Rum Rickey

The Rum Rickey is a wonderfully simple and refreshing cocktail, perfect for a warm day. A close cousin to the more famous Gin Rickey, this version swaps the botanical gin for the sweeter, richer notes of rum. The combination of rum, zesty lime, and bubbly soda water creates a perfectly balanced highball that is both easy to make and incredibly satisfying to drink. It's a timeless classic that highlights the spirit without overpowering it.
Rum Rickey

Preparation

Preparation time: 3 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Rum Rickey is classified as a classical cocktail and, more specifically, a highball. It belongs to the "Rickey" family of drinks, characterized by a spirit, lime juice, and carbonated water, built directly in the glass.

Serving

Served cold over ice in a tall Highball glass, the Rum Rickey is a refreshing, moderately alcoholic drink perfect for sipping. The presentation is simple and clean, emphasizing its no-fuss character.
Serving size
Approximately 200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 12-15% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

The Rickey style of drink originated in the 1880s in Washington D.C., named after Colonel Joe Rickey. The original was made with bourbon, but the Gin Rickey quickly became the most popular version. The Rum Rickey is a natural evolution of this simple formula (spirit, citrus, soda), likely emerging as rum gained popularity in the early 20th century. It offers a slightly sweeter, more tropical take on the classic Rickey framework.
Origin
The Rum Rickey is a variation of the original Rickey cocktail, which was created in Washington D.C., USA, in the late 19th century. This rum-based version likely gained popularity in the early 20th century with the rise of rum's prevalence in American bars.

Rum Rickey

The drink is most commonly known as the Rum Rickey, a straightforward name indicating its base spirit and cocktail family. "Cuban Rickey" is a less common alternative, alluding to the common association of rum with Cuba.
Original name
Rum Rickey
Alternative name
Cuban Rickey

Characteristics overview

This is a crisp, tart, and bubbly highball with a prominent lime aroma and flavor, balanced by the chosen rum's subtle character. Its light body and clean, refreshing finish make it an ideal summer drink.
Flavor
Tart, citrusy, crisp, light, bubbly, slightly sweet
Aroma
Lime zest, subtle rum notes (molasses, vanilla, or grassy depending on the rum)
Taste balance
Sour, balanced, dry
Aftertaste
Clean, short, refreshing
Fizziness
Effervescent, bubbly
Color appearance
Cloudy, pale white, translucent
Texture
Light, watery, bubbly
Seasonality
Highly refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The Rum Rickey is defined by its pronounced sourness and high carbonation, with a low alcohol presence and minimal sweetness. Its flavor profile is bright and straightforward rather than complex or intense.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You only need three simple ingredients for a Rum Rickey: rum as the base, freshly squeezed lime juice for tartness, and chilled soda water to top. The quality of each component directly impacts the final drink.
  • Light Rum60 ml / 2 oz
    A good quality light or silver rum is recommended to maintain the drink's crisp profile. An aged rum can be used for a richer flavor.
  • Fresh Lime Juice30 ml / 1 oz
    Freshly squeezed lime juice is essential for the bright, tart flavor of a proper Rickey.
  • Soda WaterTop up, approx. 120 ml / 4 oz
    Use chilled soda water or club soda to ensure maximum effervescence.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment like a shaker is needed for this cocktail as it is built directly in the serving glass. A jigger ensures accurate proportions, and a bar spoon is useful for a gentle stir.
  • Jigger for measuring
  • Bar spoon for gentle stirring

Instructions

The Rum Rickey is easily constructed by filling a highball glass with ice, adding the rum and lime juice, and then topping with soda water. A quick, gentle stir and a lime garnish complete the drink.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes.
2. Pour the light rum and freshly squeezed lime juice over the ice.
3. Top the glass with chilled soda water.
4. Gently stir with a bar spoon just enough to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
5. Garnish by dropping a lime wheel or wedge into the glass.

Garnishing

A simple lime wheel or a spent lime wedge dropped into the glass serves as the perfect, functional garnish, adding a touch of extra lime aroma.
  • Lime wheel or wedge, dropped into the glass

Dietary Information

This cocktail is naturally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten, provided a pure distilled rum is used. It is fully suitable for both vegan and vegetarian diets.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This is a relatively low-calorie cocktail, with minimal carbohydrates and sugar coming almost exclusively from the lime juice. The majority of its caloric content is derived from the alcohol in the rum.
Calories
Averagely 150-170 kcal / 627-711 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 2-4 grams
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 1-3 grams
Sugar level

Occasions

This is a quintessential warm-weather drink, ideal for casual social settings like barbecues, poolside lounging, or a simple happy hour. Its light and refreshing nature makes it perfect for day-drinking or as a simple aperitif.
  • Summer afternoons
  • Casual gatherings
  • Happy hour
  • Poolside sipping
  • Barbecues

Pairing suggestions

The Rum Rickey's crisp, acidic profile makes it an excellent companion for light and savory foods. It pairs beautifully with seafood, particularly citrus-marinated dishes like ceviche, and cuts through the richness of fried snacks or grilled meats. It is also a natural match for Caribbean and Latin American cuisine.
  • Ceviche
  • Grilled shrimp or fish tacos
  • Salty snacks like plantain chips
  • Cuban sandwiches

The Rum Rickey: A Refreshing Tropical Twist on a Classic

The Rum Rickey is the epitome of a refreshing and simple highball. A direct descendant of the classic Rickey family of cocktails, it features a straightforward mix of rum, fresh lime juice, and soda water. This combination creates a tart, crisp, and effervescent drink that is incredibly easy to make and perfect for any casual, warm-weather occasion. Its clean profile allows the chosen rum to shine, making it a versatile and timeless choice for any spirit enthusiast.

Similar cocktails

Gin Rickey

Uses gin instead of rum, resulting in a more botanical and dry flavor profile. This is the most famous version of the Rickey.

Whiskey Rickey

Uses bourbon or rye whiskey instead of rum, for a spicier, oak-influenced character. The original Rickey was made with whiskey.

Mojito

A close cousin that also uses rum, lime, and soda, but adds muddled mint and sugar for a sweeter, more herbaceous drink.

Cuba Libre

Another simple rum highball, but it uses cola instead of soda water, making it significantly sweeter and adding spice notes.

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