If you're looking for a quick & easy refreshing zesty cocktail to make, this ranch water recipe is it. It's a cocktail that combines fresh lime juice, tequila Blanco, and topo chico mineral water to make one of the most delicious mixed drinks ever. And the best part is that it takes only 1 minute to make!
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The Best Ranch Water
If you've never heard of ranch water before, you might be wondering why it's even called ranch water. Well, the truth is that no one knows exactly how the cocktail got its name. It's actually a highly debated subject in West Texas.
One story says that a rancher in the 1960's discovered that the combination of sparkling mineral water, tequila Blanco, and a whole 'lotta lime juice made a perfectly balanced and lively cocktail - and he was the one who invented it. Another account is that it was invented at the Gage hotel - which was founded in 1927 and owned by a rancher. Lastly, there's a third story out there that claims it started at the bar and restaurant, Ranch 616.
No matter what story you believe though, over the years this cocktail has gained a reputation for being a simple yet sophisticated drinks that any tequila lover is guaranteed to enjoy.
Honestly though, even if you aren't a tequila fan, I think you'll love this ranch water recipe. It's just so bubbly, bright, and refreshing, and it kind of reminds me of a lighter version of a margarita.
Now, with that said, if you're looking for another elevated drink to serve alongside this ranch water, this green tea shot is an excellent choice! Or, if you want a drink for a crowd, you can make this holiday punch.
Ingredients
So, you'll only need 5 basic ingredients to make this ranch water recipe. And if you usually make alcoholic drinks at home, you probably already have everything you need!
Anyway, here are the ingredients to make ranch water:
- 3 oz. Tequila Blanco
- 1 oz. Lime Juice, fresh
- Topo Chico Sparkling Soda Water
- Lime Wedge
- Ice
Pretty great, right?
Now, the reason we're using mineral water in this recipe is that the minerality adds a complex flavor to the cocktail that's hard to replicate. That being said, any sparkling water will work fine if you're in a pinch.
Oh, and by the way, if you've got some leftover tequila you can use it to make this spicy margarita recipe next!
How To Make Ranch Water
As I mentioned earlier, it takes just 1 minute to make this ranch water! And, trust me, you don't have to be a bartender - or have any drink-making skills - to whip this cocktail up. Honestly, as far as easy cocktail recipes go, this ranch water cocktail has to be the easiest one out there.
Also, just so you know, this recipe for ranch water will make just one drink. So, if you want more, just double, triple, or quadruple the ingredients!
With all that said, let's stop wasting time and jump into how to make ranch water!
Step 1: Mix The Cocktail
First, begin by filling a highball glass with crushed ice. And the reason you'll want to do this is because this cocktail is typically served in a highball glass. However, if you're in a pinch, a simple mason jar - or really any one of your favorite cocktail glasses - will work fine for making it.
Then, once you've got the glass filled with crushed ice, you'll want to top it with the tequila and mineral water, and finish it off with the lime juice.
Now, after you've added those to the glass, you can give it a little mix until everything combines.
Step 2: Serving
Once your ranch water is made, you can finish it off with a lime wedge.
And, of course, if you want some more of this West Texas classic ranch water, just simply take out more glasses and repeat the process above.
Enjoy!
FAQs About This Ranch Water Recipe
Why do they call it ranch water?
Ranch water supposedly got it's name because the orginator of the drink was a rancher that liked to combine sparkiling mineral water with blanco tequila and lime juice. Today, this cocktail has gained a big reputation in classic Texas bars, such as the White Buffalo Bar located in the historic Gage Hotel and Ranch 616.
What is ranch water made of?
Ranch water is made with a combination of tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling mineral water. These ingredients seem simple, but they come together to create a really unique-tasting - and delicious - drink.
What kind of alcohol is in ranch water?
The kind of alcohol that is used to make ranch water is tequila, specifically white - blanco - tequila. With that said, you can really use any kind of tequila that you want - the drink will still be delicious!
Wrapping It Up
Well, that is how to make ranch water at home in just 1 minute!
By combining your best tequila with Topo chico and fresh lime juice, you get a bright and satisfying drink that is equally refreshing as it is satisfying. Not to mention, this is probably the simplest and easiest mixed drink you can make. The taste is anything but basic though.
Anyway, if you give this ranch water recipe a try, be sure to leave a comment down below and let us know how it went.
Also, for more easy to make drink recipes - just like this one - give us a follow on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
More Alcoholic Drink Recipes
If you're looking for some more delicious drink recipes, we have a ton on the blog that you have to try next!
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PrintThe BEST Ranch Water Made In 1 Minute
If you're looking for a quick & easy refreshing zesty cocktail to make, this ranch water recipe is it. It's a cocktail that combines fresh lime juice, tequila Blanco, and topo chico mineral water to make one of the most delicious mixed drinks ever. And the best part is that it takes only 1 minute to make!
- Prep Time: 1 minute
- Total Time: 1 minute
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Alcohol
Ingredients
3 oz. Tequila Blanco
1 oz. Lime Juice, fresh
Topo Chico Sparkling Soda Water
Lime Wedge
Ice
Instructions
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Top with tequila, lime juice, and topo chico mineral water.
- Give everything a mix until combined.
- Garnish with a lime wedge, and enjoy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 197
- Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 0
Keywords: ranch water, ranch water recipe, how to make ranch water, ranch water cocktail, ranch water tequila, ranch water recipe topo chico, ranch water recipe tequila, best ranch water recipe, easy ranch water recipe
Nora
Loved it. Honestly, I can't believe I've never heard of this before, but I def. will be making it again soon.
★★★★★