Alabama Fizz: Classic Gin, Lemon & Mint Fizz

The Alabama Fizz is a crisp gin cocktail built from dry gin, fresh lemon, powdered sugar, sparkling water, and mint. The citrus and sugar create a simple sour base, while soda stretches the drink into a tall, lively serve. Two mint sprigs finish the glass with a fresh herbal aroma without turning the cocktail into a muddled mint drink.

Background

The Alabama Fizz appears in Harry Craddock's 1930 Savoy Cocktail Book. That documented recipe calls for dry gin, lemon, powdered sugar, soda water, and two sprigs of fresh mint. Its earlier origin and the reason for the Alabama name are not clearly established, so the drink is best described through its documented early-20th-century recipe rather than a speculative creation story.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Gin: Provides the dry botanical backbone.
• Powdered Sugar: Balances the lemon while dissolving into the shaken base.
• Lemon Juice: Supplies fresh acidity and citrus brightness.
• Carbonated Water: Lengthens the cocktail and creates its characteristic fizz.
• Mint Sprigs: Add a fresh herbal aroma as the finishing garnish.

Useful substitutions: Club soda can replace carbonated water. A London Dry gin gives the drink a particularly crisp profile, while a softer botanical gin makes a gentler variation. Simple syrup can replace powdered sugar in a modern adaptation, although powdered sugar matches the documented classic build.

Equipment

• Cocktail shaker
• Jigger
• Strainer
• Highball glass
• Ice

Mint Without the Muddle

The mint is intentionally restrained. Rather than muddling it into the drink, the classic preparation uses fresh sprigs as an aromatic garnish. That keeps the focus on gin, lemon, and carbonation while adding a cool herbal note every time the glass is lifted.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use a London Dry gin for a sharper juniper-forward version.
• Replace powdered sugar with simple syrup for easier mixing if historical fidelity is not the priority.
• Swap lemon for lime for a brighter but less traditional variation.
• Add a little extra soda for a lighter, longer serve.
• Gently clap the mint between your palms before garnishing to release more aroma without bruising it into the drink.

Helpful Tips

Shake the gin, lemon juice, and powdered sugar thoroughly so the sugar dissolves before straining.

Use freshly squeezed lemon juice because this simple recipe gives the citrus nowhere to hide.

Keep the carbonated water cold and add it only after straining. Never shake carbonated water.

Stir gently after topping so you preserve as much carbonation as possible.

Keep the mint above the surface of the drink so its aroma reaches the nose without overwhelming the flavor.