To make a Gin Fizz cocktail, shake gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup together with ice, then top with club soda. It's the most popular cocktail in the "Fizz" family.
To a cocktail shaker add gin, lemon juice, and simple syrup. Fill with ice, then cover and shake until well mixed, about 1 minute.
Strain mixture into a chilled rocks glass. Fill glass with ice, then top with club soda. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge.
Notes
Gin: A distilled spirit flavored with juniper berries and, occasionally, other botanical herbs or spices.
Simple syrup: To make it yourself, combine 1 cup water and 1 cup sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar is dissolved (do not boil). Remove from heat and cool before adding 1 tablespoon (or more to taste) to your cocktail shaker with the other ingredients. Store leftover simple syrup covered in the refrigerator for 3-4 weeks.
Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail.
Glassware: The Gin Fizz is traditionally made in a highball glass, an 8-ounce to 12-ounce glass tumbler such as a Collins glass (we shot ours in a lowball glass just for fun).
Big batch: To make a batch of 8 cocktails, combine 16 ounces (2 cups) gin, 8 ounces (1 cup) fresh lemon juice, and 6 ounces (3/4 cup) simple syrup in a pitcher. Have ice, glassware, club soda, and lemon wedges on hand so guests can help themselves.
Silver fizz: Add an egg white to the shaker with the gin.
Golden fizz: Add an egg yolk to the shaker with the gin.
Royal fizz: Add a whole egg to the shaker with the gin.
Diamond fizz: AKA a "French 75," use sparkling wine instead of club soda.
Green fizz: Add a dash of creme de menthe to the shaker with the gin.
Japanese gin fizz: Add a shot of lychee-flavored liquor to the shaker with the gin.
Gimlet: Substitute lime juice from the lemon juice, omit the club soda and serve in a chilled coupe glass garnished with a lime wedge.