Ranch Water

By Naz Deravian

Updated Jan. 31, 2024

Ranch Water
Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Total Time
5 minutes
Prep Time
2 minutes
Cook Time
3 minutes
Rating
4(1,032)
Comments
Read comments

Bold, tart and fizzy, this mix of blanco tequila, lime juice and carbonated mineral water, is a refreshing thirst quencher that packs a punch. Use the amounts here as a guide, and pour to suit your taste buds. To take the edge off, add a little sweetener like simple syrup, or a touch of orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For an extra hit of flavor, rim the glass with chile-lime salt. While Topo Chico is synonymous with Texas ranch water, preferred for its highly effervescent bubbles, you can use other sparkling waters, too.  

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Ingredients

Yield:1 serving
  • 2ounces blanco tequila
  • 1ounce fresh lime juice, plus a lime wedge for serving
  • Carbonated mineral water, such as Topo Chico, as needed
Ingredient Substitution Guide
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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the tequila and the lime juice, then top it off with Topo Chico. Gently stir to mix. Serve with a lime wedge. Keep topping off with Topo Chico to dilute to your liking and extend the life of the drink.

Ratings

4 out of 5
1,032 user ratings
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Comments

MDT

My grandfather and father and uncles (there were lots of them) drank ranch water in the evenings on our family rancho in South Texas. Little sips as they hotly debated politics in rapid fire Spanish. Water, tequila, and lime. I don’t remember the women drinking it, except for my mother, a bit of a spitfire herself.

Amador Garza

In Southern Texas and Northern Mexico we call this drink carreta, or ranch wagon. It has been around for a long, long time. I prefer to pour the tequila in the glass first, then fill with ice, squeeze one whole lime into glass, grind some sea salt on the ice and then pour in the Topo Chico. The order of ingredients in the glass makes all the difference, e.g. Lessons in Chemistry from Apple TV. I prefet to use Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado than a white tequila.

Deb

No need to measure. Just open a cold bottle of Topo Chico, drink to just below the logo, add tequila to the top of the logo, pop in a lime wedge.

mrsjonesva

so simple yet so good! the only thing I did was follow the Texans suggestion and sprinkled some sea salt over the ice after pouring the tequila first, then ice, then lime juice. Topped it off with Topo Chico & WOW. Thought I would need a sweetener but nope! Refreshing and light. My new summer cool down. I used Casamigos Blanco. May try Reposado as that's my fave Tequila.

Peter

I discovered these this past year and have been using sweetened lime juice and whatever reposada tequila I have on hand. Love the suggestion of salt and other splashes of fruits. My go to summer drink. Has replaced my Mt. Gay rum and tonic!

Emily

Easy and delicious! I also made a non-alc version with Ritual Tequila!

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