The Rickey is April 10th Drink of the Day!!

Branch Rickey will best be remembered as the man who, against everyone else’s wishes, took it upon himself to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball when he signed Jackie Robinson in 1947 while he was President of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Though it would have happened eventually, who knows how long it would’ve taken had he not taken that first step.

Some other things that Mr. Rickey was involved in: He was the first to sign a Hispanic superstar (Roberto Clemente), he had a hand in building the framework on the current Minor League System, and of being the first to introduce batting helmets to the game.

As great an executive he was in baseball, he was just as bad as a player. He holds the all-time record for being stolen upon as a catcher, when in one game thirteen people stole a base. Shortly after this game, he retired as a player.

To commemorate this great man, not only for the game of baseball but for society itself, I’d like to honor him by introducing to you a drink with the same namesake. The Rickey was invented by bartender James A. Williamson at Shoomaker’s Bar in Washington D.C. in the 1880s. He made it one morning for Col. Joe Rickey who wanted a little more than his usuall bourbon with ice. Today, the Gin Rickey is a more popular call at bars. However, I would like to introduce the original. If you’d like to replace the bourbon with the gin, have at it. However, you will then need to add 1/2 oz. of simple syrup to finish it off.

The Rickey
2 oz. Bourbon Whiskey
Juice of 1/2 Lime
Sparkling Water

Method: In a highball glass with ice, add the bourbon, then squeeze a half lime into the glass and drop in. Stir the bourbon and lime juice in the ice, then top off with sparkling water.

This day in history:
1790 - The US patent system was formed.
1849 - The Safety Pin was patented by Walter Hunt in New York.
1947 - Branch Rickey announced the signing of Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
1970 - Paul McCartney announced the official break-up of The Beatles.

Notable Birthday:
Joseph Pulitzer, publisher who left a fund to award writers of literature and music, was born on this day in 1847.

Notable Quote:
“It’s not the honor that you take with you, but the heritage you leave behind.” Branch Rickey

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Tags: Bourbon Drinks, branch rickey quote, drink of the day april 10, gin drinks, how to make a rickey cocktail, joseph pulitzer's birthday, paul mccartney, safety pin, shaun the bartender drinks, us patent system, whiskey drinks

Category: Drink of the Day