description Whiskey Rickey Overview
Whiskey Rickey is a mixed drink in the Rickey family, a style associated with Washington, D.C., in the 1880s. It combines whiskey with fresh lime and carbonated water, usually served as a long drink over ice. The whiskey replaces the gin used in the Gin Rickey while retaining the basic combination of spirit, citrus, and soda, making it a straightforward highball for drinkers who prefer whiskey.
help Whiskey Rickey FAQ
How do you make a Whiskey Rickey?
Combine whiskey with the juice of half a lime and top with carbonated water, served over ice as a long drink. Unlike a sour or a smash, a proper Rickey contains no sugar or sweetener at all.
Who invented the Rickey cocktail?
The drink is named after Colonel Joe Rickey and was created in the 1880s at Shoomaker's bar in Washington, D.C., reportedly with bartender George Williamson. The whiskey version with bourbon actually came first, before the Gin Rickey overtook it in popularity.
Is a Whiskey Rickey sweetened like a whiskey sour?
No, the defining trait of the Rickey family is that it is served dry, with fresh lime and carbonated water but no sugar. That makes it crisper and lighter than a whiskey sour, which balances lemon or lime with sweetener.
What whiskey should I use in a Whiskey Rickey?
Bourbon is the historically faithful choice, since Colonel Joe Rickey's original 1880s Washington, D.C. version was made with bourbon. Rye also works well if you prefer a drier, spicier profile against the lime.
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