Skip to main content

We Think You’ll Need These Rickey Cocktails Tomorrow

rickey
Image used with permission by copyright holder
No matter what side of the aisle you fall on, tomorrow is inauguration day and we think you’ll need some drinks.

Perhaps in celebration, perhaps in utter sadness—either way, we’re not judging. We’re merely here to give you something to drink. On the occasion of a presidential inauguration, then, it seems fitting that we offer up these four versions of Washington D.C.’s official cocktail, the Rickey.

The Rickey dates back to the 1880s, where George A. Williamson of Shoomaker’s bar was said to have created the highball drink made with bourbon, carbonated water, and lime. After his original creation, some people added sugar. It is alleged that the name comes from Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey and the drink itself soared in popularity when, a few years later, it was remade with gin.

Now, with the history lesson out of the way, it’s time to get your drink on. All of the cocktails below were created at The Rickey in New York, made by all-star bartender Johnny Swet.

Colonel Joe Rickey

  • 2 oz Woodford Reserve Bourbon
  • .75 oz lime juice
  • .75 oz honey
  • Grilled Lime
  • Splash of Ginger ale
  • Honey cracked peppercorns

Method: Mix all ingredients together. Top with a grilled wedge of lime and four mint sprigs. Top with Ginger ale. Serve in a tall glass.

The Pomegranate Rickey

Method: Mix all ingredients together. Top with ice cube and lime wedge.

Pomegranate Ice Cube: Take an ice mold and fill with water, sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, and freeze. Use as a substitute for regular ice cubes.

The Cartel Rickey

  • 1.5 oz Sailor Jerry rum
  • 1.5 oz Fresh pineapple juice
  • .25 oz Agave
  • .25 oz Lime juice
  • 6 Colombian coffee beans
  • Coconut water (for ice cubes)

Method: Muddle three of the Colombian coffee beans. Add rum, pineapple juice, agave and lime juice. Shake and fine strain into rocks glass with the coconut water ice cube.

Coconut Water Ice Cube: take an ice mold and fill with coconut water, sprinkle with coffee beans, and freeze. Use as a substitute for regular ice cubes.

Gin Rickey at The Rickey

Method: Top with soda. Add Lime wedge.

Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter was the Food and Drink Editor for The Manual. Born and raised in New Jersey, he’s called the South home for…
Forget Hershey’s: Our chocolate sauce recipe is better, and takes 5 minutes to make
Seriously, stop buying chocolate sauce
melted dark chocolate flow, candy or chocolate preparation background

If you don't have kids in your house, it may have been a while since you last enjoyed a generous drizzling of sweet, indulgent chocolate sauce. Or maybe not. In addition to the childhood favorites, chocolate sauce (or, syrup) can also be the star of many adult-themed beverages and...activities. But however you enjoy this decadent sauce, we'll bet you didn't realize how easy it is to make for yourself. No sticky brown jug from Hershey's is required.

Chocolate sauce is the ketchup of the dessert world. Kids love it, adults love it (whether they admit it or not), and it makes anything better with just a little squeeze. Use it to amp up ice cream, magically create chocolate milk, turn it into a dip for your favorite fruits, or garnish cakes and brownies. We love to stir it into our iced coffees and chocolate-themed cocktails.

Read more
Whiskey upgrade: How to fat wash your favorite whiskey or bourbon to add new depths of flavor
Add flavor to whiskey or bourbon with fat-washing
Whiskey glass

If you pay attention to the cocktail or whiskey world, you’ve probably heard the term “fat-washed” at some point. You also might not have any idea what that means. You might assume you should, so you don’t want to ask anyone and seem foolish, right? It sounds like you’re washing whiskey with some kind of fat, whatever that means. If you think that, you’re on the right track. It is a technique to change the flavor of whiskey (and other spirits), but it has nothing to do with your kitchen sink, washing machine, dishwasher, or anything like that.

In the simplest terms, fat washing is a cocktail technique in which some form of fat (like bacon fat, butter, or some other fat) is added to room-temperature whiskey (like in a dish or sealable container, not a bottle). It sits on the counter for a few hours so the fat can separate from the spirit before being put into a refrigerator or freezer until the fat forms a solid crust on top. Scrap it off or strain it through cheesecloth and you have a buttery, fatty, flavorful whiskey to pour back into a bottle to use in your favorite cocktails. Sounds simple enough. To do it right requires a little bit more effort than that. There are steps that need to be taken.

Read more
Feeling rushed in the mornings? This is the best way to get great coffee
Custom coffee at-home without any special equipment? Yes, please.
Cup of coffee with beans on table

They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and while we tend to agree, the spread is nothing without some quality caffeine. Yet, we don't always have the energy or time to produce a solid cup. So, for those who live frantic a.m. lifestyles that barely make room for a sip of java -- let alone a bite of toast -- we have a solution, and its name is Frazy.

So, instead of dropping by Starbucks or dusting off that espresso machine (assuming you have one to begin with), try this convenient service instead. Created by baristas, the vials of coffee are customizable and require only water to create. One can decide on the strength of flavor and level of sweetness, along with dairy choice, and the resulting drink can take the form of either cold or hot coffee, along with a straight-up espresso shot.

Read more