Gin Rickey Cocktail Recipe

Gin Rickey is the right choice if you are looking for a simple cocktail that can quench your thirst. Originating in 1883 at Shoemakers by Colonel Joe Rickey and bartender George Williamson, the drink was originally made with rye bourbon but eventually evolved and was replaced with gin.

This cocktail is very suitable for hot weather and is often mentioned on every vacation in Canada. With only three ingredients, it’s simple, but there’s a reason why this drink has been popular for over 100 years. Let’s explore how to prepare it through this article.

Gin Rickey Cocktail Recipe

Gin Rickey Cocktail Recipe

Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1
Calories 180 kcal

Equipment

  • Highball glass
  • Measuring jigger
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Stirrer or spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 2 oz Gin substitute with Vodka for a Vodka Rickey.
  • 1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Club Soda to top Replace club soda with tonic water for a different fizz.
  • Lime wheel For garnish

Instructions
 

  • Cut your lime in half, then slice two thin wheels for garnish.
    Lime wheel
  • Fill a highball glass with ice cubes.
  • Place your lime wheels into the glass, positioning them nicely.
  • Add 1 oz of fresh lime juice directly into the glass.
    1 oz Fresh Lime Juice
  • Add 2 oz of gin into the glass.
    2 oz Gin
  • Slowly top the glass with cold club soda, creating that perfect fizz.
  • Gently stir your cocktail to integrate all the ingredients.

Video

Notes

Pro Tips for Success:

  • If you find the lime too sour, add a teaspoon of simple syrup to balance the flavor.
  • Try adding a couple of berries for a twist.
  • For a colder drink, ensure your club soda is well-chilled before use.

Calculate Nutrition

This cocktail contains approximately 180-200 calories, primarily from the gin. The lime juice adds minimal calories but lots of flavor.
Keyword Gin Rickey Cocktail Recipe

What does a Gin Rickey Cocktail taste like?

The gin offers an earthy and slightly floral botanical complexity, along with lemon juice to add a sour taste and a refreshing feeling, and club soda to neutralize and soothe to create a refreshing feeling.

This cocktail is neither sweet nor sour, so it’s very easy to drink. As you sip it, you can taste the gin’s vegetal flavors strongly at first, give way to the acidity of the lemon, and finally soften with the bubbly soda.

Suppose you follow the pro tips, such as adding a little simple syrup or throwing in some berries. In that case, you can further adjust Gin Rickey to your preferences. However, it is recommended that you use the original recipe once; this may be the recipe you like the most.

What is the difference between a gin rickey and a gin and tonic?

FeatureGin RickeyGin and Tonic
Mixer UsedClub SodaTonic Water
Taste ProfileCrisp, Refreshing, TartBitter, Sweet, Complex
Traditional GarnishLime Wedge or WheelLime or Lemon Wedge
Optional IngredientsNone (variations exist)Often flavored with botanicals like cucumber or herbs
Classic OccasionSummer, CasualAnytime, but often seen as more formal
OriginUnited StatesBritish colonial India
Caloric ContentGenerally lower due to the absence of sugar in club sodaGenerally higher due to sugar in tonic water

What are the three types of gin?

There are more than three types of gin, but here are three prominent categories:

  1. London Dry Gin: This is the most common type of gin and the one most people are familiar with. Despite its name, London Dry Gin doesn’t have to be made in London; it refers to the distillation process. It has a strong juniper flavor and can contain no added sugar. Brands like Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Bombay Sapphire are examples of London Dry Gins.
  2. Old Tom Gin: This style is sweeter than London Dry and is considered a bridge between London Dry Gin and Dutch Genever. It became popular in 18th-century England and is experiencing a resurgence in craft cocktail bars. The sweetness makes it ideal for cocktails like the Tom Collins. Examples include Hayman’s Old Tom and Ransom’s Old Tom.
  3. Genever: Often considered the original gin, Genever is a Dutch spirit. It has a maltier flavor than London Dry and is often sipped neat, but it can also be used in cocktails. It’s made from a malt wine base, which gives it its distinctive, fuller body. Brands like Bols and Boomsma are known for their Genever.

Other types of gin include Plymouth Gin, which has a geographical designation and is softer than London Dry, and New Western or American Gin, which de-emphasizes the juniper flavor in favor of other botanicals.