Ranch Water

A spare, bone-dry Texan highball: blanco tequila and fresh lime lengthened with sparkling mineral water — traditionally Topo Chico — over ice. It drinks like a margarita stripped of its sweetness and sugar, all minerality and citrus snap. Lore credits parched West Texas ranchers of the 1960s, though its modern revival is often traced to Austin restaurateur Kevin Williamson around 1998.

RefreshingHighballClassic

Ingredients

  • 2 ozTequila Blanco
  • 0.75 ozLime Juice
  • Club Soda(chilled sparkling mineral water (Topo Chico), to top)

Garnish: Lime Wedge

Preparation

Built · Highball · Cubed

  1. 1.

    build

    Fill a highball glass with cubed ice and add the tequila blanco.

  2. 2.

    add

    Add the fresh lime juice.

  3. 3.

    top

    Top with chilled sparkling mineral water (Topo Chico) and give a gentle stir to combine.

  4. 4.

    garnish

    Garnish with a lime wedge.

Flavor Profile

citrus
39%
heat
27%
herbal
27%
sour
22%
spiced
21%
earthy
21%