Raspberry Lime Rickey

Here’s a bubbly, refreshing drink that’s great for entertaining…or anytime you need a treat. Try the Raspberry Lime Rickey! It’s one in a family of mocktails called the rickey, a highball drink with soda water and lime juice. It was first invented with gin, but it’s become a popular mocktail because the flavors work so well together. Add sweet raspberry syrup to a lime rickey and you’ve a new and improved version of it! The berry plus lime formula has the perfect sweet tart flavor and bubbly texture. We are 100% obsessed with this one over here (and the cherry lime rickey, too).

What’s a raspberry lime rickey?

The rickey has a long history as a drink! It was first invented as the Gin Rickey in the 1890’s, made with gin, soda water and lime juice. (Well, technically before that it started with bourbon in the 1880’s!) The drink rose to worldwide popularity, and is even mentioned in books like the 1920’s novel Great Gatsby. The Lime Rickey is a mocktail spin that loses the gin, though some people slip gin into any rickey recipe (including us!). Either way you make it, it’s delicious! We like making a mocktail as a kiddie cocktail for our 4-year-old, and then the gin version for us. Here’s what you need:

Fresh lime juiceRaspberry syrupSoda waterGin (optional)Fresh raspberries and lime wedges, for the garnish

Make the homemade raspberry syrup (or opt for purchased)

The syrup that brings the berry flavor to this raspberry lime rickey is very easy to make at home! It might sound hard, but just a few minutes of hands on time. Of course, you can opt for purchased raspberry syrup too. Here’s what to know!

Make this homemade raspberry syrup! It takes just ½ cup of raspberries and 10 minutes of hands on time. We highly recommend it! It’s also great in other raspberry cocktails, like the Raspberry Martini, Floradora and Clover Club. You can also use it on waffles or pancakes!Want a shortcut? Opt for purchased raspberry syrup. Grab a bottle at your local liquor store or online. Brands to look for are Monin or Torani.

What’s soda water? Is it the same as tonic water?

Soda water is not the same as tonic water: and it’s essential to a rickey! Here’s the difference between the two:

Soda water, aka sparkling water or seltzer, is carbonated water with no additives (opt for plain, since sometimes flavors or sugars can be added). We use our SodaStream to make soda water for drinks, and just for drinking. Tonic water is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar. It will make a noticeably different flavor in this drink since it’s sweeter and has a bitter finish.

Tips for how to make a raspberry lime rickey

The raspberry lime rickey is about as simple as it gets! Like many highball cocktails, you can build it right in the glass: no cocktail shaker required. It’s as simple as mixing the lime juice and syrup, then topping off with soda water. But how to make it really stand out?

Use clear ice. Clear ice is crystal clear, artisan style ice that you can make at home and cut into large blocks. It makes it look like a drink from a fancy bar! It also chills the drink and makes it Don’t skimp on garnishes. The fun part about this drink is having at least 3 Maraschino cherries in your glass.Add a festive straw if you like! We used these striped paper straws.

More mocktails

Love mixing up non-alcoholic drinks? They’re totally customizable, and in most cases they have an alcoholic cocktail counterpart. Here are some favorites:

Try the Virgin Margarita or the Classic Margarita with tequilaGrab a Virgin Bloody Mary or the Classic Bloody Mary with vodka Opt for fruity Virgin Piña Colada or the Classic Piña Colada with rumGo minty with a Mojito Mocktail or grab the Classic Mojito with rum