The Gin Rickey is February 19th Drink of the Day!!

This is one of the classics that never go away and for good reason. To this day, I can’t think of a more refreshing, more quenching gin cocktail than this one. Stay away from the store bought lime juice when making this classic. Only the freshest lime juice will give you the flavor and aroma this cocktail was meant to offer. Any other way will be taking away the effect of a well balanced beverage.

Originally made with rye whiskey, “The Rickey” was created by bartender George Williamson at Shoomaker’s Bar in Washington D.C. in the 1880s. It was made for Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey who ordered the cocktail and told George what he wanted in it. Within the next decade, gin would become the favorite of the “Rickey” cocktails. Just like the “Collins” cocktails are known as any cocktail made with lemon and soda, Rickeys are made with lime juice and soda.

Though the original calls for the lime remnants to be dropped into the glass after you squeeze the juice out of it, I feel it takes way too much room in the glass, so I decided not to have this be part of the finished product. Other than that, you will have yourself one of the most popular pre-Prohibition cocktails ever made.

 

Gin Rickey

1 1/2 oz. Gin

1 oz. Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice

Soda Water

Wedge of Lime for Garnish

 

Method: In a collins glass filled with ice, pour in the gin to measure. Add the measured amount of freshly squeezed lime juice and top off the glass with soda water. Add a wedge of lime to the side of the glass.

 

This Day in History:

1878 - Thomas Edison patented the gramophone, (phonograph).

1945 - The US Marines went ashore at Iwo Jima.

1968 - The first nationwide broadcast of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood aired on PBS.

2008 - Fidel Castro resigned as President of Cuba after 49 years in power. His brother, Raul, succeeded him.

 

Notable Birthday:

Activist Karen Silkwood, known for her activist role in protecting workers in nuclear facilities, and was made famous in the movie “Silkwood”, was born on this date in 1946.

Notable Quote:

“I am continually fascinated at the difficulty intelligent people have in distinguishing what is controversial from what is merely offensive.” - Nora Ephron

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Tags: adult beverage, cocktail, drink of the day recipe, gin, how to make a gin rickey, lime juice, mixed drink, pre-prohibition cocktail, pre-prohibition drinks, shaun the bartender drink, soda water

Category: Bartending