. Start by shaking the ingredients without ice vigorously for about 15 seconds (a technique known as 'dry shaking') to let the egg white emulsify well with the other components. Then, add ice and shake again vigorously for another 15-20 seconds. This two-step shaking process helps create a stable, frothy layer on top of the cocktail.
Is there a specific type of white rum recommended for a Chicago Fizz?
For a Chicago Fizz, it's best to use a high-quality white rum that's smooth with a light body, as this will blend well with the other ingredients and not overpower the delicate balance of flavors. Look for white rums that have been aged and then filtered to remove the color, as these tend to have a more refined flavor suitable for cocktails like the Chicago Fizz.
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