Ranch Water Drink Recipe

Howdy! Today, we’re talking about the Ranch Water, a refreshing drink mostly associated with West Texas. Although this tequila cocktail has long been held as a (somewhat secret) regional treasure– to the point where it’s often referred to as West Texas Ranch Water– it’s become a more popular drink in recent years, even outside the Lone Star State.

Known for its crisp and zesty taste, this drink offers a delightful simplicity that makes it the perfect cocktail on the hottest of days.

 

 

Ranch Water Cocktail History

Although the actual origin is unknown, Ranch Water sure found its roots in the heart of West Texas. Legend has it that ranchers mixed tequila with sparkling mineral water and a splash of lime to quench their thirst after long days under the Texan sun… but who knows if this is actually true or not?

Although there’s no known record of this Texas-style tequila highball cocktail being created by anyone in particular, there are many references (including on Wikipedia) to Ranch 616 owner Kevin Williamson creating his own version in his Austin, Texas establishment circa 1999.

 

 

The chef & restaurant owner’s version is a classic Margarita served with a glass bottle of Topo Chico on the side, so you can add effervescent bubbles till your heart’s content (or not). Williamson maintains that he’s the creator of the drink and apparently even wants to copyright the name. (I’ve checked, and there is no legal, finalized copyright at the time of publish.)

Williamson also brought his version of this bubbly drink recipe– which includes orange liqueur like Cointreau, despite this not being a traditional ingredient–  to the Gage Hotel’s White Buffalo Bar in Marathon, Texas in 2010. However, there is evidence to suggest that the simpler variation (without Cointreau) has been around West Texas much longer in an informal capacity.

 

 

Ranch Water Ingredient Breakdown

This unofficial drink of West Texas is kind of as if a Tom Collins married a skinny Margarita. Being that Texas is so darn close to Mexico, it makes sense that this refreshing cocktail uses blanco tequila (also known as silver tequila or white tequila, just FYI for your liquor store search purposes). Technically, we’re calling this a highball cocktail; you can read more about cocktail families here.

It’s easy to see what this refreshing drink is sometimes (lovingly?) referred to as a lazy Margarita or an adaptation of a skinny Margarita.

Otherwise, the classic Ranch Water has incredibly simple ingredients and takes practically no prep time; it brings the perfect blend of tequila and lime flavors without being too strong, making it a nice, light drink of choice for ranchers, diners, and party-goers alike.

 

 

Here’s the simple breakdown:

• Tequila: The backbone of this drink, tequila blanco delivers distinct earthy undertones from blue agave. Being only a 3-ingredient cocktail, there isn’t a lot for the spirit to hide behind, so make sure to grab a quality tequila. It doesn’t have to be top shelf, but don’t buy the cheapest, either. (For other tequila cocktails and to learn more about the spirit, check out this article.)
• Fresh Lime Juice: Fresh-squeezed lime juice balances the tequila’s richness with a tangy twist. Don’t use bottled lime juice; its just not the same.
• Topo Chico or Sparkling Water: The effervescence and mineral quality tone down the tequila flavor, making this simple cocktail extremely delightful on a hot summer day. While you can use any carbonated mineral water, Topo Chico is certainly traditional.

 

 

How to Make the Ultimate Ranch Water Cocktail

Creating a Ranch Water is as easy as riding a horse on a wide-open plain (OK, way, way easier, in my opinion– but then again, I’m not so great on a horse). Grab your favorite tall glass, fill it with ice, pour in tequila, squeeze some lime, and top it off with unflavored mineral water. Give it a stir, and voilà!

Check out the video to see Chris make this bubbly cocktail, and watch till the end for his own take:

 

Variations of the Ranch Water

Feel like wrangling some variations? Try infusing the tequila with jalapeños for a spicy kick or adding grapefruit for a tangy twist. The beauty of Ranch Water lies in its simplicity, leaving plenty of room for experimentation. Here are some of our favorite alternatives:

• Reposado or Aged Tequila: If you want a richer, more complex cocktail, play with the types of tequila you use.
• Spicy Ranch Water: For a spicy option, muddle some jalapeño slices before pouring the ingredients.
• With Cointreau: Try the Ranch 616 version with orange liqueur (more like a watered-down Margarita).
• Flavored Ranch Water: Instead of unflavored Topo Chico, use a flavored soda water of your choice.
• Berry Ranch Water: Muddle fresh fruit before mixing your drink for brighter, more vibrant flavors.
• Sweet Ranch Water: Have a sweet tooth? Try your drink with simple syrup or a hint of agave syrup to balance the acidic lime juice.
• Grapefruit Ranch Water: If you add grapefruit juice or sub the carbonated water for grapefruit soda, you’ll have a Paloma cocktail instead!
• Smoke on the Ranch: Instead of tequila, use smoky mezcal for added complexity.
• Canned Ranch Water: Want to take a taste of the ranch to your next party? Plenty of hard seltzer companies– including Topo Chico– make a canned version of Ranch Water. Although I’m not sure most of them can actually say it’s a Ranch Water cocktail if they use malt liquor instead of tequila; in fact, there are lawsuits against companies for false advertising. Still, this is an easy alcoholic option on-the-go.

 

 

Our Version of Ranch Water with Gin

Chris & Rob used this cocktail’s basic structure to come up with their own version, kind of a like a Gin & Tonic but with a little more complexity (and no tonic, which is great news if you’re not a fan… which I, personally, am not).

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 ounces Gin
• 1/4 ounce Luxardo Maraschino Liqueur
• 3/4 ounce Fresh Lime Juice
• 4-6 ounces Mineral Water

DIRECTIONS:

Build in a tall cocktail glass over ice. Stir to mix, and add a slice of lime for garnish.

 

 

Let’s Take It to the Ranch

Whether you’re enjoying a backyard barbecue or simply need a summer sipper, this refreshing tequila cocktail brings the taste of the West right to your glass, now matter where you live. Give it a try, and let us know what you think in the comments below!