Valentine's Day Gin Fizz

Strawberry Gin Fizz is an easy gin cocktail that's great for Valentine's Day or strawberry season. Using a quick no-cook simple syrup, these fun and festive gin cocktails have only 6 ingredients.

About Valentines Gin Cocktail

This Strawberry Gin Fizz was originally created to be a Valentine's Day cocktail.

Mainly because it's pink, plus fresh strawberries are popping up in the store (the in-season, good kind).

But you can seriously enjoy this valentines gin cocktail whenever the mood strikes for an updated gin fizz.

While a typical gin fizz uses lemon juice, I decided to change it up a little by using orange juice. This helps increase the sweetness of the drink and pairs well with strawberries.

There are only 6 ingredients in this Valentine's Day Gin Fizz, and one of them is hot water.

In addition to the hot water, you'll use gin, strawberries, fresh orange juice, sparkling water, and sugar.

While the orange and strawberries do add sweetness, this cocktail needs a little something.

Honey and maple syrup were too strong, but I was too lazy to cook simple syrup on the stove.

The alternative is to make it by stirring together sugar and hot water.

Boom - you have quick simple syrup.

You'll want to let it cool for a minute before you mix everything together so you don't boil your strawberries and gin.

You'll notice in the photos that cocktails are lighter like the one, and some have a significantly more pinkish-red hue to the drink.

That's because the strawberries and gin-soaked together for longer.

If you want a more vibrant pink color, be sure to refrigerate the gin and strawberry mixture for at least 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best because they hold their shape better than defrosted frozen strawberries. However, frozen sliced (or whole) strawberries will work. Make sure not to get the strawberries with added sugar. Or if you do, omit the sugar and hot water you add to the drink.

Gin: Use a gin you enjoy but one that isn't super expensive because you won't really be able to appreciate it with the sweet strawberry-orange flavors. Hendricks, Beefeater, or your favorite gin will all work well. Because of the strawberries, orange juice, and fizzy sparkling water, the flavor of the gin will not be as strong.

Orange: Fresh orange juice is highly preferred, but bottled orange juice can work in a pinch. Half of an orange yields about ¼ cup of orange juice.

Hot water: In lieu of making a simple syrup by boiling water and sugar on the stove, mix very hot water with sugar until the sugar dissolves. This is basically what simple syrup is; however, you don't have to dirty a pot or turn on the stove to make it.

Sugar: Granulated sugar was used for testing. No need for anything fancy. In fact, just basic sugar is best so you don't overpower the strawberry and orange.

Sparkling water: Use your preferred sparkling water. Club soda or flavored sparkling water. Neither a soft drink nor tonic water is recommended because they will alter the flavor of this gin valentines cocktail. However, if you only have something like Sprite, skip the sugar + hot water then add it after tasting if needed.

Cost of Recipe

• gin 3 ounces: $2.25
• orange 1 medium: $0.58
• strawberries 1 cup: $0.57
• sugar 1 tablespoon: $0.02
• hot water 2 tablespoons: $0
• sparkling water ½ cup: $0.12

TOTAL COST: $3.54 or $1.77/serving (Based on San Diego grocery stores 2023)

Note that this is not the recipe; it's simply to show the cost breakdown of ingredients. Be sure to scroll down to the full recipe to see the specific ingredients and directions.

How to Make a Gin Valentines Cocktail

Strawberry Gin Fizz Recipe Tips

*For best results, refrigerate the gin and strawberry mixture for at least 30 minutes. That will give your drink a bright red-pink color.

*If you do not like fruit pieces in your drinks, strain out the strawberry slices.

This recipe can easily be doubled, tripled, or quadrupled to make a pitcher for multiple people. Wait to add the sparkling water until after serving in each glass.

Variations

Ingredient Options

Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best because they hold their shape better than defrosted frozen strawberries. However, frozen sliced (or whole) strawberries will work. Make sure not to get the strawberries with added sugar. Or if you do, omit the sugar and hot water you add to the drink.

Sugar: Sugar substitute can technically be used but I would only use a small amount and see how it tastes. I wouldn't recommend honey or maple syrup because they'll overpower the flavors. Agave syrup or storebought simple syrup could work.

Sparkling water: If a soft drink like Sprite needs to be used, omit the sugar syrup. Taste and add sugar if needed.

Flavor Substitutions

Orange: An equal amount of lemon juice or lime juice can be used instead of the orange juice.

Gin: Vodka can be used in place of the gin. Obviously, it would no longer be a "gin" fizz, but it'll still taste great.

How to Make Allergy-Friendly

This is already gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, vegetarian, and vegan.

How to Fix a Mistake

Too sweet: If it's too sweet, simply add a little extra sparkling water about 4 ounces (½ cup) at a time or gin about ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) at a time.

Not sweet enough: Add more sugar. You'll probably need to make some more of the sugar syrup, so make the same amount but stir in a little at a time until you get it sweet enough for you.

Too strong: If it's too strong, add extra sparkling water.

Not strong enough: Add more gin in ½ ounce increments until it's strong enough for you.

Make-Ahead Ideas

You can mix together the ingredients and store in the fridge for up to 1 week. The strawberries will lose their color almost completely and look less than ideal. In that case, it's recommended you either strain the strawberries out or you can muddle them.

Storage Suggestions

Keep the gin mixture in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

Do not add sparkling water or ice until just before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Nutrition Benefits

If you eat the strawberries, you'll get almost 70% of the recommended Vitamin C, 5% potassium, plus one gram of fiber.

Of course, alcohol isn't helpful in excess, and it isn't recommended that you consume alcohol in large amounts for a multitude of reasons.

So please drink this gin valentines cocktail responsibly.

What to Serve with Strawberry Gin Fizz

If you are someone who likes a large drink, you can serve it in a big glass with extra ice and sparkling water.

As with all alcoholic beverages, it's best to enjoy them with food to help your body slowly metabolize the alcohol, rather than quickly if you had an empty stomach.

Enjoy this strawberry gin fizz recipe with some snacks like Cucumber Chicken Salad Bites, Spinach Avocado Hummus, or Valentine's Day sugar cookies. Or pair it with a main meal like Easy Pesto Salmon with roasted potatoes and onions.

Final thoughts:

What's great about this strawberry gin fizz recipe is that you can double or triple the recipe and make a big pitcher of these to serve to a crowd. Or simply make a few for a festive, fun drink.

MORE FRUITY COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU'LL LOVE:

• Grapefruit Margaritas
• Blueberry Basil Bourbon Cocktail
• Yellowhammer Drink
• Cranberry Orange Vodka
• Piña Coladas

Meme

This post was originally published on February 10, 2015. Text, recipe, and photos have been updated.

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Strawberry Gin Fizz Nutrition Facts