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Ah, Ranch water! If you’ve never heard of it, Ranch Water is the popular Texan drink to sip on in the summer heat. No, there is not ranch dressing in it!! Come on, now! That would be disgusting. It’s referring to an actual ranch, you know–with cattle and wide-open spaces.
This drink doesn’t really require a recipe; in fact, if you’re from Texas you might be reading this post and thinking– why is she making a blog post about this? Well, it’s to enlighten the folks outside of our great State and have a place where they can turn to on the blog to remind them what goes into this simple cocktail.
When I say it’s simple– it’s really freaking simple. Here is all you need:
- lots of ice
- tequila
- lots of lime juice
- topo chico
The type of tequila you use is up to you. But the Topo Chico is a non-negotiable here. The excessively bubbly topo chico mineral water is what makes the drink– and no other sparkling water works here. It’s just not bubbly enough and does not do the trick. Plus, Texans get feisty about Topo Chico here. You know, it’s kinda like that time I went to San Francisco and called it San Fran. Boy, did I get some hate messages in my inbox from Californians. haha, OOPS! Same here, don’t call it ranch water and top it off with a San Pellegrino or tonic water. Texans will come and find you.
I digress. So– here is the thing. The lime to tequila ratio is up to you and once you make my rendition of Ranch Water, you can adjust it to your taste buds. For me it’s 2 parts tequila-1 part lime-top it off with Topo Chico. My Mother-in-Law would say equal parts tequila and lime, top it off with a topo chico. You do you… well, do you except you better use Topo Chico. ha! Sometimes I add a little side rim of tajin seasoning salt or just a little salt. You can fancy it up if you want. This is just the basic essentials here.
Alrighty, then. Happy sipping! Let the Ranch Water love spread across the nation. Cheers!
Also– if you want a delicious canned cocktail, I am a proud investor in Ranch Rider Spirits! Cheers!!!
Ranch Water
Ingredients
- 3 ounces good tequila (that's a double shot, or 2 "jiggers" full)
- 1.5 ounces fresh lime juice (that's 1 shot, or 1 "jigger" full)
- topo chico
Instructions
- Fill a lowball glass with ice. Add the tequila, the lime, then finish it off with topo chico. Stir it up, or just give it a little shimmy shake. Sip. enjoy!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I’m struggling to find Topo this summer! None of our grocery stores in TN have it anymore. What would you use instead?
I’ve had trouble finding it too! I’ve been using Richard’s Rainwater when I am unable to find, not quite the same but works.
Topo is a sparkling mineral water. So an alternative brand would work.
Love love love Ranch Rider Jalapeño!!! It’s my new go to- however going to make this for a crowd (with added jalapeños of course). What brand/kind of tequila do you recommend? Reposado? Thx!
I love LALO Tequila!
Darn- we don’t have LALO in Charleston, SC yet- have a second fav?
Loved this recipe! Alex – how would you suggest I make these in batch? Looking to have them at a party. 🙂
I would just make the tequila/lime mixture in a carafe– and people can pour that halfway up their glass, and finish with topo chico (so the topo chico stays bubbly).
I never heard of this until I saw your stories in the last year about it. I’m making it again tonight for NYE 2022 and absolutely love it. Thanks for sharing!
Made this the other night for my husband and I with the Topo Chico with a twist of grapefruit. BIG fan! So good! Would you say a blanco tequila is the best for this recipe?
That’s a Paloma, not a Ranch Water
A Paloma typically has grapefruit in it (at least in Texas!) but yes, very similar!
You may be confused by the topo, In the Paloma; Squirt or Grapefruit &Topo is used.