What is in a lime rickey?

Fresh lime juice, soda water, and ice: plus gin (or whiskey) if you want a cocktail. Mocktail versions skip the spirit and sometimes add a touch of simple syrup.

Does a lime rickey have alcohol?

It can go either way. The original rickey is a gin cocktail, but the soda-fountain lime rickey is alcohol-free, which is why it's so popular as a mocktail.

Why is it called a lime rickey?

The rickey is named for Colonel Joe Rickey, who popularized the gin-and-lime original in 1880s Washington, D.C.

What's the difference between a gin rickey and a gin and tonic?

A gin rickey uses unsweetened soda water and fresh lime, so it's dry and tart. A gin and tonic uses tonic water, which is sweetened and lightly bitter from quinine.

What's the best sweetener for a lime rickey?

Purists use none. If you want it sweeter, simple syrup blends in cleanly; honey or agave work too but change the flavor slightly.

Lime Rickey

Classic Lime Rickey

Print Recipe

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4 from 1 review

The lime rickey is a bubbly, refreshing drink that works as a cocktail or mocktail! It’s equally as delicious with gin or virgin.

Author: Sonja Overhiser
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 drink 1x
Category: Drink
Method: Stirred
Cuisine: Cocktails
Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale

1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh lime juice*
For a cocktail: 3 ounces gin or whiskey
For a mocktail: 1/2 ounce simple syrup
4 ounces (1/2 cup) soda water
Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
For the garnish: lime wedges

Instructions

Add the lime juice and alcoholic or non-alcoholic mixer (whiskey, gin, or simple syrup) to highball glass and stir.
Fill with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with lime wedges.

Notes

*For a fruity spin, go to Cherry Lime Rickey or Raspberry Lime Rickey.

**Caper juice or pickle juice may sound unusual, but they’re a way to mimic the flavor of alcohol (see our Virgin Margarita).

Find it online: https://www.acouplecooks.com/lime-rickey/