Joe Rickey
A foundational American highball, born from the sweltering political climate of late 19th-century Washington D.C., combining American whiskey, fresh lime, and sparkling water.
12%
ABV
easy
Difficulty
highball
Glass
Flavor Profile
History & Heritage
“The Joe Rickey was created in the 1880s at Shoomaker's Saloon in Washington D.C. for Colonel Joe Rickey, a Democratic lobbyist. Seeking a refreshing, unsweetened drink to combat the city's summer heat, he instructed the bartender to combine his usual bourbon and sparkling water with the juice of half a lime. The drink's defining characteristic is the absence of sugar.”
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball or Collins glass to the top with ice.
Squeeze the juice from half a lime directly into the glass.
Drop the spent lime shell into the glass.
Pour the whiskey over the ice and lime.
Top with chilled soda water.
Give a brief, gentle stir to integrate the ingredients.
Glassware
Served in a highball or Collins glass
Garnish
The squeezed lime shell
Flavor Journey
Every great cocktail tells a story through its flavors. Here's the sensory experience you can expect.
Sweet
out of 10
Sour
out of 10
Bitter
out of 10
Strong
out of 10
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
The defining characteristic of a Rickey is the absence of sugar. Adding sugar turns it into a Whiskey Collins.
Use high-quality, highly carbonated soda water, and make sure it's well-chilled.
A gentle stir is all that is needed to integrate the ingredients without losing carbonation.
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Joe Rickey.
Gin Rickey
The most famous descendant, where the botanical notes of gin create a crisper, more aromatic version.
Changes
Tequila Rickey (Ranch Water)
A hugely popular variation, especially in Texas, using tequila, lime juice, and sparkling mineral water.
Changes
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