Discover the top 10 best gins for the trending Ramos Gin Fizz, a cocktail known for its creamy, floral, and refreshing complexity. Elevate your bar’s offerings and attract social-media savvy customers with these award-winning gins that enhance the classic cocktail's delicate balance. 

The Ramos Gin Fizz and its cocktail brethren top out the current trendy drinks chart for cocktail bars and upscale restaurant bars. Customers clammer for the Gin Fizz and other so-called soufflé cocktails, in part because they are so social-media friendly.  

In fact, the Ramos Gin Fizz is pure magic in a glass. This cocktail, known for its delicate complexity, makes it a special treat for clients. Creamy, acidic, floral, and refreshing, it’s the perfect cocktail to revive body and soul. The presentation is incredible, and these are cocktails most people will not make at home. Experimenting with gin soufflé drinks can bring profit to your bar’s bottom line. 

A Bit of History

What’s the story of the Ramos Gin Fizz and how can it be updated with today’s top award-winning and unique gins?  

Henry Ramos of New Orleans, its creator, kept the recipe secret in the early 1900s but made it public during Prohibition as an act of civil disobedience. When made right, the Ramos Gin Fizz is a thing of beauty: snow-white with a luscious, frothy head. Egg and cream add texture, citrus and club soda quench thirst, sugar, and orange flower water balance the flavors, and gin provides the kick. 

Bartender Friendly

Most bartenders find it the most high-maintenance cocktail, as the original recipe demands a solid ten minutes of shaking. During its heyday in New Orleans, bars employed dedicated "shakers" just for this purpose. However, vigorous shaking for a minute or two works just fine. In addition, pre-batching will cut the preparation and service time to almost nothing.  

The satisfaction of serving a mind-blowing cocktail like the Ramos Gin Fizz makes the effort worthwhile. With its rich history and over a century-old recipe, it remains a timeless classic. Traditionally enjoyed early in the day, as cocktail historian David Wondrich puts it, it’s perfect for "moistening the clay." Serve it in a chilled Collins glass, or whatever vessel brings you joy. 

Image: 2024 Bartender Spirits Awards - Gold medal winners.

The List: Top 10 Gins You May Have Never Considered

Here are the top 10 Gins for the Ramos Gin Fizz and other soufflé cocktails. These were all Gold Medal winners (many of them Double Gold) at the 2024 Bartdenders Spirit Awards: 

1. Citadelle Gin Jardin d'Été from Citadelle Gin Distillery: A subtle start soon turns to a solid botanical flavor profile that finishes bright. Very mixable, perfect for soufflé inventions.

2. Los Poblanos Botanical Spirits Western Dry Gin: Like walking along the forest floor or going on a hike. Bright, flavorful, and a wonderful finish with a lot of versatility in flavor. It will stand out in shaken cocktails.

3. Jaisalmer Gin Classic from Rampur Distillery: Classic bouquet on the nose, with elegant notes of juniper, coriander, anise, citrus, and pepper. Gentle on the palate but hits every mark that you want from gin with a lovely juniper and lemon finish.

4. Monkey 47 Distiller's Cut 13th Edition available from Pernod Ricard: Grapefruit, lavender, and pink peppercorn are subtle enough to make juniper the star. Beautiful from start to finish. It would make an amazing classic cocktail (like the Ramos Gin Fizz).

5. Merlin London Dry Gin from Lazaris E. Konstantinos: Bright citrus and sweetness of cardamom with a slight, pleasant burn on the end and a lingering aftertaste of grapefruit oil. Nice complexity and is very well-balanced in all of its flavors.

6. Colombo No.7 Gin - Navy Strength from Rockland Distilleries: Subtle, rich mouthfeel without much heat for its category. A lot of bright citrus flavors and a botanical bouquet throughout. This one is made for soufflé cocktail perfection.

7. BeGin Gin from Edgemill Group Pty Ltd: Bright and sunny with orange throughout, making it short and light at the finish.

8. Jones 1778 Navy Strength from The Copeland Distillery: Juniper, woody, and tannic on the nose. The mouthfeel is hot and tingly in the best way possible, with wormwood, orange, and anise really shining through.

9. Islands8 by Spirited Union Distillery: The botanicals are soft and well-balanced, with a nice bit of eucalyptus on the finish. A delightful bouquet that is fun to mix with.

10. Tasmania Gin from the Australian Distilling Co.: Bouquet of citrus and floral notes, especially lavender on this new world gin. Strong start, with flavor dissipating on the finish. Reminiscent of spring garden in bloom! 

The amazing this is that these top 10 gins all scored 94 points or higher at the Awards. And the diversity of flavors and origins is truly diverse for those bartenders seeking to make a statement. With differing inflections, all will serve perfectly for the Ramos Gin Fizz, that’s for sure.