Gin Rickey
A no-sugar highball of gin, lime, and sparkling water—crisp, tart, and ultra-refreshing.
12%
ABV
132
Calories
Highball
Glass
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Fill a highball with ice
Add gin and lime juice, then top with club soda
Give a brief, gentle stir
Garnish with the spent lime shell or a wedge
Glassware
Built over ice in a highball glass
Garnish
Squeeze and drop the shell
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Pack the glass with ice to keep carbonation sharp
Drop the squeezed lime shell into the drink for aromatic oils
Pour soda gently down a spoon to preserve bubbles
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Gin Rickey.
Joe Rickey
A foundational American highball, born from the sweltering political climate of late 19th-century Washington D.C., combining American whiskey, fresh lime, and sparkling water.
Vodka Rickey
A supremely refreshing highball cocktail representing the clean, crisp evolution of the historic Gin Rickey. The bright tartness of fresh lime and effervescent soda water showcases the clean slate of vodka in this minimalist masterpiece.
Basil Rickey
A modern classic that marries the bracing refreshment of a 19th-century Rickey with fresh basil—herbaceous, effervescent, and perfectly balanced without added sugar.
Other Variations
Sheeney Rickey
Classic build but omits the lime shell in the glass.
Changes
History & Heritage
“Named after Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey, the drink began in 1880s Washington, D.C. as a bourbon highball before bartenders swapped in gin to suit summer heat. Its unsweetened build made it a light alternative to sugary punches and it became the capital's signature refresher, later inspiring countless Rickey variations at soda fountains and bars alike.”
More to Explore
If you enjoyed this cocktail, these similar creations might capture your interest.
Basil Rickey
A modern classic that marries the bracing refreshment of a 19th-century Rickey with fresh basil—herbaceous, effervescent, and perfectly balanced without added sugar.
Southside Fizz
A timeless and refreshing cocktail that elegantly marries the botanical complexities of gin with the bright, aromatic notes of fresh mint and citrus, all lifted by the effervescence of soda water.
Southside Rickey
A sublime marriage of gin, mint, and lime lengthened with club soda. The effervescent intersection of the Southside and Gin Rickey.