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Ranch Water

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (114)
Ranch Water image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Blanco tequila
3⁄4 fl oz Lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1⁄3 fl oz Cointreau L'Unique triple sec liqueur
1⁄3 fl oz Agave syrup (agave nectar)
4 drop Saline solution (20g sea salt to 80g water) or merest pinch of s
2 1⁄2 fl oz Thomas Henry Soda Water

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

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How to make

Glass

Photographed in an UB Koto Collins 35cl

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a COLLINS GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge or lime slice wheel.

Method

  1. POUR first 5 ingredients into glass and stir to combine.
  2. ADD soda (or sparkling water).
  3. FILL glass with ice.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge or slice.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Ranch Water contains 154 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1.2 standard drinks
  • 10.65% alc./vol. (21.31° proof)
  • 17.4 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Kevin Williamson is widely credited with creating this cocktail which has become something a staple across the state of Texas. He says the drink has been on the menu of his Ranch 616 Restaurant in Austin, Texas, USA since they opened in 1998.

The White Buffalo Bar at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas is also associated with this cocktail's origin and Williamson says that it was his team who introduced the cocktail to Gage Hotel.

Review

This refreshing Rickey-style cocktail is best made as per the original recipe, with a slightly salty sparkling mineral water such as Topo Chico. My recipe assumes suitable mineral water is not available, so in an attempt to replicate Topo Chico, I have added a few drops of saline solution (or a pinch of sea salt) to soda water (club soda).

In Texas, the following is a popular, heavier on the citrus recipe, but it requires a larger capacity Collins glass. Everything's bigger in Texas!
45ml (1½oz) Blanco tequila
30ml (1oz) Lime juice
15ml (½oz) Triple sec liqueur
15ml (½oz) Agave syrup
90ml (3oz) Sparkling mineral water

AKA: Texas Ranch Water

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$3.98 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

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* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

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Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Aaron Ginn
I leave out the Cointreau, but I do add a few dashes of grapefruit bitters. One of my favorite poolside drinks.
score: 1
Jay Drury
Very tasty and refreshing. It's like a fizzy margarita. Not a huge fan of plain margaritas, so I added 1/2 oz of passion fruit liqueur to spice it up. It was a little too sweet, so next time void the agave. Yum!!
score: 0
Mark
Surprisingly this was very nice, used Dry Curacao so the drink was far from being sweet, yet the orange was still present.
score: 2
John Hinojos Premium Member
Living in Southern California this was just OK. Not one of my favorites. Found it a bit bland. Even tried a tequila Anejo float and it was a bit better, but not one of my favourites.
score: 0
nicholas inston
Fever-tree Mexican lime soda works well.
Agree about the triple sec. Can leave out and still excellent.
score: 2
John Smith
A Texan says this is a winner on a hot day. You can cut back or even leave out the triple sec.
score: 5

View 6 comments and discussion

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Difford’s Shop logo
$3.98 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

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