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Ranch Water is a light, refreshing tequila cocktail that originated in West Texas and has quickly gained popularity far beyond its desert roots. This tequila and soda cocktail is an ideal sip on hot days.
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Made with just three simple ingredients—tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling mineral water—this drink is beloved for its crisp, clean flavor and easy-drinking nature. It's a refreshing cocktail for hot summer days, sipping pool side, or after a long, hot day in the sun.
The origins of Ranch Water are a bit hazy, but the story goes that it was first concocted by ranchers in the 1960s looking for a no-fuss way to cool off. It has since spread to bars and backyards across the country.
Unlike heavier or overly sweet cocktails, Ranch Water stands out for its simplicity and thirst-quenching abilities, making it a go-to during warm weather or whenever you're in the mood for something unfussy but satisfying.
One of the best things about Ranch Water is how easy it is to make at home. With minimal ingredients and no fancy tools required, it's perfect for anyone who wants to craft a quick, crowd-pleasing cocktail without needing a full bar setup.
You can customize this easy cocktail to suit your taste—use blanco or reposado tequila, adjust the lime to your liking, or swap in flavored sparkling water for a twist. Whether you're hosting happy hours or just relaxing on the porch, Ranch Water is the kind of drink that invites you to slow down and enjoy the day.
What's in Ranch Water
- Silver Tequila - Blanco tequila or silver tequila is the classic - and most refreshing - choice for this cocktail. Swap it for your favorite reposado tequila, if you prefer.
- Lime - Fresh limes are an essential part of this cocktail, so don't skip them for bottled lime juice. You'll need about 1 lime per ranch water cocktail.
- Sparkling Mineral Water - Super bubbly Topo Chico is the brand choice for this drink, but any fizzy mineral water will work. Choose unflavored water for the classic drink or a flavored sparkling water for a twist.
How to Make Ranch Water (Step by Step)
Fill a highball glass to the top with ice cubes and pour in tequila and fresh lime juice.
Top with sparkling water.
Garnish with a lime wedge.
Stir, sip and enjoy!
Looking for More Tequila Cocktails?
I love using blanco tequila in cocktails. Try a classic Paloma grapefruit cocktail, a fruity Tequila Sunrise, or one of my many spins on a classic margarita, like this blueberry margarita, and my super popular coconut margarita.
Make It Your Own
Because of its simplicity, Ranch Water offers endless possibilities to make it your own. Muddle fresh ingredients in the glass (try strawberries or cucumber) before adding the drink’s ingredients. Change out the plain sparkling for a flavored mineral water, like mango, lime, or orange. Or use an infused tequila - try my grapefruit infused tequila - for another flavor twist.
Happy Hour Snack Pairings
Enjoy your Ranch Water with Mexican-inspired happy hour snacks. Whip up a batch of my 5 minute blender salsa, creamy bean dip, or black bean mango salsa. Serve any of them with homemade tortilla chips to really impress your guests.
Do I have to use Topo Chico?
The classic recipe for Ranch Water includes this Mexican sparkling mineral water. It comes in plain and flavored, as well as alcoholic hard seltzers, so make sure you’re purchasing it in the sparkling water section of your grocery store.
If you can’t find Topo Chico, you can use any brand of sparkling water you prefer, or even club soda. The idea is to add a large amount of cold, fizzy, water to the tequila and lime so anything that does that will work.
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Ranch Water Tequila Cocktail
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces blanco tequila silver tequila
- 1 ounce lime juice fresh squeezed
- 4 ounces sparkling mineral water typically Topo Chico
- Lime wedges garnish
Instructions
- Fill a tall glass or Collins glass to the top with ice cubes.
- Add tequila and fresh lime juice.1 ½ ounces blanco tequila, 1 ounce lime juice
- Top with sparkling water.4 ounces sparkling mineral water
- Garnish with a lime wedge.Lime wedges
- Stir, sip and enjoy!
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