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The Gin Rickey is a classic cocktail with an interesting history that has captured the imaginations of cocktail lovers for over a century. From its humble beginnings to iconic status, the Gin Rickey has not only left its mark on cocktail culture but also literary lore.
The story of the Gin Rickey begins in 1860 during the golden age of cocktails. It was the era of speakeasies, jazz music, and glamorous soirées, and cocktails were all the rage. Legend has it that the Gin Rickey was born in Washington, D.C., around the 1880s, named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a prominent lobbyist and bon vivant of the time, created by bartender George A. Williamson. Williamson worked at a bar called Shoomaker’s which was frequented by politicians and journalists and became one of Washington’s more infamous bars.
The original Gin Rickey was a simple concoction of gin, lime juice, and soda water, served over ice in a highball glass, refreshing and effervescent, it was perfect for cooling off after a long, hot day.
But it was the pages of The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald where the Gin Rickey achieved literary fame. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, The Great Gatsby is a story of love, longing, and excess, where cocktails are as iconic as characters like Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan.
In one memorable scene from the novel, Gatsby orders a round of Gin Rickeys for himself and his guests, signaling the opulence and decadence of the Jazz Age. The Gin Rickey becomes more than just a drink; it becomes a symbol of sophistication and style, synonymous with the glamorous world of the wealthy elite.
We have given this summertime favorite a new spin. We simply combined 135 East Hyōgo Dry Gin with Fever-Tree Sparkling Lime & Yuzu over ice and created an updated version of this classic that is refreshing, delicious, and … well… perfect!
Cheers!
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Yuzu Gin Rickey
Ingredients
- Ice
- 1½ ounces 135 East Hyōgo Dry Gin
- 4 ½ ounce Fever-Tree Sparkling Lime & Yuzu
- Lime wedges for garnish
- Lime leaves, , for garnish, optional
Instructions
- Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the gin and sparking lime & yuzu. Stir. Garnish with lime wedges and lime leaves if desired.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
