The New Orleans cocktail created by Henry C. Ramos in 1888 is the Ramos Gin Fizz.
Ramos first served the drink at his Imperial Cabinet saloon in New Orleans. Its classic ingredients include gin, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar syrup, egg white, cream, orange-flower water and carbonated water. The egg white and cream create its characteristic pale, foamy texture.
The drink became associated with an unusually long shaking process. Early bartenders reportedly recruited lines of “shaker boys” during busy periods, although the exact legend has been embellished over time. A vigorous shake is useful, but there is no universally fixed number of minutes required.
The Ramos Gin Fizz is often confused with a standard Gin Fizz. A regular Gin Fizz generally contains gin, citrus, sugar and soda, while the Ramos version is distinguished by cream, egg white and orange-flower water.