Bourbon Rickey

By Melissa Search Jump to Recipe

A zesty, bubbly classic—the Bourbon Rickey is a perfectly refreshing cocktail, with zero added sugar.

The origin of the refreshing Bourbon Rickey transports us to a shabby bar in Washington, D.C., circa 1883. It was at Shoomaker’s Saloon, a popular watering hole for politicians, where Colonel Joe Rickey’s libation of choice was sparkling water with bourbon. The Democratic lobbyist and veteran preferred his drink simple. However, one day the bartender added a squeeze of fresh lime, creating the Bourbon Rickey and the rest is history.

As a bartender, I have to say I made this drink countless times. However, people don’t often call it a Bourbon Rickey, just a bourbon and soda. Being the nerd that I am, I studied classic cocktails and a Rickey is definitely part of the bartender lingo, regardless of what century it is. While the Bourbon Rickey is the OG, the Gin Rickey is a similar (possibly more popular) drink which is made with gin, sparkling water, and lime.

The appeal of the Bourbon Rickey is its lightness—both in flavor, with a delicate fizz and hint of lime—and in drinkability. You can likely have a few without feeling overly full, as you may with a fruity, sweet cocktail that contains added sugar. Bourbon has a bite or a bit of a sting to it, so combining it with sparkling water gives you the chance to taste the natural sweetness and hints of warm flavors like caramel and oak, that you may not detect if you drink the liquor straight. Finally, the zest of fresh lime complements these notes with a bright, refreshing taste.

What Is The Best Alcohol To Use In A Bourbon Rickey?

Picking your poison for a Bourbon Rickey depends on individual tastes. The most popular choices are Buffalo Trace and Wild Turkey. Both are great value with a fair price point at about $25, and are smooth with a balance of sweetness and woodiness. On the higher end, I go for Michter’s Straight Bourbon Whiskey. I was gifted a bottle of this, which went quick from my home bar. A lot of my friends loved this small-batch bourbon with its caramel-like flavor.

What Glassware and Garnish are Used?

The Bourbon Rickey is served in a highball glass filled with ice. It is garnished with a fresh-squeezed lime wedge dropped right into the drink.

Can I Use Bottled Lime Juice Instead of Fresh Lime?

If all you have is bottled lime juice, you can add a splash. However, I have never found a juice that can compete with the smack of a fresh, tangy lime.

Bourbon Rickey Variations

In the cocktail world, nothing beats the classics. The simplicity of a Rickey is unmatched and easy to prepare. It is no surprise that other Rickey cocktails followed suit and became popular as well. Also, bourbon is having a moment. The liquor has made its way from Kentucky across the globe and is currently trending with a positive growth outlook in the future. If you loved the Bourbon Rickey, here are some of our favorite variations you have to try.

• Gin Rickey – Replace the bourbon with gin (I recommend Hendrick’s), and you have the refreshing and more popular cousin of the Bourbon Rickey.
• Lime Rickey – Dry January’s number one drink. Get the zest of a Rickey sans alcohol.
• Bourbon Manhattan – As famous as the borough it is named after, Bourbon Manhattan is the epitome of sophistication.
• Bourbon Smash – A delightful, lemony cocktail with fresh mint for those of you who are not ready for a full-flavor bourbon drink.