Vodka Rickey
A bone-dry highball of vodka, lime, and soda water.
The Vodka Rickey is the driest of the highballs, omitting sugar entirely to focus on the tartness of lime and the clean bite of the spirit. Unlike the Collins, which is sweet and lemonade-like, the Rickey is crisp, savory, and extremely refreshing. The vodka acts purely as a vehicle for the lime and carbonation. It is a traditional hot-weather cooler for those who prefer their drinks without any cloying sweetness.
Ingredients
- • 2 oz vodka
- • 0.5 oz fresh lime juice
- • 4 oz soda water
Did you know?
“While the original Rickey was made with bourbon in Washington D.C. in the 1880s, the vodka variation became a quiet staple for diet-conscious drinkers in the late 20th century.”
Bartender's Note
Squeeze the lime half directly into the glass and drop the shell in; the oils from the peel are essential to the flavor.
How to make the Vodka Rickey
- 1Fill a highball glass with ice
- 2Squeeze the lime juice into the glass and drop in the spent shell
- 3Add vodka
- 4Top with soda water and stir briefly
