Gin Rickey

The Gin Rickey is the more well known/popular of the Rickey style cocktail. The style is a simple combination of a spirit with carbonated water and maybe something else like fruit juice to add some interest. It's an extremely simple kind of cocktail but it's also very tasty.

The Gin Rickey (and all Rickeys for that matter) don't add any sugar to the recipe. Instead, the cocktail relies on simply diluting everything with the soda water to make sure nothing is to bitter or intense. If you like simple Gin cocktails like a Gin and Tonic or even a Tom Collins, the Gin Rickey is probably a good one to add to your repertoire.

And if you like the Gin Rickey, perhaps try mixing it up with a different spirit like Whiskey.

Total Time 3

Servings 1 cocktail

Ingredients

30 mL Gin use any Gin you like
15 mL Lime Juice
Club Soda to top up/to taste
Garnish with a wheel of lime

Instructions

Build this cocktail in a Highball glass with plenty of ice.
Add Gin and Lime Juice.
Top up with Club Soda.
Garnish and serve.

Notes

The Gin Rickey gets its name from Joe Rickey, a lobbyist from Washington D.C. in the late 1800's. Rickey first made the drink as a combination of soda and Bourbon, eventually adding some Lime Juice to it. Over time the Gin variety of the cocktail became more popular than its original Bourbon variety, but you're of course welcome to try this cocktail with Bourbon as well.

Overall the Gin Rickey is a nice and simple drink. It's on the drier side of things but that's half the point. If you want something sweeter, make something else!

If You Want To Know More About the Gin Rickey…

As mentioned, the Gin Rickey is only one of many variations on the Rickey. Just take any spirit you like and combine it with Lime Juice and Soda Water. It’s that easy.

For those who enjoy reading, you may also remember that the Gin Rickey is mentioned in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. They, of course, do a lot of drinking in this novel, but they don’t often specify what they’re drinking; at least in terms of cocktails. The only cocktails mentioned in the entire book are the Gin Rickey and the Mint Julep. There’s plenty of Champagne mentioned and even Whiskey, but for a book taking place during the Jazz Age, there’s not a lot of cocktails! So enjoy this recipe while thinking about The Great Gatsby.

What’s a good time for a Gin Rickey?

Since the Gin Rickey is on the drier side of things and really made as an easy refreshment, we recommend it on warm Summer days. This is pretty much the case for a lot of Gin cocktails. If you’re thinking about having a Gin and Tonic, why not change things up with a Gin Rickey instead?

We also often think that Gin is a good spirit for mid-afternoon drinking on a sunny afternoon. A cocktail like this also works well later in the evening when it’s still warm outside on one of those crisp summer nights.

Is the Gin Rickey a strong cocktail?

It’s not too bad as cocktails go, but do keep in mind that there are two full measures of Gin in this drink! Overall it’s relatively diluted with all that soda water, and it’s dry enough that you won’t drink it too fast. That being said, it’s pretty easy to go overboard on too many of these and get a bit drunk.

As things go, the Gin Rickey is no stronger than a Gin Martini (just more diluted); but it has the same amount of alcohol overall. So we’re not saying it’s strong, but we’re not saying it’s light either.

What’s the best music to pair with a Gin Rickey?

We already said that the Gin Rickey is mentioned in The Great Gatsby, so if you decide to skip the music, perhaps you want to sip on a Gin Rickey while reading a book. Reading is a great way to unwind as it drinking cocktails, so you’ll be sure to be nice and relaxed.

If you are looking for music, we’re going to recommend 1920’s Jazz. Although the cocktail was first invented in the 1800’s, we’re still leaning into The Great Gatsby reference, which takes place in the 1920’s. This way you can pretend you’re at a fancy garden party on a nice Summer’s day overlooking the ocean.

Have fun, and enjoy this cocktail.