The yuzu gin fizz is a refreshing, zesty Japanese-inspired cocktail: pink, sparkling, and deceptively simple to make. Fresh yuzu juice, Roku Gin, and a splash of soda, feels like something you'd order at a great bar. Love yuzu? Try my yuzu gimlet, yuzu gin sour, yuzu martini, or yuzu mule too.
Yuzu Gin Fizz – At a Glance
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What is Yuzu?
Yuzu is a Japanese citrus fruit known for its bright, floral flavour and refreshing aroma. If you're new to it, you can learn more about it in our yuzu cocktail guide.
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Ingredients
- Roku Gin
- Yuzu juice
- Simple syrup
- Grenadine or pomegranate syrup
- Soda water
- Ice
- Fresh thyme or mint to garnish
See recipe card for measurements.
How to Choose the Right Gin
Look for something clean and aromatic without too much juniper, so the yuzu can shine. Roku is the ideal choice - a Japanese gin made in Osaka with yuzu, sencha, and cherry blossom botanicals that mirror the drink perfectly. Hendrick's or Tanqueray No. Ten both work well as alternatives.
Finding the Right Yuzu Juice
Always use 100% pure yuzu juice with no additives. Tosa Yuzu Juice from Kochi Prefecture is my top pick. For more on choosing yuzu juice, see my yuzu cocktail guide.
What to Serve with a Yuzu Gin Fizz
This citrusy gin fizz works well with light Japanese dishes or even a rich curry, depending on the occasion. Try it with:
How to Make Yuzu Gin Fizz
Before you start, chill your glass to help the cocktail stay cold. An old-fashioned or highball glass works best. You'll need a shaker, plenty of ice, and a fine strainer. We usually double the recipe to make two drinks at once, which fits comfortably in a standard shaker.
1. First, shake the base.
i) Fill your cocktail shaker with ice, then add the gin, yuzu juice, and simple syrup.
ii) Seal the shaker and shake vigorously until the outside feels cold to the touch, about 10 seconds.
2. Strain over ice
Next, it's time to strain and pour. Using a cocktail strainer, pour the mixture into a chilled ice-filled glass.
3. Add fizz
Add just a small splash of soda water, then taste. Yuzu has a delicate and complex flavour that can disappear if you add too much, so start light and adjust if needed. The goal is to add lift, not dilute the drink.
4. Add color
Pour in a dash of grenadine, quickly swirling it over the top. Let it sink and settle naturally to create a pink gradient through the drink. We want the layers to stay visible, so do not stir.
5. Garnish
Take a sprig of fresh thyme or mint and give it a light clap between your hands before adding it to the top of the drink. This releases aromatic oils that enhance the scent as you sip. Serve right away.
Tips for the Best Yuzu Gin Fizz
- Use clear ice if you can. It keeps the drink colder for longer and helps preserve the balance of flavors.
- Keep your glass cold. A chilled glass helps maintain the texture and fizz of the cocktail.
- Add soda water gradually. Yuzu has a delicate flavor, so start with a small splash and taste before adding more.
- Use pure yuzu juice. Bottled yuzu concentrate will dull the citrus fizz and make the drink taste flat instead of bright and citrusy.
- Prep your garnish. Lightly clap the thyme or mint before adding it to release its oils and aroma.
- Serve immediately. Your sparkling gin cocktail is best enjoyed fresh, while the fizz and color layers are at their peak.
Ingredient Swaps
- Yuzu juice: If you can't find pure yuzu juice, use a mix of fresh lemon and grapefruit juice for a similar tangy flavor.
- Gin: Roku is ideal, but Hendrick's or Tanqueray No. Ten both work well. For a nonalcoholic version, try a zero-proof gin alternative.
- Grenadine: Use pomegranate syrup for a similar color and sweetness.
More Yuzu Drinks to Try
If you enjoyed this yuzu gin fizz, you might like these other drinks made with yuzu:
- Yuzu Martini - smooth and citrus-forward.
- Yuzu Gin Sour - bright and balanced with a creamy texture (plant-based).
- Yuzu Mule - a sharp, refreshing take on the classic mule.
- Yuzu Gimlet - clean, tart, and perfect for gin lovers.
- Yuzu, Mango, and Mint Smoothie - a nonalcoholic option that's fresh and citrusy.
Yuzu Gin Fizz FAQs
Yes. Yuzu pairs beautifully with gin because its tart, aromatic citrus brings out the botanicals in floral or citrus-forward gins. It's a natural match for drinks like a yuzu gin fizz or a yuzu gin sour, where balance and brightness matter most.
Yes. Traditional gin fizzes often use egg white for foam, but this vegan gin fizz recipe skips it entirely. The drink stays light and crisp, with the yuzu juice and soda water giving enough lift without needing any froth.
Both use gin, citrus, simple syrup, and soda water, but the method is different. A gin fizz is shaken and served without ice for a smoother, more concentrated flavor, while a Tom Collins is built directly in the glass over ice, making it longer and a little more diluted (and easy to sip!). Think of the gin fizz as a shorter, airier cocktail and the Tom Collins as its tall, refreshing cousin.
Absolutely. Bottled yuzu juice is ideal for cocktails like this yuzu gin fizz, as long as it's 100% pure juice with no added salt or sweeteners. We recommend Tosa Yuzu Juice, which captures the bright, floral notes of fresh yuzu and works well in both drinks and desserts.
That soft gradient comes from the grenadine. After adding the soda water, pour in a small dash of grenadine and let it settle naturally. Avoid stirring; the syrup sinks to the bottom, giving your pink gin fizz its signature layered look.
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📖 Recipe
Yuzu Gin Fizz (Refreshing Pink Japanese Cocktail)
Equipment
- 1 chilled old fashioned or highball glass
- 1 regular sized cocktail shaker
Ingredients
If you have a regular sized cocktail shaker you can double the amounts in this recipe to make two cocktails at a time.
- 50 mL Roku Gin
- 25 mL Tosa yuzu juice
- 12.5 mL simple syrup
- 15 mL soda water, to top
- 5 mL grenadine
- About 3 cups cubed or 'party' ice
- 1 sprig fresh thyme or mint, for garnish
Instructions cook mode
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, then add the gin, yuzu juice, and simple syrup.
- Seal and shake vigorously for about 10 seconds until the shaker feels cold.
- Strain into an ice-filled glass using a cocktail strainer.
- Gently top with soda water.
- Add a dash of grenadine and let it settle to create a pink gradient. Do not stir.
- Garnish with thyme or mint and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use clear ice if available
- Go easy on the soda water
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