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Chicago Fizz Drink recipe

Highball glass

Whip up a Chicago Fizz cocktail like a pro with this easy recipe! Shake together light rum, Port, lemon juice, powdered sugar, and a whole egg, then strain and top with fizzy carbonated water. Serve in a tall glass and impress your guests with your bartending skills. Perfect for beginner bartenders, this drink is sure to be a hit at your next party!


Chicago Fizz Ingredients

Chicago Fizz Equipment

  • shaker with strainer - get rid of large pieces of ingredients (ex: fruit parts, seeds)

Chicago Fizz Recipe

Shake all ingredients (except carbonated water) with ice and strain into a highball glass over two ice cubes. Fill with carbonated water, stir, and serve.

Recommend: serve in Highball glass

The highball (or hi-ball) and collins glasses have a lot in common. They can both be used for tall beverages and hold the same amount of liquid, which can range from 8 to 16 ounces.

The Chicago Fizz: A Classic Drink That Stands the Test of Time

As a professional bartender, I've seen my fair share of classic cocktails come and go. But one drink that has stood the test of time is the Chicago Fizz. This refreshing concoction is a perfect blend of sweet, sour, and fizzy, making it an ideal drink for any occasion. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the history, ingredients, garnishing, variations, and common mistakes when making the Chicago Fizz.

Popularity

The Chicago Fizz has been a popular drink for decades, and it's not hard to see why. This classic cocktail is believed to have originated in Chicago in the early 1900s. It was originally called the Chicago Sour, but the name was later changed to the Chicago Fizz due to the addition of carbonated water. The Chicago Fizz has become famous for its refreshing taste, making it a popular choice for those hot summer days. The drink has gained popularity worldwide, and you can find it on the menu of most bars and restaurants.

Ingredients and Their Roles

The Chicago Fizz is made up of a few simple ingredients that work together to create a delicious and refreshing drink. The ingredients and their roles are as follows:

  • Light Rum: The base spirit of the Chicago Fizz. It provides a smooth and slightly sweet flavor to the drink.
  • Port: This fortified wine adds a rich and fruity flavor to the cocktail.
  • Lemons: The sour component of the Chicago Fizz. It provides a tangy and refreshing taste to the drink.
  • Powdered Sugar: This ingredient adds sweetness to the cocktail and helps to balance out the sourness of the lemons.
  • Egg: The egg white gives the drink a frothy texture and adds a silky smoothness to the cocktail.
  • Carbonated Water: This ingredient adds the fizz to the Chicago Fizz, making it a refreshing and effervescent drink.

How to Garnish

The Chicago Fizz is typically served in a Highball glass, which is a tall glass that holds about 8 to 12 ounces of liquid. To garnish the Chicago Fizz, you can add a slice of lemon or a cherry to the rim of the glass. You can also add a sprig of mint to the top of the drink for a pop of color and flavor.

Variations

The Chicago Fizz is a versatile drink that can be customized to fit your taste preferences. Here are a few variations of the classic recipe:

  • Virgin/Mocktail Version: Omit the rum and port from the recipe and replace it with more lemon juice and powdered sugar. Top it off with carbonated water for a refreshing non-alcoholic drink.
  • Gluten-Free Version: Ensure all the ingredients used are gluten-free (rum, port, lemon, and powdered sugar).
  • Vegan Version: Omit the egg white from the recipe and replace it with aquafaba, which is the liquid from a can of chickpeas. It provides the same frothy texture as egg white.
  • Keto Version: Replace the powdered sugar with a keto-friendly sweetener like erythritol or stevia.
  • Low-Calorie Version: Reduce the amount of powdered sugar used in the recipe or replace it altogether with a low-calorie sweetener.

Common Mistakes When Making

When making the Chicago Fizz, there are a few common mistakes to avoid:

  • Not shaking the ingredients enough: To ensure all the ingredients are properly combined, shake the cocktail vigorously for at least 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Using too much egg: Using too much egg white can make the drink too frothy and overpowering. Stick to the recipe's measurements.
  • Not using a strainer: Strain the drink using a shaker with strainer to get rid of large pieces of ingredients like fruit parts or seeds.
  • Not topping off the drink with carbonated water: The carbonated water is what gives the Chicago Fizz its fizziness. Don't forget to top off the drink with carbonated water before serving.

In conclusion, the Chicago Fizz is a classic cocktail that has stood the test of time. Its refreshing blend of sweet, sour, and fizzy makes it a perfect drink for any occasion. Whether you're looking for a classic cocktail or a customized version to fit your taste preferences, the Chicago Fizz is a drink that won't disappoint. So, next time you're in the mood for a refreshing cocktail, give the Chicago Fizz a try.

If you are going to order Chicago Fizz in a bar, don’t forget to mention all the ingredients to the bartender. Chicago Fizz can be served with different ingredients in different places.

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