Ranch Water Cocktail Recipe

In a state the place the whole lot is supposedly greater, the unofficial cocktail is surprisingly subdued: West Texas favourite Ranch Water is a straightforward mixture of blanco tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico glowing water.

Legends of its origins abound. One story alleges a Sixties wild-haired rancher invented the drink, which prompted him to observe the celebrities all the way in which from Fort Davis to Marathon earlier than falling asleep underneath a piñon tree. One other concept is extra probably: The thirst-quenching concoction was a makeshift completely satisfied hour particular of West Texas ranchers, who would take a swig of Topo Chico earlier than including a shot of tequila and squeeze of lime.

For a lot of Ranch Water adherents, the usage of Topo Chico is non-negotiable. Now owned by Coca-Cola, the Mexico-born glowing water dates to 1895 and has a fragile effervescence and distinctly minerally flavors.

Ranch 616 in Austin claims honors for the drink’s evocative identify. In response to late chef-owner Kevin Williamson, he put Ranch Water on the bar’s opening menu in 1998, and he was assured sufficient in his story that he even utilized for a trademark. Williamson additionally instructed The Washington Submit that he educated workers of the legendary Gage Resort’s White Buffalo Bar, the place the drink made its official menu debut in 2010.

The once-niche Ranch Water has discovered mainstream success: Nationwide chain eating places together with On the Border and Buffalo Wild Wings have added variations of Ranch Water to their menus, and lots of firms have developed canned onerous seltzer variations, together with Dos Equis, Lone River, and even Topo Chico. It’s value noting that many of those seltzers make use of malt liquor somewhat than tequila. Fortunately, it’s simple to make the true factor by yourself with the three-ingredient recipe beneath. Choose in your favourite blanco tequila; if you would like a sweeter drink, you possibly can add a splash of orange liqueur resembling Cointreau or Grand Marnier. Should you don’t have Topo Chico available, you possibly can definitely swap in one other glowing mineral water and even membership soda—simply don’t inform a Texan. 

Whether or not or not you’re employed on a ranch, the refreshing drink certainly goes down similar to water.