When it comes down to easy drinks, it doesn't get simpler than the classic rickey. Served in a highball glass and made from gin or bourbon traditionally, the rickey also includes a lime squeezed over and dropped into the glass along with carbonated water to top it all off. It's a wonder that the rickey isn't more popular today, though the tequila-soaked Paloma cemented itself as the most searched cocktail recipes in Texas. However, with Seersucker Gin's Southside Rickey, I have a feeling that could change.
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When Seersucker Distillery opened in San Antonio on February 15, 2018, Texans flocked to find out what the coveted Southern Style Gin tasted like. After all, Seersucker is the first and only distiller of it. The distinct gin has flavors of orange and lemon zest that are balanced with the classic juniper flavor of gin to create notes of honeysuckle and fresh mint on the finish. A gin that's truly refreshing, Southern Style Gin is the one liquor you need in your cabinet for the summertime.
Seersucker's founder and master distiller Trey Azar shared his recipe for the Southside Rickey with us for the summertime and it was so delicious, we knew we had to share it with you. A distinct taste of San Antonio, the drink pays homage to its Texan roots with the addition of Topo Chico.
The best part about this drink is that you make a large concentrated pitcher of the rickey base and simply cut it with club soda or soda water in your own glass. You can use a 33-ounce sealed bottle or try our trick with a 32-ounce self-sealing mason jar. To pour into your own, you can keep it classic and use a Tom Collins glass or use whatever you have on hand. In the Test Kitchen, we always have mason jars which is what we used. Here's the full tutorial for this gin rickey recipe.
Courtesy of Seersucker Distillery
Ingredients
- 20+ mint leaves
- 14 oz. Seersucker Southern Style Gin
- 5 oz. fresh lime juice
- 5.25 oz. simple syrup
- Topo Chico
Concentrated Pitcher Directions
Add 20 mint leaves to a large shaker cup or mason jar with a lid and muddle. Add Seersucker Southern Style Gin, freshly squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and 7 ounces of water. Cap the shaker cup or mason jar and shake.
If you're using a sealed bottle, funnel the pitcher concentrate inside. If you're using a mason jar, simply seal and store in the refrigerator.
Cocktail Directions
Shake the concentrated mix well. Pour over ice in a Collins or highball glass, or without ice in any glass you please. Add a splash of Topo Chico and garnish with mint or lime wedge.
As far as gin cocktails, it doesn't get any easier than that. After making and indulging in this cocktail a few times, we played with the flavors. To turn it into a mocktail and just a lime rickey, substitute the gin with Topo Chico Lime.
Do you want to know William Faulkner's Mint Julep recipe? Check out his recipe here, along with his amazing report on the Kentucky Derby.
