Fitzgerald Cocktail (Easy Gin Sour Variation)

If you love a good gin sour, make sure to check out my Limoncello Sour, Enzoni Cocktail, Lemon Elderflower Sour. The Last Word cocktail is another great gin cocktail that gives that Gatsby vibe.

Or, if you or someone you love is a gin lover, make sure to check out my gin-themed must-haves that make great gifts (even if that gift is for yourself!)

• Unique flavor – the addition of bitters gives an herbal quality that complements the botanical flavor profile of gin. 

• Simple – it requires very few ingredients that are readily available at just about any grocery or liquor store. 

• Elegant and elevated – gin sours give a certain sophisticated feel to any happy hour or party and the Fitzgerald is no exception with its Great Gatsby vibes. 

Gin: as with any type of cocktail, the best kind liquor is your favorite and one that YOU enjoy. Since gin is a prominent flavor, make sure to go with a high quality one as your cocktail will only taste as good as the gin. 

Simple syrup: You can buy simple syrup, but it is ridiculously easy to make. Melt 1 cup of sugar in 1 cup of hot water – just make sure to allow the syrup to cool before using in your drinks. 

Lemon juice: As always, fresh juice will always taste best in cocktails. If you must use bottled, opt for one that is 100% juice and not from concentrate. 

Bitters: I used regular aromatic bitters for this drink.

Step 1: Add the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.

Step 2: Add the bitters and some ice. Shake until well chilled.

Step 3: Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with a lemon wedge, if desired.

• For a beautiful twist on the Fitzgerald, try using Empress 1908 Gin, which is infused with butterfly pea flowers and has a striking indigo hue that changes color with acidic ingredients like lemon. You can also try infusing all sorts of liquors with butterfly pea flowers as I did with my Butterfly Pea Flower Infused Vodka.

• Experiment with different types of bitters to change up the flavors – something like cranberry bitters or orange bitters would also work wonderfully. 

• Try a smoked version of the Fitzgerald that I created in my Outlander cocktail series called the Fiery Cross.

What kind of gin is best for a gin sour like a Fitzgerald cocktail?

London dry gin, such as Bombay Sapphire, is a classic choice. You can also use other gins with different flavor profiles. Something like Hendrick’s would provide notes of cucumber amongst other botanicals. And something like Teasmith Gin will provide notes of Ceylon tea, which pairs beautifully with the lemon, giving a tea and lemonade vibe. (Side note: the Teasmith Gin is also amazing in my Earl Grey Tea Martini!)

Where can I find unique flavors of bitters?

You can find all sorts of bitters on Amazon, everything from cranberry bitters to orange bitters and even bitter sampler sets that include grapefruit, cardamom, and lime coriander bitters.