Food and Recipes Drinks Cocktails Texas Ranch Water 4.3 (34) 31 Reviews Meet your new favorite summer cocktail, the ranch water. By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on April 9, 2024 Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen Recipe tested by Southern Living Test Kitchen The Southern Living Test Kitchen has been publishing recipes since 1970, four years after the first issue of Southern Living Magazine appeared on newsstands. The Southern Living Test Kitchen team includes a team of professionals with deep expertise in recipe development, from pastry chefs and grilling experts to nutritionists and dietitians. Together, the team tests and retests, produces, styles, and photographs thousands of recipes each year in the state-of-the-art test kitchen facility located in Birmingham, Alabama. Learn more about the Southern Living Test Kitchen Rate PRINT Share Hands On Time: 5 mins Total Time: 5 mins Servings: 1 The house cocktail of a hot, balmy Texas summer is Ranch Water. While Texans might disagree about where you'll find the best barbecue brisket or which Buc-ee's snack food is the best (the answer is Beaver Nuggets), we'd reckon that they'd almost all agree on the cocktail they want to drink when it's so hot you can slice the air. It's easy to customize Texas Ranch Water however you want, and feel free to skip any measuring altogether, relying on your eyeballs instead. We'll provide a ratio below that can get you started on a perfect basic Ranch Water, but here are a few of our favorite ways to tweak it: Add a splash of grapefruit juice, rim the glass with chile-lime salt, give it a dash of Grand Marnier, or muddle a couple jalapeño slices at the bottom. Learn how to make Ranch Water, and keep the Topo Chico chilled, You'll be pouring one of these up all summer long. Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Christina Brockman What Is Ranch Water? Texas Ranch Water is a simple, three-ingredient cocktail that is nearly impossible to mess up. Think of it as something like a skinny margarita, but even easier. And although the drink itself is unfussy as can be, the name is obscure enough to confuse the uninitiated. So why is it called Ranch Water? Eloise Bryan is the lead concierge at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas, where her White Buffalo Bar is frequently credited as originating the drink. "A bunch of people out here refer to it as the Ranch Water because cowboys are out there working hard all day, and they want good water, but they want it a little bit spiked," Bryan told The Washington Post in 2021 as Ranch Water's popularity was spreading wildly around the country. The Chilton Cocktail What Is Ranch Water Made Of? Ranch Water is easy to make with simple and readily available ingredients: blanco tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico. Blanco tequila: This unaged tequila has a bit more bite than the smoother reposado or añejo tequilas.Lime: Fresh lime juice is always best, but if going for store-bought, look for cold-pressed lime juice.Topo Chico: The classic version of this sparkling mineral water is best, but a pro move is to use Topo Chico's Hint of Lime or Hint of Grapefruit flavor. People who prefer a sugarier cocktail frequently add something to sweeten the drink, such as simple syrup or a liqueur like Grand Marnier. The drink is easily modified to individual taste—and that's part of its appeal. "There's really not hard details," Byran told The Post. "It's been such a popular drink for such a long time that everything gets a little fuzzy." Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman How To Make Ranch Water Making a ranch water couldn't be easier. Just keep in mind the ratio of two parts tequila and one part fresh lime juice as your general guideline. Here's a quick step by step: Step 1. Fill a glass with ice.Step 2. Add about three ounces (two shots) of blanco tequila and about an ounce and a half (a shot) of fresh lime juice.Step 3. Top with Topo Chico. Garnish with a fresh lime wedge on the rim of the glass. Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Can You Make a Big Batch of Ranch Waters? You sure can make ranch waters for a crowd, but you'll need to be strategic. Stir together the tequila and lime juice in a pitcher, but don't add the Topo Chico. Instead, pour out some of the liquor-lime juice mixture in a cup, then add the Topo Chico just before serving. Southern Living Community Tips There are as many variations on Ranch Water as there are fans of the refreshing, easy cocktail. Salt or tajin on the rim or inside the drink are popular additions. "Add a pinch or two of rock salt or something similar — very refreshing," community member Robert Solis advises. "By the way, I am from Texas and I own a ranch so I know a thing or two." Punching up the drink with some added spice is a popular modification, too. "Cowgirls, Try adding a couple of pickled jalapeno slices," suggests community member Cyoung27312. "Yee haw!" Editorial contributions by Alesandra Dubin. Ingredients 3 oz. blanco tequila, such as Espolon or Casamigos (about 2 shots) 1 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice (about 1 shot) Topo Chico, chilled Fresh lime wedge for garnish Directions Add ice to glass: Fill a rocks glass with ice—really, whatever glass you have on hand is fine. Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Add tequila and juice: Add tequila and fresh lime juice to glass with ice. Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Add sparkling water: Top with Topo Chico. Add fresh lime wedge to the rim of the glass. Enjoy! Fred Hardy II; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Props Stylist: Christina Brockman Test Kitchen Tip The amounts of tequila and lime juice can be halved to fit a smaller cocktail glass or to be less boozy in general. Just use a ratio of two parts tequila to one part fresh lime juice. Frequently Asked Questions What's the best tequila for ranch water? The best tequila to use in Ranch Water is a blanco (or silver) variety, such as Espolon or Casamigos. As the name implies, this type of tequila is clear, mild, and, well, most like water. But people who prefer more of a tequila-y flavor might also choose to use mezcal or even reposado. These tequilas are aged longer and have a stronger flavor. Is Topo Chico required for ranch water? Yes, some people—especially Texans—will say that Topo Chico is a nonnegotiable in a Ranch Water recipe. That's because the sparkling water packs an extra-bubbly punch that adds sparkle to every sip. But is it critical? Technically no. Remember, the breezy nature of the drink means that anything goes. What glassware should you use for ranch water? You might make your Ranch Water in a highball glass. But it's not critical; use whatever glass you have on hand. Rate It Print Additional reporting by Alesandra Dubin