A cocktail Rickey is one of the most refreshing drinks you can make. It’s light, citrusy, and bubbly, usually made with lime juice, a spirit, and sparkling water. Because it’s simple and crisp, the Rickey has been a favorite summer drink for more than a century.
Let’s explore 12 refreshing cocktail recipes you’ll want to try.
1. Classic Gin Rickey
The cocktail is the original and most famous version.
It looks clear and bubbly with a lime wedge and tastes crisp, citrusy, and refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz fresh lime juice
- Soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Fill a highball glass with ice. Add gin and lime juice. Top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with a lime wedge. This simple drink is the classic gin Rickey cocktail recipe.
2. Lime Rickey Cocktail
This refreshing drink is a citrus-forward lime cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ¾ oz lime juice
- Soda water
- Ice
How to Make It
Add vodka and lime juice to a glass filled with ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. Garnish with lime. A bright lime Rickey cocktail recipe.
3. Raspberry Lime Rickey Cocktail
This fruity twist is a colorful raspberry lime cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz lime juice
- ¼ cup raspberries
- Soda water
How to Make It
Muddle raspberries and lime juice in a glass. Add gin and ice, then top with soda water. Stir lightly.
4. Cherry Lime Rickey Cocktail
A classic soda-shop style cherry lime cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz lime juice
- ½ oz cherry syrup
- Soda water
How to Make It
Fill a glass with ice and add vodka, lime juice, and cherry syrup. Top with soda water and stir gently.
5. Bourbon Rickey
The bourbon cocktail is richer and slightly smoky.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz lime juice
- Soda water
How to Make It
Add bourbon and lime juice over ice in a highball glass. Top with soda water and stir gently. This is the classic bourbon Rickey.
6. Vodka Rickey
Light and clean, the vodka cocktail is easy to drink.
Ingredients
- 2 oz vodka
- ½ oz lime juice
- Soda water
How to Make It
Fill a glass with ice, add vodka and lime juice, then top with soda water. Garnish with lime. A simple vodka Rickey.
7. Rum Rickey Cocktail
This tropical version is a refreshing rum cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz white rum
- ½ oz lime juice
- Soda water
How to Make It
Add rum and lime juice over ice. Top with soda water and stir gently.
8. Cucumber Rickey Cocktail
Fresh and cooling, this cucumber cocktail is perfect for summer.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz lime juice
- 3 cucumber slices
- Soda water
How to Make It
Muddle the cucumber and lime juice. Add gin and ice, then top with soda water.
9. Grapefruit Rickey Cocktail
Bright and tangy, this grapefruit cocktail is refreshing.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- 1 oz grapefruit juice
- Soda water
How to Make It
Add gin and grapefruit juice over ice. Top with soda water and stir gently.
10. Ginger Rickey Cocktail
This spicy version is a lively ginger cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 oz whiskey
- ½ oz lime juice
- Ginger beer
How to Make It
Add whiskey and lime juice to a glass with ice. Top with ginger beer and stir gently.
11. Rosewater Rickey Cocktail
Floral and elegant, this rosewater cocktail is unique.
Ingredients
- 2 oz gin
- ½ oz lime juice
- 2 drops rosewater
- Soda water
How to Make It
Shake gin, lime juice, and rosewater lightly with ice. Pour into a glass and top with soda water.
12. Autumn Rickey Cocktail
A seasonal twist inspired by fall flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon
- ½ oz apple cider
- Soda water
How to Make It
Add bourbon and apple cider to a glass with ice. Top with soda water and stir gently. A cozy autumn cocktail.
Quick Answers
What is a Rickey cocktail?
A Rickey is a refreshing highball made with lime juice, soda water, and a spirit like gin or bourbon.
What makes a cocktail a Rickey?
The combination of lime juice, sparkling water, and a base spirit defines the drink.
Why is a drink called a Rickey?
The drink was named after Joe Rickey, a lobbyist in Washington D.C. who popularized the cocktail in the late 1800s.
Conclusion
From the classic cocktail Rickey—a bright, citrusy highball that even fans of Campari cocktails often appreciate—to fruity variations like raspberry lime, these refreshing drinks prove why this cocktail remains a timeless favorite.
