• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Meet Kelly
  • Browse All Recipes
  • Contact

The Anthony Kitchen logo

  • Recipe Index
  • Dinner Ideas
  • Dessert
  • Entertaining
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • Contact
  • Stay in touch...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home · Recipes · Cocktails · Ranch Water

    May 5, 2020

    Ranch Water

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Image For Pinterest
    Image For Pinterest
    Image For Pinterest
    Image For Pinterest
    Image For Pinterest
    Image for PInterest
    Image for PInterest
    Image for PInterest

    If you've ever spent a brutally hot summer day in the great state of Texas, you fully understand the drive that lies behind creating a beat-the-heat, thirst-quenching cocktail. And, it's for this reason, the Ranch Water is officially the unofficial cocktail of Texas.

    This tequila cocktail is light, easy to sip on, and over-the-top refreshing thanks to fresh lime juice and the excessive bubbliness of Topo Chico. Consisting of only three simple ingredients, it's both easy to whip up and so very fun to sip on. It's perfect for a newbie mixologist and a sure-fire hit for summertime sipping!

    Ranch Water Cocktail in a glass with ice, limes, and topo chico.

    Looking for more cocktails to cool off with? Add our Watermelon Margaritas and frosty Peach Daiquiris to your must-make list!

    HOW TO MAKE A RANCH WATER COCKTAIL

    1. Fill a glass to the top with ice.
    2. Add tequila.
    3. Squeeze in fresh lime juice.
    4. Fill to the top with Topo Chico, serve, and enjoy!

    A Ranch Water Cocktail in a short glass with a bottle of tequila, lime wedges, and topo chico behind it.

    INGREDIENTS

    • Silver Tequila
    • Topo Chico
    • Lime Juice

    THE TEQUILA

    When it comes to a Ranch Water Cocktail, consider pulling from the top shelf. Because this is a straight-shooting cocktail without a lot of fluff, you're going to taste the tequila more than you would in, let say, a margarita. A good silver tequila will do the trick -- Herradura, Cabo Wabo, Patron, and Cazadores are all great tequila options.

    HOW MUCH TEQUILA DO YOU USE?

    How much tequila goes into a Ranch Water really depends on two things:

    • The size of your glass. 
    • And, how much do you really like the taste of tequila?

    If you are using a tall glass (i.e. a collins glass), you can get away with using 1 ½-ounce to 2-ounces of tequila per cocktail. If you are using a short glass (i.e. a rocks glass), stick with 1-ounce to 1 ½-ounce pour per cocktail. 

    If you aren't a tequila connoisseur and don't particularly get pumped over the taste of it, use the lower end of those measurements. So, that means you would use 1 ½-ounce of tequila if you were drinking out of a tall glass or 1-ounce in a short glass. 

    TOPO CHICO IS A MUST IN A RANCH WATER

    Let it be known -- not all sparkling waters were created equal, and a Ranch Water Cocktail must be made with Topo Chico. Consider it essential. 

    This sparkling water originated in Monterrey, Mexico in 1895, eventually made its way into Texas, and us Texans have been obsessed ever since. It soared into popularity after being purchased by the Coca-Cola Company and is now available in many states across the U.S.

    Topo Chico is different -- it is mineral water, which means it has more flavor than most other sparkling waters thanks to its salt content. Not the mention the bubbles. The bubbles are crisp and (somehow) there seems to be way more of them in a bottle of Topo when compared to other sparkling waters. In a nutshell -- it's sparkling water magic in a bottle.

    Limes cut up into different shapes.

    LIME JUICE

    Last, but not least, freshly squeezed lime juice. Keep in mind, there are only three ingredients in this cocktail, which makes them all pret-ty important when it comes to flavor! And, you won't find a more refreshing flavor than freshly squeezed lime juice. It's key to creating a cocktail that'll quench your thirst. Particularly, in the midst of a brutally hot Texas summer.

    HOW MUCH LIME JUICE DO I NEED?

    If you are making your cocktail in a short glass, you'll want to juice half of a lime. For a Ranch Water cocktail served out of a tall glass, add the juice of an entire lime for optimal refreshment!

    A Ranch Water Cocktail in a short glass with a bottle of tequila, lime wedges, and topo chico behind it.

    6 MORE COCKTAIL RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

    • Chocolate Mudslide
    • Lime Martini
    • Peach Margaritas
    • Coconut Margaritas
    • Blood Orange Margarita
    • Velvet Falernum Cocktail 
    4.41 from 5 votes
    A Ranch Water Cocktail in a short glass with a bottle of tequila, lime wedges, and topo chico behind it.
    Print
    Ranch Water Cocktail
    Prep Time
    5 mins
    Total Time
    5 mins
     

    The Ranch Water is a three-ingredient, thirst-quenching, Texas tequila cocktail perfect for hot summer days! Tequila, limes, and Topo Chico are all you need!

    Course: Beverage, Cocktail
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: Ranch Water
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 98 kcal
    Author: Kelly Anthony
    Ingredients
    • 1 - 2 ounces silver tequila
    • Freshly squeezed lime juice
    • 4-8 ounces Topo Chico
    Instructions
    1. Fill a glass to the top with ice (preferably crushed ice).

    IN A SHORT GLASS:
    1. If you are using a short glass, add 1 - 1 ½-ounce of tequila to the glass and squeeze over the juice of half of a lime. Fill to the top with Topo Chico. Stir and enjoy.

    IN A TALL GLASS:
    1. If you are using a tall glass, add 1 ½ to 2-ounces of tequila to the glass and squeeze over the juice of a whole lime. Fill to the top with Topo Chico. Stir and enjoy.

    Recipe Video

    Nutrition Facts
    Ranch Water Cocktail
    Amount Per Serving (1 g)
    Calories 98
    % Daily Value*
    Sodium 24mg1%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Image For Pinterest

    « Carne Asada Tacos
    Watermelon Margaritas Recipe »
    2917 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    • Yummly

    Looking for more recipes?

    Be sure to check out the recipe index where you can browse recipes by meal type and category!

    Check Out the Recipe Index

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m Kelly Anthony — a baker, home chef, and mom with a passion for food and an adoration for entertaining.

    Comfort food is my specialty, and it is truly my pleasure to share these recipes with you. If you’d like to get to know me a little better, click here.

    Trending recipes

    • Strawberry Cupcakes
    • Shrimp Po Boy
    • Jalapeno Popper Dip
    • Buffalo Chicken Sliders
    • Chile con Queso
    • Pizza Dip

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Accessibility Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for weekly recipes
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

    Contact

    • Work with me
    • Contact