The Gin Rickey is a simple classic cocktail recipe! You’ll only need three ingredients to create this easy and refreshing drink.
The Gin Rickey is not only a refreshing cocktail, but it’s refreshingly simple to make! This is the perfect libation to mix up for a quick sip at home, or for entertaining friends.
(And if you’re into cocktails, you might want to also try our Kir Royale, or a special Spicy Lover Margarita. Or my very favorite and our most popular, the Bee’s Knees Cocktail!)
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The History of Rickey Cocktails
Cocktail history and theory can be fascinating. In fact, we have this book and it’s so fun to learn about the history of what you’re mixing!
The history of the Rickey is pretty simple — it’s named for Colonel Joe Rickey, a lobbyist living in Washington D.C. in the late 1800’s.
Apparently Rickey liked his drinks with minimal sugar, although initially the cocktail was made with bourbon. About a decade later, when the gin was substituted for the bourbon and the Gin Rickey was born, it took off with huge popularity.
Substitutions for Gin in a Gin Rickey
The interesting thing about a Gin Rickey is that you can substitute just about any alcohol you like.
Use bourbon to create a Bourbon Rickey. Try tequila and you basically have a skinny Margarita (with no sugar). If you use rum and mint, you’ll have a zero-sugar mojito.
The Gin Rickey is also a perfect base cocktail to use for experimentation. Add a little liqueur of your choice to switch up the flavor. Chambord, Cointreau, and Creme de Cassis are all fun ideas to try. You could even shake in a few drops of bitters to make something new.
To add flavor without adding more alcohol, try a syrup like grenadine, or even an unexpected flavor like a rose syrup. This, of course, adds sugar to your cocktail.
The Gin Rickey as a Low Sugar Cocktail Option
Another reason for the Gin Rickey’s popularity is its viability as a delicious and refreshing low-sugar cocktail! In one serving of a Gin Rickey, there are about 115 calories, 1 carb, and just about zero grams of sugar.
(The negligible amount of sugar comes from the lime juice, in case you’re wondering.)
It’s a great alternative to a vodka soda for staying ultra low on sugar intake.
But despite its lack of sugars (added or otherwise), it’s surprisingly balanced and refreshing! It’s definitely a fresh take on gin for those who don’t love gin & tonics.
Ingredients for a Gin Rickey
You’ll only need three ingredients to mix up a Gin Rickey!
Gin – A simple London dry gin is a great place to start. For a bit more depth, explore different types of gin and try something that may be more floral or citrusy. Or make your own gin like we did!
Sparkling Water – After a lifetime of testing and trying varying sparkling waters, I can safely say that my two favorite types are my trusty Soda Stream, and Topo Chico. I find that both of these options have the perfect amount of carbonation and bubbles, and the flavor really supports a mixed drink well.
Lime – It goes without saying that fresh lime juice is best when you’re making a Gin Rickey, or any other mixed drink for that matter!
Gin Rickey Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- juice of 1/2 lime
- sparkling water to fill
- ice
- lime wheel garnish
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add 2 oz of your desired gin.
- Squeeze in lime.
- Fill to top with sparkling water. Add garnish if desired.
More Cocktails to Try
If you like this drink, be sure to check out our other most popular cocktail recipes too!
- How to Make a Bee’s Knees Cocktail
- Blackberry Bramble Cocktail
- French 75 Cocktail Recipe
- Gin and Ginger Ale Cocktail Recipe
- Gin and Prosecco Cocktail
- Cara Cara Orange Cocktail Mixer Recipe with Printable Label
- Golden Irish Mule St. Patrick’s Day Cocktail
- How to Make a Kir Royale
- Salty Dog Summer Cocktail Recipe
- Blood Orange Sidecar Cocktail
Have fun! Be sure to give us a review below if you try out and love this cocktail. xoxo
Gin Rickey Cocktail
The Gin Rickey is a simple and refreshing cocktail for any mixologist to try!
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- juice of 1/2 lime
- sparkling water
- ice
- lime wheels
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add 2 oz of your desired gin.
- Squeeze in lime.
- Fill to top with sparkling water. Add garnish if desired.
Notes
The interesting thing about a Gin Rickey is that you can substitute just about any alcohol you like.
Use bourbon to create a Bourbon Rickey. Try tequila and you basically have a skinny Margarita (with no sugar). If you use rum and mint, you'll have a zero-sugar mojito.
The Gin Rickey is also a perfect base cocktail to use for experimentation. Add a little liqueur of your choice to switch up the flavor. Chambord, Cointreau, and Creme de Cassis are all fun ideas to try. You could even shake in a few drops of bitters to make something new.
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