Vodka Rickey: A Crisp Lime and Soda Cocktail
A Vodka Rickey is a tall, unsweetened mix of vodka, fresh lime juice, and soda water. A successful one looks lively and well chilled, with plenty of…
- The measured liquids total 5 3/4 oz (172.5 ml) before ice. A 10–12 oz glass provides sufficient room for the drink and its ice without requiring a dangerously full pour.
- Pour the vodka and freshly squeezed lime juice into the highball or Collins glass.
- Stir gently two or three times, lifting the vodka and lime through the glass without knocking out too much carbonation.
- Add the soda last and stir briefly: vigorous stirring makes this particular drink go flat.
- Cold vodka, cold soda, and ample ice also reduce the need for prolonged stirring.
A Vodka Rickey is a tall, unsweetened mix of vodka, fresh lime juice, and soda water. A successful one looks lively and well chilled, with plenty of bubbles, and tastes crisp, tart, and clean—not sugary. Fresh lime supplies all the acidity, while cold soda lengthens the drink without hiding the vodka.
Vodka Rickey recipe
Yield: 1 cocktail
Glass: 10–12 oz (300–355 ml) highball or Collins glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz (60 ml) vodka
- 3/4 oz (22.5 ml) freshly squeezed lime juice
- 3 oz (90 ml) chilled soda water
- Ice, enough to fill the glass
- 1 lime wheel or wedge, for garnish
The measured liquids total 5 3/4 oz (172.5 ml) before ice. A 10–12 oz glass provides sufficient room for the drink and its ice without requiring a dangerously full pour.
Method
- Pour the vodka and freshly squeezed lime juice into the highball or Collins glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, leaving space at the top for the soda water.
- Add 3 oz (90 ml) chilled soda water.
- Stir gently two or three times, lifting the vodka and lime through the glass without knocking out too much carbonation.
- Garnish with a lime wheel or wedge and serve immediately.
Add the soda last and stir briefly: vigorous stirring makes this particular drink go flat. Cold vodka, cold soda, and ample ice also reduce the need for prolonged stirring.
The recipe is intentionally dry. If it seems too sharp on the first attempt, reduce the lime juice to 1/2 oz (15 ml) next time rather than replacing the soda with a sweet mixer. For the intended profile, use plain, unsweetened soda water—not tonic water, which adds sweetness and bitterness. A clean-tasting unflavoured vodka works especially well because there are few other ingredients to disguise its character.
Enjoy responsibly.
Ask AI about this article
Pick a prompt, copy it, or open ChatGPT with this article preloaded.
Comments 0
Login to Post comments