Ingredients
- 2.5 oz Brandy
- 1 oz Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Superfine Sugar
- 4 oz Club Soda
Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine 2.5 oz brandy, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1 tsp superfine sugar.
Shake:
- Shake well to mix and chill the ingredients.
Strain:
- Strain the mixture into a highball glass almost filled with ice cubes.
Add Club Soda:
- Add 4 oz club soda to the glass.
Stir:
- Stir well to combine.
Serve:
- Serve immediately and enjoy your Brandy Fizz.
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
The Fizz family of drinks has been around since cocktails were first getting organized, and brandy was a common base spirit before gin and whiskey took over the spotlight. This particular mix no doubt popped up in bars across America and Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a simple, refreshing answer to a hot day.
You can think of the Brandy Fizz as a cousin to the Gin Fizz, or really any 'sour' style drink topped with soda. It's got that same bright, effervescent quality that makes a drink disappear quickly. What sets it apart is the warmth and depth from the brandy, giving it a bit more backbone than some of its lighter relatives.
This isn't a drink for velvet ropes or hushed conversations. It's for backyard barbecues, Sunday brunch, or when you just need something cold and lively after a long day. It's a workhorse of a drink, straightforward and always welcome, especially when the sun's high and you're looking to cool down without resorting to beer.
What it tastes like
The Brandy Fizz delivers a one-two punch of bright citrus and mellow, warming brandy. The lemon juice cuts through the spirit's richness, while the sugar brings it all into balance, preventing any sharp edges. The club soda then stretches those flavors, adding a lively effervescence that makes it incredibly easy to drink.
With 2.5 ounces of brandy, this isn't a weak tea. Assuming your brandy is around 80 proof, you're looking at a drink that clocks in at roughly 13% ABV. That's double the punch of your average light beer, so treat it with respect. It goes down easy, but it's not water.
The technique
Building a Brandy Fizz is a straightforward affair. You'll shake the brandy, lemon, and sugar with ice to get it good and cold, then strain it into a highball glass over fresh ice. The final touch is a generous pour of club soda and a quick stir to marry everything. It's a classic shake-and-top, meant for quick service.
The main trick here is to really get that lemon and sugar well-integrated with the brandy during the shake. Sugar needs agitation to dissolve properly in cold liquid. Once the soda is in, a gentle stir is all you need to combine without losing all that precious fizz. Don't go crazy with the spoon.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Brandy
- Use
- A decent VS or VSOP brandy. Something you wouldn't mind sipping neat, but doesn't break the bank.
- Skip
- That dusty bottle of 'cooking brandy' or anything labeled 'spirit distilled from grapes' without a clear origin. You'll taste it.
- Why
- It's the star. Its rich, fruity, often oaky notes are what give this drink its character and warmth. Quality here makes all the difference.
Lemon Juice
- Use
- Always fresh-squeezed. Get a lemon and a reamer. It takes seconds.
- Skip
- Bottled lemon juice. It's flat, often oxidized, and tastes like disappointment.
- Why
- The acid from the lemon is crucial for balance, cutting through the brandy's richness and making the drink bright and refreshing. Without it, you've got a sugary brandy syrup.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Whiskey Fizz
- A different kind of kick
- Swap out the brandy for your favorite bourbon or rye. You'll get a drier, spicier drink with a similar bubbly charm.
Gin Fizz
- The popular cousin
- Replace the brandy with gin for a lighter, more botanical take on the fizz. It's a classic for a reason.
Silver Fizz
- Silky smooth
- Add one egg white to the shaker before you mix. Dry shake first, then wet shake for a creamy, frothy head that changes the whole texture.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try Cognac, Armagnac, or even a good Applejack for a similar base spirit. A dark rum could work in a pinch, but it'll be a different beast.
Fresh lime juice is your next best bet. It'll give it a slightly different, sharper citrus profile.
Simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) is an easy swap; use 0.5 oz. If you only have granulated sugar, just shake it longer to ensure it dissolves.
A Collins glass or even a large pint glass will do the job. You just need enough room for ice and soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Brandy Fizz?
A Brandy Fizz contains brandy, fresh lemon juice, superfine sugar, and club soda. It's usually served over ice in a highball glass.
Is a Brandy Fizz sweet?
It has a pleasant balance of sweet and tart. The sugar is there to round out the lemon and brandy, not to make it cloying. You can adjust the sugar to your preference.
What kind of brandy should I use for a Brandy Fizz?
Go for a decent quality VS or VSOP brandy. You want something with good flavor that stands up to the lemon, but it doesn't need to be your most expensive bottle.
Is a Brandy Fizz similar to a Gin Fizz?
Yes, they are very similar in structure. Both are 'fizz' cocktails with a base spirit, citrus, sweetener, and club soda. The main difference is the spirit, which changes the flavor profile significantly.
Can I make a Brandy Fizz less strong?
You can reduce the amount of brandy slightly, or increase the club soda. Just be aware that too much soda can dilute the flavors too much.
Can I make a batch of Brandy Fizz?
You can pre-batch the brandy, lemon juice, and sugar mixture. Keep it chilled, then add ice and top with club soda when serving. Don't add the soda until serving time.
What's the difference between a fizz and a sour?
A sour typically contains spirit, citrus, and sweetener, served up or over ice. A fizz adds a carbonated component, usually club soda, making it a longer, effervescent drink.
Do I need a garnish for a Brandy Fizz?
A simple lemon wheel or wedge works great. It adds a visual cue to the citrus and looks clean in the glass. No need to get fancy.
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