The Rum Rickey is a refreshing cocktail that combines the zesty tang of lime juice with the smoothness of rum. This drink is perfect for a hot summer day or a casual evening with friends. Its simplicity and vibrant flavors make it a go-to choice for both novice and experienced mixologists.
If you don't usually stock rum at home, you might need to pick up a bottle from your local liquor store. Fresh lime juice is essential for this recipe, so make sure to grab a few limes from the produce section. Soda water is another key ingredient, which you can find in the beverage aisle.

Ingredients for Rum Rickey Cocktail Recipe
Rum: A distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts, such as molasses or sugarcane juice, by a process of fermentation and distillation.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed juice from limes, providing a tart and tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the rum.
Soda water: Carbonated water that adds a fizzy element to the cocktail, making it light and refreshing.
Lime wedge: A small slice of lime used as a garnish to enhance the visual appeal and add a hint of extra citrus aroma.
Technique Tip for This Recipe
To enhance the flavor of your Rum Rickey, consider using a freshly squeezed lime instead of bottled lime juice. The natural oils from the lime zest will add a subtle complexity to the drink. When shaking the rum and lime juice in the cocktail shaker, make sure to shake vigorously for at least 10-15 seconds to ensure the ingredients are well-mixed and chilled. This will result in a smoother and more refreshing cocktail.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rum - Substitute with vodka: Vodka has a neutral flavor that blends well with the other ingredients, making it a versatile substitute.
rum - Substitute with gin: Gin adds a botanical twist to the cocktail, offering a different but enjoyable flavor profile.
fresh lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it will be slightly less tart.
fresh lime juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice adds a unique citrus flavor with a hint of bitterness, offering a refreshing alternative.
soda water - Substitute with tonic water: Tonic water adds a slight bitterness and sweetness, which can enhance the complexity of the cocktail.
soda water - Substitute with sparkling water: Sparkling water provides the same effervescence without altering the flavor profile significantly.
lime wedge - Substitute with lemon wedge: A lemon wedge offers a similar visual appeal and a slightly different but still complementary citrus aroma.
lime wedge - Substitute with orange wedge: An orange wedge adds a touch of sweetness and a vibrant color contrast, enhancing the presentation.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cocktail
How to Store or Freeze This Cocktail
To keep your Rum Rickey fresh, store the rum and lime juice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This will preserve their flavors and prevent any unwanted dilution.
For the lime juice, consider using a small glass bottle or a mason jar. Freshly squeezed lime juice can last up to 3 days in the fridge, maintaining its zesty punch.
If you want to prepare the Rum Rickey in advance, mix the rum and lime juice together and store them in a sealed container. When ready to serve, simply add soda water and ice.
Avoid storing the mixed cocktail with soda water as it will lose its fizz. Always add soda water just before serving to ensure a refreshing, bubbly experience.
For a quick and easy garnish, pre-slice lime wedges and store them in a small container or zip-lock bag in the fridge. This way, they are ready to go when you need them.
If you need to freeze the Rum Rickey, pour the rum and lime juice mixture into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the cubes to a freezer bag. When you're ready to enjoy, simply place the cubes in a glass, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime wedge.
Remember, freezing soda water is not recommended as it will lose its carbonation. Always keep a fresh bottle on hand for the best results.
For an extra touch of flair, you can also freeze lime wedges or slices in ice cubes. This not only keeps your drink cold but also adds a burst of citrus flavor as the ice melts.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the Rum Rickey Cocktail into a small saucepan.
- Heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until it reaches your desired temperature. Be careful not to boil, as this can alter the flavor of the rum and lime juice.
- Alternatively, you can microwave the cocktail in a microwave-safe glass. Heat in 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm.
- Once heated, pour the cocktail back into a highball glass filled with fresh ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a fresh lime wedge.
Best Tools for This Recipe
Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the rum and fresh lime juice with ice to chill and combine the ingredients.
Highball glass: The glass in which the cocktail is served, filled with ice and topped with soda water.
Jigger: A measuring tool used to ensure the correct amount of rum and lime juice is added.
Strainer: Used to strain the mixed cocktail from the shaker into the highball glass, leaving the ice behind.
Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail both in the shaker and in the serving glass.
Lime wedge: Used as a garnish to add a visual appeal and a hint of extra lime flavor.
Bar spoon: Useful for gently stirring the soda water into the cocktail after it has been poured into the glass.
How to Save Time on This Recipe
Pre-measure ingredients: Measure out the rum and lime juice ahead of time to streamline the process.
Use bottled lime juice: If you're in a rush, opt for high-quality bottled lime juice instead of squeezing fresh limes.
Batch prep: Make a larger batch of the cocktail mix and store it in the fridge. Just add soda water and ice when ready to serve.
Chill your glass: Keep your highball glass in the freezer so it's ready to go and keeps your drink colder longer.
Garnish in advance: Slice and store lime wedges in the fridge for quick garnishing.
Rum Rickey Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz Rum
- 1 oz Fresh lime juice
- 4 oz Soda water
- 1 Lime wedge for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add rum and fresh lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and garnish with a lime wedge.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
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