Perfect to beat the humidity and heat, this one-time rancher staple has soared to popularity in recent years. While its composition is simple — just tequila, lime, and mineral water — by no means is this cocktail lacking in complexity. The über-effervescent water is the ideal partner for tequila, complementing its earthy, mineral notes while still allowing the spirit’s character to shine.
Some may be tempted to build this cocktail in a Collins glass. But Taylor Samuels, owner of Dallas’s Las Almas Rotas, prefers to enjoy Ranch Water exactly as those who inspired its recipe did. “It’s so easy to just open a bottle of Topo Chico, pour a little bit out, and then replace those ounces with tequila (or mezcal) and lime,” he says. “It literally was a way for ranchers to have a happy hour.”
Enjoy an authentic rancher happy hour using Samuels’ recipe below.
INGREDIENTS
- 12-ounce bottle of mineral water, chilled
- 1 ½ ounces blanco tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
DIRECTIONS
- Start by pouring out (or drinking) two ounces of the mineral water.
- Add the tequila then lime juice to the mineral water bottle.
