Paul Kushner
When it comes to being a bartender, Gin Rickey is one of my personal favorites. With its timeless combination of gin, lime, and club soda, this traditional cocktail never fails to please. This cocktail is perfect for any occasion because it is both easy to make and looks classy. The Gin Rickey is an excellent choice, whether you’re a gin connoisseur or simply seeking a refreshing beverage.
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Tasting Notes
The Gin Rickey is a drink that will excite all of your senses. Its flavor is a perfect symphony of gin’s botanical notes, boosted by the tang of fresh lime juice and offset by the subtle fizz of club soda. It’s a refreshing drink that cools you down like a summer breeze and has a dry aftertaste that makes you crave more. With each drink, you’ll experience a revitalizing and fulfilling clarity.
Equipment and Glassware
A Gin Rickey is an easy-to-make summer cocktail that calls for the following equipment and glassware:
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Bar Spoon
- Knife and Cutting Board
- Citrus Juicer (Optional)
- Ice Maker or Ice Tray
Ingredients
- 2 ounces of gin
- 1/2 ounce of freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 ounces of club soda, or to taste
- Lime wheels for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the gin and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with lime wheels.
Pro Tips
Here are some pointers to make a Gin Rickey your guests will remember:
- Use fresh lime juice at all times. When contrasted with bottled juice, it is a huge difference.
- Invest in high-quality gin. Using high-quality gin can take any cocktail to the next level.
- Feel free to taste-test the lime juice and club soda proportions. Different people prefer different levels of acidity.
When to Serve
Gin Rickey is at its best in the summer, when it may quench your thirst on steamy afternoons or serve as a welcome cooler at outdoor parties and cookouts. On the other hand, whether you’re entertaining guests or lounging around the house, its refreshing flavor makes it a great pick year-round.
Which Liquor Brands to Choose
Since Gin Rickey is light and refreshing, you should select a gin that complements it. You should use a gin that goes well with the Gin Rickey’s light and refreshing character. The sourness of lime goes wonderfully with the botanical complexity of brands such as Tanqueray, Bombay Sapphire, and Hendrick’s. Taste around until you discover the brand that suits you best; each one has its own distinct profile.
Similar Cocktail
If you enjoy the Gin Rickey, here are five similar cocktails to explore:
- Tom Collins: a sweet and sour gin-based cocktail, topped with soda water.
- Mojito: a refreshing rum cocktail with mint, lime, and soda water.
- Vodka Soda: a simple, crisp drink with vodka and soda water.
- Whiskey Sour: a mix of whiskey, lemon juice, and sugar, served with a dash of egg white.
- French 75: a celebratory cocktail combining gin, lemon juice, sugar, and champagne.
History
Washington, D.C.’s Gin Rickey has a colorful history that begins in the late 1800s. Colonel Joe Rickey, a prominent lobbyist, was the inspiration for the drink’s name; he made gin, lime, and soda water his signature cocktail. A timeless classic, the Gin Rickey is famed for its refreshing features and simple elegance. Originally made with bourbon, the drink’s success led to its conversion to gin.
Ingredients
- 2 oz. gin
- 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 4 oz. club soda or to taste
- lime wheels for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Add the gin and freshly squeezed lime juice.
- Fill the remainder of the glass with club soda and stir.
- Garnish with lime wheels.
