You don't need cowboy boots or a love of longhorns to enjoy the classic Texan beverage that is ranch water. It's more than just a skinny margarita - you'll need to grab a few bottles of Topo Chico (yeah, you need to go with the brand name for the full experience) to get started. Can I get a yee-haw? Alright, let's get shaking with these ranch water recipes!
Classic Ranch Water
Quicker than picking up a Texas twang, the classic ranch water is ready in a blink. Bubbly with a touch of citrus, it's a great substitute for taco Tuesday.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, tequila, and lime juice.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Fast Fact
There's no official story about the history of the ranch water. Some think it was an easy way to get blue-collar workers into the bar to enjoy a cheap happy-hour drink, and others say it's been around since the 1960s.
Christmas Ranch Water
All it takes is a little sprig of rosemary to bring Christmas to the ranch, well, anytime of year, really. Christmas in July, anyone?
Ingredients
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ½ ounce white cranberry juice
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Rosemary sprig and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a rocks or highball glass, add ice, tequila, white cranberry juice, and lime juice.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a rosemary sprig and lime wheel.
Limeade Ranch Water
For those who are limeade fanatics (the club meets every third Thursday), then this riff on ranch water is heaven sent.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- 2 ounces limeade
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball or rocks glass, add ice, tequila, and limeade.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Crisp Cucumber Ranch Water
The ranch water is doubly refreshing and crisp with some muddled cucumber. Do you want to make that flavor even bigger since everything is bigger in Texas? Use a cucumber-infused tequila, too.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- 3-4 cucumber wheels
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Cucumber ribbon and lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber wheels with lime juice.
- Add ice and tequila.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Garnish with a cucumber ribbon and lime wheel.
Ranch Water Martini
No one gets fancied up like the Texans. You can imagine yourself at a larger-than-life-festivity with a ranch water martini in your hand.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ½ ounce lime juice
- ¼ ounce orange liqueur
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- Chill a martini glass or coupe.
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, lime juice, and orange liqueur.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain into the chilled glass.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Strawberry Ranch Water
Ranch water flashes its range with a juicy bursting berry riff. Whether you decide to use homegrown (okay, store-bought) strawberries is up to you.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce strawberry liqueur
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2-3 strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Lime slice and mint sprig for garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add ice, tequila, strawberry liqueur, lime juice, and fresh strawberries.
- Shake to chill.
- Strain over fresh ice into a highball glass.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with lime slice and mint sprig.
Watermelon Ranch Water
A splash of watermelon juice and your ranch water practically becomes a spa drink. #LaptopShutUntilTomorrow
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces tequila
- ¾ ounce watermelon juice
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- Ice
- Topo Chico to top off
- Lime wheel for garnish
Instructions
- In a highball glass, add ice, tequila, watermelon juice, and lime juice.
- Top off with Topo Chico.
- Stir briefly to mix.
- Garnish with a lime wheel.
Enjoy the Ranch Water Without The Work
You don't need to be a cowboy or farmer to enjoy a ranch water. You don't even need to be in Texas. Wrangle yourself some tequila, rope in some Topo Chico, and give that lime a squeeze. It's time to enjoy a Texas-sized flavorful cocktail.
