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Cocktail History
The Gin Rickey is a classic cocktail that was created in the 19th century by Joe Rickey, a lobbyist from Washington, D.C. According to cocktail historians, Rickey preferred his bourbon cocktails made without sugar and just lime juice and sparkling water instead. Eventually this formula, which is aptly named the “Rickey,” took became popular worldwide, and since then, all sorts of different spirits have been used in this simple but effective combination of flavor and texture.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Club Soda: This is a carbonated beverage made with water and added minerals such as sodium bicarbonate, which are infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a fizzy, slightly salty flavor.
Gin: This is a spirit made by redistilling a neutral spirit with juniper berries and other botanicals to develop a distinctive, aromatic flavor.
Lime Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe limes that has a zesty, sour flavor and light green color.
Lime Wheel: This is a slice of lime that has been cut into a circular shape.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Jigger: This is used to measure and pour ingredients. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Bar Spoon: This is used to stir ingredients. I used the Barfly Stainless Steel Teardrop Bar Spoon.
Paring Knife: This is used to cut ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife.
Juicer: This is used to juice citrus. I used the ALEEHAI Manual Fruit Juicer.
Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Clear effervescent color
• Aroma: Citrus and juniper
• Taste: Peppery gin flavor rounded out with tart lime and a zing of soda water
• Finish: More gin botanicals
Kendall’s Take: “Funnily enough, this cocktail looks like it’s just a fizzy glass of water with lime, but it’s actually a great recipe for gin tastings. Most people start with other classics like the Gin & Tonic, but in my opinion, tonic water’s quinine bitterness is too overpowering to more undeveloped palates like mine. In the Gin Rickey, the spirit’s botanicals are much more prominent so you can easily discern which you like best.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from The Official Downton Abbey Cocktail Book: Appropriate Libations for All Occasions by Lou Bustamante.
Gin Rickey
Description
The Gin Rickey is a classic cocktail that was created in the 19th century by Joe Rickey, a lobbyist from Washington, D.C. According to cocktail historians, Rickey preferred his bourbon cocktails made without sugar and just lime juice and sparkling water instead. Eventually this formula, which is aptly named the “Rickey,” took became popular worldwide, and since then, all sorts of different spirits have been used in this simple but effective combination of flavor and texture.
Ingredients
Method
Fill a highball glass with cracked ice.
Add gin and lime juice to highball glass.
Top with club soda.
Garnish with lime wheel.
