Ramos Gin Fizz has more mystique than mystery

The Ramos Gin Fizz has approximately three times as many ingredients as the other mixed drinks in LSU Press’ Iconic New Orleans Cocktails series (gin, lemon juice, lime juice, simple syrup, egg white, heavy cream, orange flower water, powdered sugar, and seltzer water, if you’re making a shopping list.) It’s also the only classic in the set that should be shaken for 15 minutes straight, according to highly dubious lore.

Fortunately, John Shelton Reed, author of The Ramos Gin Fizz, doesn’t abide by that nonsense, which left him with 15 spare minutes to talk to The Food Section about his new book.