Stocking up on Gin Rickey cocktail ingredients is a very smart move if you’re headed into summer and can tell it’s going to be a hot one. This light, zesty cocktail is very quick and simple to whip up and pairs well with just about anything, from summer BBQ treats to fresh salads and delicious seafood dishes.
QUICK TIPS
INSTRUCTIONS
01
1.
Fill a tall glass or rocks glass with ice
02
2.
Pour the gin and lime juice over the ice and stir
03
3.
Top with the club soda and stir gently
04
4.
Garnish with a lime wheel and a sprig of fresh mint
05
5.
Serve
Is the Gin Rickey perfect for summer?
Why yes, it is! Arguably one of the most popular summer gin cocktails around the globe, this pretty drink is tailor-made for those sweltering days when all you can think about is an ice-cold cocktail that will cool you off without weighing you down.
During summer, many people like to keep things on the lighter end of the spectrum, which is why the caloric value of this easy clinker, at 146 calories, is quite a nice deal. Those who are focused on staying trim often reduce the gin to 1½ ounces instead of two, which brings the calories of this drink down to 114 calories. Either way, the cocktail only contains a single gram of carbohydrates, which comes from the lime juice.
But you don’t need to count calories to enjoy this compelling clinker. The fresh and zesty combination of lime juice and club soda, underpinned by the herbaceous nature of a good gin is a match made in cocktail heaven.
Speaking of the spirit, the best gin for this drink is London Dry Gin. It’s smooth and flavorful thanks to the distillation process and always adds a beautiful “green” note to any drink. This is particularly important in cocktails like this one, since there are very few ingredients, so each one you add really has to shine.
Popular variations on the OG
The best gin cocktails are always quite adaptable to personal taste, and the Gin Rickey is certainly not an exception. Here are a few ways in which you can tailor the cocktail to suit your preferences or those of your guests:
Add flavored mineral water. There is a great variety of flavored mineral waters on the market today. If you want to add some more flavor notes to your Rickey without upping the caloric content, this is a great option. In fact, you could get a selection of three or four sparkling mineral waters and offer your guests a choice. Think along the lines of strawberry, cranberry, cucumber, etc.
Swap out the lime juice. Keen to go a little sweeter? Switching out the lime juice for pineapple- or cranberry juice is a tasty option. Sure, it won’t technically be the original version of the cocktail once you do, but the great thing about cocktail-making is that you can put your personal touch on anything you make, so go ahead and give it a brand-new name. Perhaps your own…?
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It all depends on how you define "healthy". A Gin Rickey has fewer calories than a gin and tonic, and as such it's seen as a better option for those watching their weight. Alcohol should also be enjoyed in moderation.
The original drink contained bourbon, lime, and club soda, and was made for Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey by a bartender in Washington in the 1880s. It was called a Rickey, plain and simple. Once it was adapted to contain gin, it became known as a Gin Rickey.
