This vegan gin fizz is bright and lemony with an herbal flavor from the thyme simple syrup. The recipe calls for aquafaba instead of egg whites to create the top layer of foam.
This gin fizz is a smooth, delectable drink to enjoy on a summer evening. The herbal aroma of the juniper from the gin and fresh thyme combine with the sweet, tart lemon for a complex, easy drinking cocktail.
I'd never had a gin fizz before becoming vegan (or any other cocktails for that matter, as I became vegan at age 15) and never tried it afterward either because this is one of those cocktails that calls for an egg white to create a foamy consistency.
The gin fizz bears similarities to two other drinks: the whiskey sour and Tom Collins. The whiskey sour also calls for egg white (or aquafaba, as in my whiskey sour recipe) and lemon juice, and is essentially a bourbon version of a gin fizz.
What's the difference between a gin fizz and a Tom Collins? These two cocktails made with gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and club soda are nearly identical until the finishing touches. A Tom Collins is stirred to mix and served with ice and a maraschino cherry, whereas a gin fizz is shaken with egg white or egg replacer to create the foamy top layer, but no ice (or cherry).
Now, let's make the gin fizz!
🍋 Ingredients
Gin
Use your favorite kind of gin. I'm partial to Bombay Sapphire.
Lemon Juice
The lemon juice plays a large role in the flavor of the drink, so I'd recommend using freshly squeezed lemon juice. Get the most out of your lemons by using a juicer.
Aquafaba
The vegan gin fizz calls for aquafaba to create the foamy layer at the top of the drink, which is usually created by shaken egg white. Aquafaba is a wonderful egg replacer for meringue and general baking, so it's no wonder it performs a similar role in cocktails.
If you'd like to replace an egg white in a drink because you're vegan, have an egg allergy, or would rather not drink raw eggs, aquafaba (the brine in a can of chickpeas) makes a wonderful egg white replacer for cocktails. Simply replace the egg white in any shaken cocktail with 1 ½ tablespoons aquafaba.
Club soda
The club soda is poured into the glass after adding the shaken cocktail mix. You might not need as much club soda as the recipe instructs. Make sure it's chilled so your drink stays nice and cold.
Thyme Simple Syrup
The thyme simple syrup is incredibly easy to make and it's a great way to use up garden herbs that are growing out of control! If you would like more lemon flavor in your drink, you can use fresh lemon thyme instead of regular thyme. Lemon thyme leaves have a lemony aroma and flavor, but are less herbal.
🔪 Instructions
Start by preparing the thyme simple syrup.
You don't necessarily have to remove the thyme leaves from the stems for this recipe since the herbs just steep in the simple syrup before being removed, but I think steeping just the leaves give the best flavor.
The best way to remove the thyme leaves from the stem is to hold the top of the stem with one hand, then slide two fingers down the stem to remove the leaves.
Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add the thyme and cook for 30 seconds more.
Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour. Strain the thyme leaves out of the simple syrup.
Combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and aquafaba in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until foamy. Pour into two glasses, then top off each glass with 2-3 ounces club soda.
Garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of thyme.
📋 Variations
Sloe Gin Fizz
You can sub the gin in the cocktail for sloe gin for a sloe gin fizz.
What is sloe gin? It's a type of gin made from the sloe berry, which is harvested from a flowering plant in the rose family. It's tart, sweet, and bright red in color, giving the liquor (and therefore your sloe gin fizz) a vibrant red color. Sloe gin typically has a lower alcohol content than regular gin.
Different herbs
You can use any kind of fresh herb when making the simple syrup and drink. Fresh rosemary or lavender would be delicious, or if you'd like to keep it simple, you can use plain simple syrup for a classic gin fizz.
💭 Tips
If you have extra thyme simple syrup, you can use it to sweeten and add some extra flavor to tea or cold brew coffee.
📖 Recipe
Vegan Gin Fizz with Thyme Simple Syrup
This vegan thyme gin fizz is bright and lemony with an herbal flavor from the thyme simple syrup. The recipe calls for aquafaba instead of egg whites to create the top layer of foam.
Ingredients
Thyme simple syrup
- ¼ cup sugar
- ¼ cup water
- 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves
Cocktail
- 4 ounces gin
- 2 ounces lemon juice
- 1 ½ ounces thyme simple syrup
- 2 tablespoons aquafaba
- 4-6 ounces club soda
- Lemon slices
- Thyme sprig for garnish
Instructions
For the thyme simple syrup
- Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pan over medium heat and bring to a simmer.
- Stir until the sugar dissolves, then add the thyme and cook for 30 seconds more.
- Remove from heat and let steep for 1 hour.
- Strain the thyme leaves out of the simple syrup.
For the cocktail
- Combine gin, lemon juice, simple syrup, and aquafaba in a cocktail shaker filled with ice, and shake until foamy.
- Pour into two glasses, then top off each glass with 2-3 ounces club soda.
- Garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of thyme.
Notes
- You can use the thyme simple syrup in other cocktails, or mixed into tea or coffee.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Manual Juicer Citrus Lemon Squeezer,Fruit Juicer Lime Press Metal,Professional Hand Juicer Kitchen Tool(yellow） -
24 Ounce Cocktail Shaker Bar Set with Accessories - Martini Kit with Measuring Jigger and Mixing Spoon plus Drink Recipes Booklet - Professional Stainless Steel Bar Tools - Built-in Bartender Strainer
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1 drinkAmount Per Serving: Calories: 210
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