This gin lime rickey cocktail recipe is deliciously citrusy refreshing and takes less than 5 minutes to make. It’s the perfect poolside drink.
Lime rickeys remind me of my sister, Robyn. She used to walk down to the local ice cream shop and get a non-alcoholic lime rickey. Sometimes she would get it raspberry flavored.
I’ve only had a sip or two of Robyn’s limey drinks because if I were going to that ice cream shop, I wouldn’t waste my stomach space on a non ice cream item. That is for sure. I would always, ALWAYS get either a few scoops of ice cream or a milk shake.
When I got older, I started to enjoy this alcohol version. Because, well, alcohol.
Why would I say that this gin lime rickey cocktail is more refreshing than say, a martini or a butterball cocktail? All cocktails that have citrus in them would be considered more refreshing. It’s the zest.
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Helpful tips
- Use the best gin you could afford as I do believe it makes a difference in taste.
- When buying limes at the grocers, heft them in your hand and buy the heaviest and greenest limes you can find.
- I also smell the limes. The more fragrant the lime is, the fresher it is.
- You can wash the limes two ways: 1.) Use a natural unscented hand soap and scrub the skins with a vegetable brush and run the limes under water to wash off the soap or 2.) Fill a bowl with 3 cup of water and add 1 cup of white vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the limes under running water and use a brush to scrub the skin.
- If you are making only one lime rickey, you don’t need a shaker, you can just pour the gin and lime in the glass and stir well before adding the club soda.
- You may be tempted to put a sweetener in this cocktail, but don’t give in. Follow the recipe as written, then taste the drink to decide if you need it to be sweetened. I believe you will be satisfied with this recipe.
The history
In the late 1880s, a gentleman by the name of Joe Rickey coined the name when a bartender added the juice of half a lime to Joe’s “mornin’s morning,” which was a daily dose of bourbon, lump ice and sparkling mineral water.
So, the lime rickey was first made with bourbon, but later came to be made with gin. And apparently, in soda fountains on the east coast, the virgin version was enjoyed by kiddos, and that included my sister.
How to mix the gin lime rickey
Pre-step
Fill a cocktail shaker halfway with ice and get a measuring glass and your glassware. Also cut 6 thin lime wheels from a washed fresh lime.
After measuring out the ingredients, pour them into the shaker.
Step one
Gather the ingredients – gin, lime and club soda.
Step two
Measure 4 ounces of gin.
Step three
Measure out 2 ounces of lime.
Step four
Cap the shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Add ice to your waiting glasses and place three lime wheels in each glass. Divide the contents of the shaker between the glasses.
Step five
Top off the cocktail with club soda. I use a stirrer to mix it all up.
Here’s the vertical view.
You are going to love this. Especially sitting by the pool, sipping away!
I hope you enjoyed this gin lime rickey recipe.
Please leave me a comment! What is your favorite gin cocktail?
Other refreshing cocktails
And as always, may all your dishes/drinks be delish!
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Gin Lime Rickey Cocktail
- So refreshing that you will want to dance when you drink this gin lime rickey!
Ingredients
- 4 ounces gin
- 2 ounces lime juice
- 4 ounces club soda (I usually don’t measure, I just top off the glass with the soda)
Garnish
- 3 – 4 lime wheels
Instructions
- Fill cocktail shaker halfway with ice
- Add gin and lime juice
- Cap shaker and shake for 10 seconds. Add more ice to the glasses and add lime wheels
- Divide the contents of the shaker between the two glasses and stick a stirrer in one glass
- Sip
- Smile
- Enjoy
Notes
- Use the best gin you could afford as I do believe it makes a difference in taste.
- When buying limes at the grocers, heft them in your hand and buy the heaviest and greenest limes you can find.
- I also smell the limes. The more fragrant the lime is, the fresher it is.
- You can wash the limes two ways: 1.) Use a natural unscented hand soap and scrub the skins with a vegetable brush and run the limes under water to wash off the soap or 2.) Fill a bowl with 3 cup of water and add 1 cup of white vinegar and let it sit for 10 minutes. Rinse the limes under running water and use a brush to scrub the skin.
- If you are making only one lime rickey, you don’t need a shaker, you can just pour the gin and lime in the glass and stir well before adding the club soda.
- You may be tempted to put a sweetener in this cocktail, but don’t give in. Follow the recipe as written, then taste the drink to decide if you need it to be sweetened. I believe you will be satisfied with this recipe.
Nutrition
Originally published in August of 2017.
Ayngelina Brogan
I’ve never heard of this drink before but I like everything in it so I’d love this.
Elaine
Ayngelina, It’s very delicious and refreshing!
Sarah Newman
I love simple cocktails, so this is great! Just soda and lime, so it doesn’t distract from the flavor. Great!
Elaine
Thanks so much Sarah. I totally agree!
Ginny McMeans
The lime must push it over the edge and make this so cocktail so fresh tasting.
Elaine
It is delicious Ginny, thank you!
Tracy | Baking Mischief
This looks soooo refreshing. It is so hot here today that I am definitely wishing I were sipping one of these poolside right now!
Elaine
Me too Tracy. I can sip the drink, just have to find the pool. 😉
Cindy Rodriguez
This looks so delicious! I love when drinks are simple so I can get to the fun part quicker.. drinking!
Elaine
Hehe Cindy! Gal after my own heart!
Pamela (BrooklynFarmGirl)
This cocktail looks so irresistibly good!
Elaine
Thank you Pamela!
Tisha
Could definitely go for one of these right now!! HELLOO Happy Hour!
Elaine
Hehe! Indeed. Thanks Tisha!
Kelly Anthony
I just started drinking gin so I’m excited to try this. I also love your lime picking tips. So good!
Elaine
It’s so yummy Kelly!!
Jillian
I love lime flavored anything!! I think I’ll have mine, like your sister enjoyed it – non alcoholic, and drink it all summer long!
Elaine
Hehe. Yes, it’s even good without alcohol! 😉
Jamie
This looks so refreshing and perfect for a spring cocktail! I love lime so I know this will be delicious. Great photography too!
Elaine
Thanks you Jamie! I appreciate it!
Kristina
Such a refreshing and crisp drink! Following the step by steps you give will definitely make it turn out perfectly!
Elaine
Thank you Kristina!