Gin Rickey recipe
The no-sugar highball — just gin, lime, and soda water.
Method: Build ·
Glass: Collins glass ·
Time: 2 min ·
Difficulty: Beginner ·
Family: The Highball Family
Ingredients
- 2 oz Gin (London Dry)
- 0.5 oz Fresh lime juice
- 4 oz Soda water
How to make a Gin Rickey
- Fill a Collins glass with ice.
- Squeeze half a lime into the glass and drop the shell in.
- Add gin.
- Top with cold soda water.
- Stir once gently.
Garnish
Lime wedge
Pro tip
The Rickey has no sugar — that's the whole point. It's meant to be tart, dry, and thirst-quenching. If you want sweetness, you're making a Collins.
History of the Gin Rickey
Named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a lobbyist who frequented Shoomaker's bar in Washington D.C. in the 1880s. Originally made with bourbon, the gin version became more popular. It's the official cocktail of Washington D.C.
Flavour profile
Tart, Dry, Refreshing, Light
Variations
- Bourbon Rickey — The original version with bourbon instead of gin
- Vodka Rickey — More neutral — essentially lime soda with vodka
- Tom Collins — Add simple syrup and you've got a Collins
Practise making the Gin Rickey in the free Virtual Bar game.