Gin Rickey

The Gin Rickey is the epitome of a simple, refreshing cocktail. It is a classic highball known for its distinctive tartness and lack of added sugar, which allows the botanicals of the gin and the bright citrus of the lime to shine. This clean, crisp, and effervescent drink is incredibly easy to make by building it directly in the glass. Its straightforward nature makes it a perfect choice for showcasing a high-quality gin.
Gin Rickey

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Gin Rickey is a classic highball cocktail. A highball is a style of mixed drink composed of an alcoholic base spirit and a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer. The Rickey's simple, un-sweetened formula has cemented its status as a timeless classic.

Serving

This is a tall, cold drink served in a Highball glass filled with ice. With a moderate alcohol content, it's designed for refreshing, longer sips rather than potent, short ones.
Serving size
Approximately 180-240 ml / 6-8 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 15-20% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The drink was created in the late 19th century at Shoomaker's bar in Washington, D.C., for a Democratic lobbyist named Colonel Joe Rickey. He preferred his drinks tart and requested a simple mix of bourbon, sparkling water, and a squeezed lime. The gin version quickly surpassed the original in popularity and became the official Rickey.
Origin
Washington D.C., United States, circa the 1880s.

Gin Rickey

The Gin Rickey is part of the "Rickey" family of cocktails, which are defined by a base spirit, half a lime squeezed and dropped in, and carbonated water. The original Rickey was made with bourbon whiskey. Swapping the base spirit results in variations like the Whiskey Rickey or Vodka Rickey.
Original name
Gin Rickey
Alternative names
  • Whiskey Rickey
  • Vodka Rickey

Characteristics overview

The Gin Rickey presents a clean, crisp profile dominated by tart lime and the botanical notes of gin, with a bubbly texture and a short, dry finish. It's an exceptionally refreshing and light-bodied summer drink.
Flavor
Tart, citrusy, botanical, crisp, dry, refreshing
Aroma
Lime, juniper, botanical, clean
Taste balance
Sour, slightly bitter
Aftertaste
Clean, crisp, short, dry
Fizziness
Effervescent, bubbly, sparkling
Color appearance
Clear to slightly cloudy, pale, transparent
Texture
Light, watery, bubbly, thin
Seasonality
Highly refreshing, summery, cooling

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a sharp sourness from the lime and a moderate fizziness, with no sweetness to mask the botanicals. The alcohol strength is relatively low due to the dilution from the soda water.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

This is a simple three-ingredient cocktail requiring gin, fresh lime juice, and carbonated water. Quality ingredients, especially fresh lime and a good gin, are key to a great result.
  • London Dry Gin60 ml / 2 oz
    A classic London Dry style gin works best to provide the juniper backbone.
  • Fresh Lime Juice15 ml / 0.5 oz
    Freshly squeezed juice is essential for the bright, tart flavor.
  • Carbonated Water120 ml / 4 oz, or to top
    Also known as soda water or seltzer. Use a freshly opened bottle for maximum fizziness.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed as the drink is built directly in the serving glass. A jigger ensures accurate proportions, and a bar spoon helps to gently combine the ingredients.
  • Jigger for measuring spirits and juice
  • Bar spoon for a gentle stir

Instructions

The preparation is straightforward: simply build the ingredients over ice in a highball glass. A gentle stir is all that's needed to mix without losing carbonation.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Pour the gin and fresh lime juice over the ice.
3. Top the glass with chilled carbonated water.
4. Gently stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients, and garnish with a lime wedge or wheel.

Garnishing

The traditional garnish is the spent lime shell or a fresh lime wedge dropped directly into the glass. This adds to the citrus aroma and visual appeal of the drink.
  • Lime wedge or wheel dropped into the drink

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. As it is made from distilled spirits and fruit juice, it is also gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

As it contains no added sugar, the Gin Rickey is a relatively low-calorie and low-carbohydrate cocktail. The minimal sugar content comes naturally from the lime juice.
Calories
Approximately 140-160 kcal / 585-670 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Approximately 1-2 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Approximately 1-2 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

The Gin Rickey is an excellent choice for warm weather and casual social events. Its light and refreshing character makes it ideal for summer parties, backyard barbecues, and relaxing afternoon sipping.
  • Summer party
  • Afternoon drink
  • Casual gathering
  • Happy hour

Pairing suggestions

The Gin Rickey's tart and clean profile pairs well with light and fresh foods. It cuts through the richness of fried foods and complements the delicate flavors of seafood, salads, and grilled white meats without overpowering them.
  • Light salads with vinaigrette dressing
  • Grilled chicken or fish
  • Oysters and other fresh seafood
  • Salty snacks like olives or potato chips

The Gin Rickey: A Timeless and Tart Highball Classic

The Gin Rickey is a quintessential classic cocktail that celebrates simplicity and refreshment. Its composition of gin, fresh lime, and soda water creates a bracingly tart and effervescent drink, notable for its complete lack of sugar. Originating in Washington D.C., this highball has remained a favorite for over a century, especially in warm weather. It's an effortlessly elegant, low-calorie option perfect for any gin lover seeking a clean and crisp beverage.

Variations

Whiskey Rickey

Uses bourbon or rye whiskey instead of gin, which was the original formulation.

Vodka Rickey

Substitutes vodka for gin, resulting in a cleaner, less botanical flavor profile.

Similar Cocktails

Gin and Tonic

Uses tonic water instead of soda water, which is sweetened and contains quinine, giving it a sweeter and more bitter profile.

Tom Collins

Similar but uses lemon juice instead of lime, adds simple syrup for sweetness, and is traditionally made with Old Tom gin.

Southside

A gin sour with lime, simple syrup, and mint, shaken and often served up in a coupe rather than as a highball.

You May Also Like

Spicy Paloma

A fiery and refreshing twist on the classic Paloma, featuring tequila, grapefruit soda, lime, and a kick of jalapeño.

Sidecar

A classic and elegant sour cocktail that perfectly balances rich Cognac, tart lemon juice, and sweet orange liqueur.

Barbados Rum Punch

A classic Caribbean cocktail from Barbados, famous for its rhyming recipe that perfectly balances sweet, sour, strong, and weak components.

Vodka Gimlet

A crisp, clean, and refreshing cocktail that balances the sharp tang of fresh lime with the smooth neutrality of vodka.

Have You Tried These Yet?

Kangaroo Cocktail

A crisp, clean, and spirit-forward classic made with vodka and dry vermouth, representing the original form of the now-famous Vodka Martini.

Lonsdale Cocktail

A crisp and aromatic pre-dinner gin cocktail with a delightful bittersweet complexity from a duo of vermouths.

Ancient Mariner

A complex yet refreshing tiki cocktail blending two types of rum with grapefruit, lime, and the warm spice of allspice dram.

Witch Hunt Cocktail

A complex and herbal bourbon sour featuring the unique Italian liqueur Strega, balanced with bitter Aperol and fresh lemon.