Brandy Rickey

The Brandy Rickey is an elegant and simple long drink, perfect for warm weather. It is a less common variation of the more famous Gin Rickey, but it offers a uniquely smooth and fruity character from the brandy base. The absence of sugar makes it a distinctly dry, tart, and effervescent cocktail, allowing the flavors of the spirit and fresh lime to shine through clearly.
Brandy Rickey

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Brandy Rickey is a classic cocktail belonging to the "Rickey" family of drinks. It is categorized as a highball due to its preparation style of a spirit mixed with a larger portion of a non-alcoholic mixer and served in a tall glass.

Serving

Served cold over ice in a tall Highball glass, this is a light and refreshing long drink. Its alcohol content is relatively moderate, typical for a highball cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 150-180 ml / 5-6 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Rickey family of cocktails originated in Washington, D.C., in the late 19th century at the Shoomaker's bar. It was created for a lobbyist, Colonel Joe Rickey, who preferred his drinks without sugar. The original was made with bourbon, but the gin version quickly became the most popular. The simple formula of spirit, half a lime squeezed and dropped in, and sparkling water can be applied to nearly any base spirit, with brandy being a delightful and classic choice.
Origin
The Rickey style of drink was created in the 1880s in Washington D.C., USA. The Brandy Rickey is a direct variation from that era, applying the classic formula to brandy.

Brandy Rickey

The drink is primarily known as the Brandy Rickey. When made specifically with Cognac, it may be referred to as a Cognac Rickey, highlighting the type of brandy used.
Original name
Brandy Rickey
Alternative name
Cognac Rickey

Characteristics overview

The Brandy Rickey is defined by its crisp, sour profile and refreshing effervescence, with the brandy providing a smooth, fruity backbone. Its aroma is bright with lime, and the appearance is a clean, pale amber in the glass.
Flavor
Brandy, Lime, Crisp, Dry, Tart
Aroma
Citrus, Oak, Grape
Taste balance
Sour, Dry
Aftertaste
Clean, Short, Refreshing
Fizziness
Bubbly, Effervescent
Color appearance
Pale amber to light brown, Clear, Bubbly
Texture
Light, Crisp, Effervescent
Seasonality
Refreshing, Summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

This is a distinctly sour and highly carbonated drink with no added sweetness. The alcohol strength is mild, and the fruitiness comes directly from the brandy and fresh lime.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This simple highball requires only three ingredients: brandy as the base spirit, freshly squeezed lime juice for tartness, and sparkling water to top it off.
  • Brandy60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality VS or VSOP Cognac or Armagnac works well, but any decent brandy is suitable.
  • Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz (from half a lime)
    Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for this recipe.
  • Sparkling Water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Club soda or seltzer water can be used interchangeably.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed; the drink is built directly in the Highball glass it's served in. A citrus squeezer helps to extract the lime juice efficiently.
  • Highball Glass
  • Citrus Squeezer

Instructions

Making a Brandy Rickey is straightforward as it's built in the serving glass. Simply squeeze a lime, add the brandy and ice, and top with sparkling water.
1. Take a Highball glass and squeeze the juice from half a lime into it.
2. Drop the spent lime shell into the glass.
3. Add the brandy, then fill the glass with ice cubes.
4. Top with sparkling water and stir gently to combine.

Garnishing

The traditional garnish for any Rickey is the spent lime shell from which the juice was squeezed. Dropping it into the glass adds a visual cue and extra lime aroma.
  • Spent lime shell; after squeezing the lime half, drop it into the drink.

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is also vegan, caffeine-free, and typically gluten-free, as distilled spirits do not contain gluten.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

Being free of added sugar, the Brandy Rickey is a low-calorie and low-carbohydrate cocktail. The minimal sugar content comes naturally from the lime juice and brandy.
Calories
Averagely 130 kcal / 544 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 2 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 1 gram
Sugar level

Occasions

This drink is ideal for warm weather occasions like summer parties or a relaxing afternoon on the porch. Its refreshing and light nature also makes it an excellent aperitif to stimulate the appetite before a meal.
  • Summer afternoon
  • Casual get-together
  • Pre-dinner drink (Aperitif)

Pairing suggestions

The dry and refreshing character of the Brandy Rickey pairs well with light and savory foods. It cuts through the richness of fried appetizers and complements the clean flavors of grilled seafood and poultry.
  • Light appetizers
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Salty snacks like nuts or olives

The Brandy Rickey: A Crisp and Classic Highball

The Brandy Rickey is a testament to the elegance of simplicity. As a member of the classic Rickey family, it offers a refreshing, sugar-free alternative to sweeter highballs. Its combination of smooth brandy, tart lime, and lively carbonation makes it an exceptionally crisp and satisfying drink. Perfect for those who appreciate a dry, spirit-forward cocktail, it's an easy-to-make classic ideal for any warm day.

Similar Cocktails

Gin Rickey

The most famous version, using gin instead of brandy for a botanical, crisp flavor profile.

Whiskey Rickey

Uses bourbon or rye whiskey for a spicier, more robust character.

Rum Rickey

Swaps brandy for rum, creating a version with notes of molasses and tropical fruit.

You May Also Like

Sex on the Beach

A fruity and refreshing highball cocktail made with vodka, peach schnapps, orange juice, and cranberry juice.

Little Italy

A sophisticated, bittersweet Manhattan variation featuring rye whiskey and the Italian artichoke liqueur, Cynar.

Whiskey and Coke

A simple and iconic highball pairing the complex notes of whiskey with the crisp, caramel flavor of cola.

Pineapple Margarita

A sweet and tangy tropical twist on the classic Margarita, featuring the vibrant flavor of pineapple.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Gin & It

A simple and elegant classic cocktail combining gin and sweet Italian vermouth.

Churchill Cocktail

A sophisticated and smoky Scotch-based sour cocktail with notes of citrus and sweet orange.

Reversed Manhattan

A vermouth-forward twist on the classic Manhattan, offering a lighter, more aromatic experience.

Shaddock Cocktail

A bright and refreshing gin sour beautifully balanced with tart grapefruit, floral elderflower, and a whisper of bitter aperitif.