The Rum Rickey is a refreshing cocktail that combines the zesty tang of lime juice with the smooth warmth of rum. It's a perfect drink for a hot summer day or a casual evening with friends. The addition of soda water gives it a light, bubbly finish that makes it incredibly easy to sip and enjoy.
If you don't usually keep rum at home, you might need to pick up a bottle from the liquor store. Opt for a good quality white or light rum for the best flavor. Fresh lime juice is essential for this recipe, so make sure to grab a few limes from the produce section. Soda water is typically found in the beverage aisle, and it's important to use plain soda water to maintain the cocktail's intended taste.

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. Soda water: Carbonated water that adds a fizzy element to the cocktail. Lime: A slice of lime used as a garnish to enhance the presentation and add a hint of citrus aroma.
Technique Tip for This Cocktail
To enhance the flavor of your Rum Rickey, consider using a premium rum with a rich, complex profile. When squeezing the lime juice, roll the lime on the counter with your palm to release more juice. For an extra burst of citrus aroma, twist the lime slice over the drink before garnishing, releasing its essential oils.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
rum - Substitute with vodka: Vodka provides a neutral base that allows the other flavors to shine, similar to rum.
rum - Substitute with gin: Gin adds a botanical twist that complements the lime juice and soda water.
freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice offers a similar acidity and citrus flavor profile.
freshly squeezed lime juice - Substitute with grapefruit juice: Grapefruit juice provides a slightly bitter and tangy flavor that pairs well with the other ingredients.
soda water - Substitute with tonic water: Tonic water adds a slight bitterness and additional complexity to the cocktail.
soda water - Substitute with sparkling water: Sparkling water maintains the effervescence without altering the flavor profile significantly.
lime - Substitute with lemon: Lemon slices offer a similar visual appeal and citrus aroma for garnish.
lime - Substitute with orange: Orange slices provide a sweeter citrus note and a vibrant color for garnish.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Cocktail
How to Store or Freeze This Cocktail
To keep your Rum Rickey cocktail fresh, store the rum and lime juice separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. This ensures the flavors remain vibrant and the ingredients don't lose their potency.
For the lime juice, use a small glass jar or a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Freshly squeezed lime juice can last up to 2-3 days in the fridge.
Store the rum in a cool, dark place if it's unopened. Once opened, keep it tightly sealed and store it in the refrigerator to maintain its quality.
If you want to prepare the cocktail in advance, mix the rum and lime juice together and store the mixture in an airtight container in the fridge. This mixture can be kept for up to 24 hours.
When ready to serve, simply pour the pre-mixed rum and lime juice over ice, top with soda water, and garnish with a fresh lime slice.
For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the Rum Rickey cocktail as the soda water will lose its carbonation and the lime juice may become bitter. Instead, freeze the rum and lime juice mixture in ice cube trays. When ready to serve, simply add the frozen cubes to a glass, top with soda water, and garnish with a lime slice.
Always use fresh lime slices for garnish to maintain the cocktail's visual appeal and fresh taste. Store limes in the refrigerator to keep them fresh for up to a week.
How to Reheat Leftovers
- Pour the Rum Rickey cocktail into a small saucepan.
- Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until just warm. Avoid boiling to preserve the flavors.
- Alternatively, transfer the cocktail to a microwave-safe container.
- Microwave on low power in 10-second intervals, stirring in between, until the desired temperature is reached.
- Pour the warmed cocktail back into a highball glass.
- Add a splash of fresh soda water to revive the fizz.
- Garnish with a fresh lime slice and serve immediately.
Essential Tools for Making This Cocktail
Cocktail shaker: Used to mix the rum and lime juice with ice, ensuring they are well chilled and combined.
Ice: Essential for chilling the cocktail and ensuring it is served cold.
Highball glass: The serving glass for the Rum Rickey, typically tall and narrow, perfect for this type of cocktail.
Strainer: Used to strain the mixed ingredients from the cocktail shaker into the highball glass, keeping the ice in the shaker.
Bar spoon: Used to gently stir the soda water into the cocktail, ensuring it is well mixed without losing carbonation.
Knife: Necessary for cutting the lime to extract juice and to create a slice for garnish.
Cutting board: Provides a safe and stable surface for cutting the lime.
Time-Saving Tips for Making This Cocktail
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 hurry, opt for high-quality bottled lime juice instead of squeezing fresh limes.
Batch preparation: Make a larger batch of the cocktail mix and store it in the fridge for quick serving.
Pre-cut garnishes: Slice the lime for garnish in advance and keep them in an airtight container.
Chill the glass: Keep your highball glass in the freezer so it's ready to go when you need it.

Rum Rickey Cocktail Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 oz Rum
- 1 oz Lime juice freshly squeezed
- 4 oz Soda water
- 1 slice Lime for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a cocktail shaker with ice.
- Add the rum and lime juice to the shaker.
- Shake well and strain into a highball glass filled with ice.
- Top with soda water and stir gently.
- Garnish with a lime slice and serve.
Nutritional Value
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