A “pretty little gin cocktail” with the creaminess of a Pina Colada, the Ramos Gin Fizz (originally called the New Orleans Fizz) was invented in 1888 and became so popular that it took on the name of its creator— Henry C. Ramos, an even-tempered temperance advocate, God-fearing preacher-bartender (the kind of multi-hyphenated character only a city like New Orleans could produce).
Cocktail historian Dale Degroff calls the gin fizz “a sparkling version of a sour,” and explains that the Ramos Gin Fizz was embellished with cream, milk, orange-flower water and most distinguished by the strenuous shaking required to render all that creaminess. To be sure, some recipes estimate a “good 2 to 10 minutes” while others place it much higher and exhaustingly upwards of that number.
According to legend, the cocktail became such a sensation in New Orleans that Ramos routinely employed at least 20 bartenders working solely on shaking the cocktail. According to Stanley Clisby Arthur in New Orleans Drinks and How to Mix ‘Em Ramos’s team “nearly shook their arms off, and were still unable to keep up with the demand.”
Alas, this was only the beginning of the tale. It would take another 20 years for the Ramos Gin Fizz to make a true splash.
The year was 1935 when a wildly bombastic Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long, known then as the Kingfish, was “politicking” against President Roosevelt’s New Deal and decided to use the Hotel New Yorker as backdrop for a publicity stunt.
That’s how The Hotel Roosevelt’s head bartender arrived from New Orleans with a cocktail shaker in hand to make a Ramos Gin Fizz for the Senator. Surrounded by journalists and friends, Long talked shop, “Now this here chap knows how to mix a Ramos Gin Fizz,” Long explained. And mix he did, as Long expounded to ever-growing crowd, contrasting the fine points of the fizz to the dull points of Roosevelt’s plan, calling the President “no good” and a “faker.” Point made. Fizz made.
So, there you have it—the mixology and mythology of the Ramos Gin Fizz and Huey P. Long, both testament to the fancy and hard work it takes to become a legend.
To experience hundreds of years of cocktail culture in an afternoon, reserve your complimentary tour today.
Events
Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.
Sip & Soak It Up: Sazerac Through the Ages
Taste your way through Sazerac’s storied history with archivist Nick Laracuente. Your journey begins with a sample of Sazerac de Forge Cognac made in Segonzac, France, where the Sazerac family were distilling Eau de Vie in the 1600s. The Sazerac family grew into international distributors as their products are shipped to New Orleans. A pour of Sazerac Rye follows to highlight the industry transition as France’s grape stocks were plagued by phylloxera giving rise to a popularity in rye whiskies. Next, sample a bourbon from Sazerac’s Buffalo Trace Distillery, the oldest continuously operating distillery in America. During Prohibition the distillery was even permitted to remain operational, to make whiskey for "medicinal purposes.” When Prohibition ends in 1933, only four distilleries in Kentucky are capable of producing whiskey – Buffalo Trace, then known as George T. Stagg Distillery, is one of the last standing. Lastly, enjoy an exclusive pour to toast what is on the horizon as Sazerac continues to Honor Tradition and Embrace Change through constant experimentation and innovation as it develops spirits fit for any occasion. Your ticket price ($45) will include tasting of four Sazerac products, light refreshments, new information and artifacts not shared with the public before, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about any of our historic brands directly to the caretaker of Sazerac’s history! Seating is limited. This is a 21+ event.
Sip & Shop
Holiday Sip & Shop Thursday, December 14th, 2023 5:00pm – 8:00pm Join us for a Holiday Sip & Shop to prepare for the gift-giving season in style! This event promises to bring the spirit to light with beautifully packaged spirited gift sets, cocktail accoutrements, clothing, barware and even fun gifts for our four-legged friends! DJ87 will keep the season bright with holiday favorites spinning all night. Enjoy a complimentary spiked Apple Cider while you shop. If that didn’t get you feeling merry and bright, Santa will be on site from 5:30pm – 6:30pm for a holiday photo keepsake from LazyEye Photography! Opt-in to a mini cocktail class offered every half hour where you can experience a classic holiday cocktail and leave with the recipe to recreate at your own celebration! Just $12.25! (See what we did there??) When you register to join us for this complimentary event, you will have the opportunity to pre-purchase homerun gifts!
Here’s to classic cocktails — and those destined to be.
