Ocean Fizz Recipe – A Crisp, Coastal-Inspired Cocktail

There’s something quietly exhilarating about a breeze that smells like salt and citrus. That’s the essence of the Ocean Fizz — a cocktail that doesn’t shout for attention but lingers in memory like a beach sunset. It’s crisp, herbal, and subtly briny, with a balance that surprises you sip after sip.

Inspired by classic Southside cocktails but kissed with a whisper of sea salt and celery bitters, the Ocean Fizz feels like a toast to coastal calm. It’s the kind of drink I imagine Grandma Dalida serving on a breezy porch — mint crushed gently into lime, her laughter rising above the waves. Of course, back then we didn’t call it “mixology.” It was just what you did when friends dropped by.

Today, I make this when I want something refreshing yet elevated — a cocktail that feels like it belongs on both a Sunday brunch table and a candlelit balcony.

In this recipe, you’ll learn how to make the Ocean Fizz in under 10 minutes, explore its herbal-citrus flavor profile, and find tips to tailor it to your vibe — boozy or booze-free, classic or coastal remix.

Why You’ll Love the Ocean Fizz

Some drinks are just wet. Others are memorable. The Ocean Fizz lands squarely in the second camp — a cocktail that tastes like it was meant for golden hour.

It’s refreshingly light but never dull. The brightness of lime juice meets the botanical elegance of gin, while celery bitters and a pinch of sea salt lend it a depth that lingers without overwhelming. Every sip hits a balance: clean and bracing with just enough edge to keep you coming back.

It’s also incredibly adaptable. You can lean into the briny vibe with a salted rim, swap in flavored soda for subtle twists, or even go alcohol-free with an herbal mocktail base. Whether you’re hosting a patio party or winding down solo after work, the Ocean Fizz fits the mood without effort.

Here’s why it works so well:

• Takes just 5–10 minutes to prepare
• Looks elegant without trying too hard
• Uses fresh, accessible ingredients
• Tastes like sophistication with a splash of ocean air

Ingredients You’ll Need

This cocktail is built on clean, crisp flavors. Most of what you need is likely already in your bar or fridge. And if it’s not? I’ve included easy swaps to keep things flexible.

• 2 ounces gin – A London Dry like Beefeater 24 works beautifully, but you can use any citrus-forward gin
• ¾ ounce lime juice – Fresh-squeezed is key; bottled just won’t give the same brightness
• ¾ ounce simple syrup – Balanced sweetness to round out the tartness (learn to make your own here)
• 6 to 8 fresh mint leaves – Crushed gently, not obliterated
• Pinch of sea salt – Just enough to evoke ocean breeze, not seawater
• 1 dash celery bitters – This is the wild card; it adds a green, clean backbone
• Soda water – To top it off and bring the fizz

Optional Garnishes:

• Mint sprig
• Lime wheel
• Sea salt rim

Ingredient Substitutions:

• No celery bitters? Try a dash of Peychaud’s or skip it entirely
• For a mocktail version, use Seedlip Garden or cucumber tonic in place of gin
• Maple syrup or honey syrup can replace simple syrup for a richer tone

How to Make Ocean Fizz

This drink comes together quickly — no complicated infusions or obscure tools. It’s all about technique and balance. Here’s how to get it just right.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Muddle the mint.
   Place the mint leaves in a cocktail shaker. Give them a gentle press with a muddler or the back of a spoon. Don’t shred them — bruising is all you need to release that herbal aroma.
2. Add the liquids.
   Pour in the gin, lime juice, and simple syrup. Then add a pinch of sea salt and one dash of celery bitters. Fill the shaker with ice.
3. Shake until chilled.
   Shake vigorously for about 15 seconds. You want that shaker cold to the touch.
4. Strain and pour.
   Strain the contents into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
5. Top with soda water.
   Just a gentle top-off — enough to bring the fizz and open up the flavors.
6. Garnish and serve.
   Add a fresh mint sprig or lime wheel. If you’re feeling bold, rim the glass with sea salt before pouring.

Quick Tip:
If you prefer a smoother finish, double strain through a fine mesh to remove mint bits.

Pro Tips to Elevate the Ocean Fizz

The Ocean Fizz already carries a coastal sophistication, but with a few tweaks, it can shine even brighter. These small adjustments turn a great drink into a signature one.

Choose the Right Gin

• For bright citrus notes: Use a London Dry gin with lime or grapefruit hints.
• For earthy depth: Try a gin with rosemary or cucumber botanicals like Hendrick’s or The Botanist.

Get Creative with Syrups

• Swap simple syrup with rosemary syrup or basil-infused honey for a savory edge.
• Cucumber syrup adds coolness without overpowering the citrus.

Tweak the Bitters

• Celery bitters offer that fresh-cut herb flavor.
• For something deeper, a dash of orange or lavender bitters adds floral nuance.

Salt Like a Chef

• Use fleur de sel or smoked sea salt for aromatic drama.
• Consider a half-rim for subtlety — a bold flavor with every other sip.

Presentation Matters

• Serve in a chilled highball or Nick & Nora glass for elegance.
• Add edible flowers, a cucumber ribbon, or a tiny sprig of thyme for a polished touch.

Flavor Notes & Serving Suggestions

At first sip, the Ocean Fizz hits you with a clean, almost bracing brightness. Lime takes the lead, sharp and vivid, but it’s quickly softened by the botanical depth of gin and the gentle sweetness of the syrup. Then comes the salt — not in-your-face salty, but more like an echo of sea air that lingers on the finish. And the celery bitters? They’re the hidden architecture. You may not name them, but without them, the drink feels incomplete.

This cocktail feels tailor-made for:

• Warm-weather gatherings — Think patio dinners, seaside escapes, or rooftop sunsets
• Seafood-forward meals — It pairs beautifully with oysters, ceviche, or grilled shrimp
• Herb-driven appetizers — Try it with goat cheese crostini, cucumber sandwiches, or a basil-laced pasta salad

Serve it in a tall glass with crystal-clear ice and a fresh mint sprig. It’s not just a drink — it’s an atmosphere.

Ocean Fizz Variations to Try

One of the Ocean Fizz’s best qualities is how effortlessly it adapts. Once you understand its core balance — citrus, herb, salt, and sparkle — you can riff on it endlessly. Here are a few twists worth trying:

1. Coastal Garden Fizz

Add muddled basil or rosemary in place of mint. Swap lime juice for lemon and top with a splash of dry tonic water.

2. Tropical Fizz

Infuse your simple syrup with pineapple or passionfruit. Garnish with dried citrus or a pineapple wedge.

3. Ocean Fizz Spritz

Use sparkling wine instead of soda water for a boozier brunch version. Prosecco works best.

4. Non-Alcoholic Ocean Fizz

Replace gin with an herbal zero-proof spirit like Seedlip Garden or Lyre’s Dry. Use cucumber tonic and a mint-sugar rim for visual appeal.

5. Cucumber Sea Fizz

Muddle cucumber slices with mint, use cucumber-infused gin, and garnish with a cucumber ribbon. Ultra-refreshing.

Each version keeps that core “ocean air meets citrus grove” personality — just tailored to your mood or the moment.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Final Sip

The Ocean Fizz isn’t just a cocktail — it’s a state of mind. It’s that quiet hour before sunset, when the light softens and everything slows down. It’s clean, refreshing, and a little surprising, just like the best moments often are.

Whether you’re serving it to friends at a summer dinner or mixing one solo after a long day, this drink invites presence. It doesn’t overwhelm. It uplifts.

Give it a try, make it your own, and if you find a twist you love — share it. Some of the best recipes aren’t invented, they’re remembered.