The Black Cherry Gin Rickey: Untwisting the Classic

I love simple, classic cocktails. Those that are not too sweet and have a healthy dose of citrus, usually lime. But I also like to mix things up, especially in the summer when it starts getting more humid and I crave something cold and refreshing.  The Gin Rickey is a classic cocktail typically made with gin, lime, and club soda or carbonated water. It’s the basis for all the cocktail flavors I love, so it’s a good jumping off point for a new summer cocktail. Looking for inspiration in the natural foods section of my supermarket, I recently spotted black cherry juice, and the Black Cherry Gin Rickey was conceived.

It’s super simple to make. You can watch just how I did it here:

Who Was Rickey Anyway?

The Rickey was invented around 1883 in a Washington D.C. bar called Shoo’s. Colonel Joseph Rickey is believed to have instructed the bartender how to craft the drink, which was made with Shoomaker’s house rye whiskey.  The cocktail quickly became popular and accounts of the 1894 Democratic National Convention describe whiskey, brandy, gin, and other varieties of the drink being consumed. You can read more about Rickey and his namesake over at Imbibe. 

Lime, Lime, and More Lime

As you know by now, I love lime, so in addition to fresh lime juice, I topped off my Rickey with lime flavored carbonated water. I typically use the Trader Joe’s brand. It’s perfect for summer cocktails.

Cheers to Summer!