Gin Rickey

The Gin Rickey substitutes gin for the bourbon used in the original Joe Rickey, combining gin with grenadine, fresh lemon or lime juice, and club soda in a tall glass over ice. The gin's botanical character — particularly its juniper and citrus notes — creates a more aromatic and complex Rickey compared to the bourbon version, making it a popular summer cocktail in its own right.

The Rickey was created in Washington D.C. in the 1880s and named after lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey, who is said to have favored whiskey, lime juice, and carbonated water at Shoomaker's bar. The Gin Rickey became perhaps the most popular variant, and F. Scott Fitzgerald famously featured gin rickeys in The Great Gatsby, cementing the drink's association with 1920s American culture and the Jazz Age.

The Gin Rickey is built directly in a highball glass over ice — pour the gin and grenadine first, add the lemon or lime juice, then top with club soda and stir gently. A wedge or wheel of lime is the classic garnish, and some recipes add a few dashes of bitters for additional complexity. The drink should be made to order and consumed quickly while the carbonation is at its peak.