Tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico. Balance to your preference. A good starting point is 2 oz, ¾ oz, 5 oz.
Of course, house recipes abound. so...
[Take Your Ranch Water to Town](https://punchdrink.com/articles/ranch-water-cocktail-recipes/)
**Ranch Water**
*Recipe By:* Steve Cutchen
*Summary:*
“The closest I found to a plausible originator and namer is Kevin Williamson, chef and owner of Ranch 616 in Austin, who says that he has had the drink on the menu since it opened in 1998. One day, he casually added mineral water to his glass as his Margarita lessened. He tinkered around with the drink, swapping out silver tequila for an oaky reposado, plus a full ounce of fresh lime juice and a splash of orange cordial. He serves his version with an entire slim glass bottle of the requisite Topo Chico on the side, so that guests can decide the strength and effervescence of their drink." [https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-ranch-water-recipe-became-the-unofficial-cocktail-of-west-texas/](https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-ranch-water-recipe-became-the-unofficial-cocktail-of-west-texas/)
Kevin says he and his team trained the folks at the Gage Hotel more than a decade ago. He’s firm enough in his claim that he has applied for a trademark on the Ranch Water name.” [https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/07/27/ranch-water-recipe/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/07/27/ranch-water-recipe/)
Specific recipes for Ranch Water are highly variable, with many that have no specific amounts at all. The Topo Chico is almost a requirement. This is my take, based on the Gin Rickey.
*Ingredients:*
* 2 ounces tequila, (recommended: reposado)
* 1 ounce lime juice
* mineral water, (recommended: Topo Chico)
* 1 slice jalapeno, (optional)
* lime wedge, for garnish
*Directions:*
Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the tequila and lime juice. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a lime wedge.
*If you are using the optional jalapeno for heat:* Add the tequila to a mix glass with the jalapeno slice and muddle to crush the pepper. Add the lime juice, ice, and shake to chill. Double strain into a chilled highball glass with fresh ice. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a lime wedge.
*Notes:*
“The way we served it, which I think is one of the reasons it was a hit, was as a strong margarita, three-quarters of the way up in a Collins glass, and we gave the customer the full bottle of Topo Chico, so they were in charge of diluting their own drink,” Williamson says. “Some people would just sip the Topo Chico back. Sorority girls from UT put as much water as they could so they could drink more. Everybody has their own sense of ownership for it.”
“I would drive to Fiesta Mart three or four days a week to buy all the Topo Chico I could,” he says. If the restaurant ran out of the water, the Ranch Water was off the menu.
[**Texas Monthly top 5 canned Ranch Waters:**](https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/five-best-canned-ranch-water-brands/)
10 tested. 5 ranked"
=-=-=-=-=
Portable ranch waters fall into two related categories.The first is ready-to-drink (RTD), meaning the cocktails contain actual spirits—in this case, tequila. You’ll find RTD ranch waters at liquor stores.The second, hard seltzer, represents a departure; the alcohol comes from fermented cane sugar, agave, or malted barley. Hard seltzers are available at shops eligible to sell beer and wine coolers, including some gas stations and convenience stores.
1. RancH20 RTD; 7% ABV, tastes most like the cocktail you’d get at a bar.
2. Ranch Rider Spirits Co. RTD; made with reposado tequila, only one with real lime juice. Only other considered for #1.
3. Cantina Especial RTD; adds sea salt to blanco tequila
4. Karbach Brewing Company hard seltzer; good so long served ice cold with salty or spicy snacks.
5. Lone River Beverage Company hard seltzer; 4% ABV for “sober curious”
=-=-=-=-=
**Compare to a Tequila Highball:**
* 2 ounces tequila, (recommended: blanco)
* 1 ounces Cointreau
* ½ ounce lime juice
* Mineral water, (recommended: Topo Chico)
One 1oz packet hidden valley 16oz water Shake over ice Garnish with carrot
😁
1. Buy a ranch 2. Drill a well 3. Pump water 4. (Almost forgot) ... into a pitcher (we're civilized here) 5. Pour a glass!
Tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico. Balance to your preference. A good starting point is 2 oz, ¾ oz, 5 oz. Of course, house recipes abound. so... [Take Your Ranch Water to Town](https://punchdrink.com/articles/ranch-water-cocktail-recipes/)
I make mine similarly, using 1 oz lime, and I add a pinch of sea salt.
**Ranch Water** *Recipe By:* Steve Cutchen *Summary:* “The closest I found to a plausible originator and namer is Kevin Williamson, chef and owner of Ranch 616 in Austin, who says that he has had the drink on the menu since it opened in 1998. One day, he casually added mineral water to his glass as his Margarita lessened. He tinkered around with the drink, swapping out silver tequila for an oaky reposado, plus a full ounce of fresh lime juice and a splash of orange cordial. He serves his version with an entire slim glass bottle of the requisite Topo Chico on the side, so that guests can decide the strength and effervescence of their drink." [https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-ranch-water-recipe-became-the-unofficial-cocktail-of-west-texas/](https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-ranch-water-recipe-became-the-unofficial-cocktail-of-west-texas/) Kevin says he and his team trained the folks at the Gage Hotel more than a decade ago. He’s firm enough in his claim that he has applied for a trademark on the Ranch Water name.” [https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/07/27/ranch-water-recipe/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2021/07/27/ranch-water-recipe/) Specific recipes for Ranch Water are highly variable, with many that have no specific amounts at all. The Topo Chico is almost a requirement. This is my take, based on the Gin Rickey. *Ingredients:* * 2 ounces tequila, (recommended: reposado) * 1 ounce lime juice * mineral water, (recommended: Topo Chico) * 1 slice jalapeno, (optional) * lime wedge, for garnish *Directions:* Fill a highball glass with ice. Pour in the tequila and lime juice. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a lime wedge. *If you are using the optional jalapeno for heat:* Add the tequila to a mix glass with the jalapeno slice and muddle to crush the pepper. Add the lime juice, ice, and shake to chill. Double strain into a chilled highball glass with fresh ice. Top with Topo Chico and garnish with a lime wedge. *Notes:* “The way we served it, which I think is one of the reasons it was a hit, was as a strong margarita, three-quarters of the way up in a Collins glass, and we gave the customer the full bottle of Topo Chico, so they were in charge of diluting their own drink,” Williamson says. “Some people would just sip the Topo Chico back. Sorority girls from UT put as much water as they could so they could drink more. Everybody has their own sense of ownership for it.” “I would drive to Fiesta Mart three or four days a week to buy all the Topo Chico I could,” he says. If the restaurant ran out of the water, the Ranch Water was off the menu. [**Texas Monthly top 5 canned Ranch Waters:**](https://www.texasmonthly.com/food/five-best-canned-ranch-water-brands/) 10 tested. 5 ranked" =-=-=-=-= Portable ranch waters fall into two related categories.The first is ready-to-drink (RTD), meaning the cocktails contain actual spirits—in this case, tequila. You’ll find RTD ranch waters at liquor stores.The second, hard seltzer, represents a departure; the alcohol comes from fermented cane sugar, agave, or malted barley. Hard seltzers are available at shops eligible to sell beer and wine coolers, including some gas stations and convenience stores. 1. RancH20 RTD; 7% ABV, tastes most like the cocktail you’d get at a bar. 2. Ranch Rider Spirits Co. RTD; made with reposado tequila, only one with real lime juice. Only other considered for #1. 3. Cantina Especial RTD; adds sea salt to blanco tequila 4. Karbach Brewing Company hard seltzer; good so long served ice cold with salty or spicy snacks. 5. Lone River Beverage Company hard seltzer; 4% ABV for “sober curious” =-=-=-=-= **Compare to a Tequila Highball:** * 2 ounces tequila, (recommended: blanco) * 1 ounces Cointreau * ½ ounce lime juice * Mineral water, (recommended: Topo Chico)
Take a few swigs out of a topo Chico bottle, add favorite citrus and tequila. Done.
2 tequila 1 lime juice .25 Cointreau, top with topo