By Patti Werry – When I was a little girl, there was no form of torture worse than the Christmas morning wait to open presents. The cause of the delay was my parents’ tradition of starting the holiday with a Gin Fizz cocktail. I waited anxiously until I heard the whir of the blender, knowing that soon my mother would emerge with two tall glasses filled with her recipe for Gin Fizz. The creamy white mixture for herself and my dad was a holiday treat for them, while I enjoyed a glass of eggnog.
Once I got older and was able to enjoy the holiday tradition with them, I didn’t mind the wait. The flavor combination of tangy citrus and cream is whipped up into a frothy, icy blend in this recipe for Gin Fizz. It was indeed a great way to kick off a day of celebrating. Apparently my parents were day drinking pioneers.
When researching the origin of the Gin Fizz, I discovered that my mother’s take on the classic cocktail was a little unorthodox. She was using a blender instead of a shaker. If you’re familiar with the traditional recipe for Gin Fizz, this one will look different, come together much faster, and taste even better.
The ingredients to make Gin Fizzes for the holidays.Recipe for Gin Fizz
Makes two 8-ounce cocktails
Ingredients
- 4 ounces gin
- 2 egg whites*
- 1/8 – 1/4 cup powdered sugar (adjust to taste)**
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Juice of 1 lime
- 4 shakes orange flower water
- 1 cup half and half
- Dash of nutmeg for garnish
Topped with a dash of nutmeg, these Gin Fizzes are ready for holiday brunch.Instructions
- Fill two 8-ounce cocktail glasses with crushed ice.
- Put ice in blender.
- Add all ingredients (except nutmeg) to blender.
- Blend on highest setting until ingredients are combined and egg whites are frothy.
- Pour into glasses.
- Top with nutmeg.
*Raw egg warning: Consuming raw or lightly cooked eggs poses a risk of food-borne illness.
**The tartness of this recipe for Gin Fizz depends on the citrus juice. Start with 1/8 cup powdered sugar. After blending, add more if the drink is too tart.
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A Christmas toast of Gin Fizzes in front of the Christmas tree.Morning Margaritas
If you prefer a little tequila kick instead of this recipe for Gin Fizz, try this Handcrafted Margarita Recipe from Patti’s husband Scott.
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