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Texas Ranch Water is a classic three-ingredient cocktail made with Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling mineral water. Served over ice and ready in minutes, this light and refreshing tequila drink is a simple alternative to a traditional margarita.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Only 3 Ingredients: This classic Texas Ranch Water is made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling mineral water.
- Light and Refreshing: Crisp Blanco tequila and bubbly Topo Chico create a clean, citrus-forward cocktail.
- Quick to Make: Ready in minutes with no shaker or special tools needed.
- Easy to Customize: Adjust the tequila or lime juice to suit your taste, or try one of the simple variations below.
- Naturally Gluten Free: Made with simple, clean ingredients and no added mixers.
A glass filled with ice, good Blanco tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling Topo Chico is about as simple and refreshing as a cocktail gets. Ranch Water proves you don’t need mixers or syrups to make something that tastes this good.
I love that this Texas classic has been around since the 1960s and still feels just right today. It’s lighter than a traditional margarita, made with only three ingredients, and built directly in the glass. Whether you stick with Topo Chico or use your favorite sparkling water, it’s an easy drink I come back to again and again.
Explore our collection of single serving cocktail recipes, including an aperol spritz, bloody mary, tequila sunrise, moscow mule, and a skinny margarita.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this Texas cocktail recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Tequila: Use Blanco tequila for the clean, crisp flavor that defines a classic Ranch Water cocktail. It blends smoothly with lime and sparkling water. Reposado adds a slightly richer taste, while mezcal gives the drink a subtle smoky flavor.
- Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the brightest, most refreshing flavor. Bottled lime juice works if needed, but fresh juice delivers the best results in this simple three-ingredient cocktail.
- Sparkling water: Topo Chico is the traditional choice in Texas Ranch Water because it is highly carbonated and keeps the drink extra bubbly. Any plain sparkling mineral water or unflavored seltzer can be used as a substitute.
Ranch Water Variations
This Texas Ranch Water recipe is a classic three-ingredient cocktail made with tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. Try one of these easy variations to change the flavor.
- Classic Ranch Water
The traditional version served over ice with Blanco tequila and Topo Chico.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces Blanco tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- Ice
- 4 ounces Topo Chico or sparkling mineral water
How to Make:
Fill a glass with ice. Add tequila and lime juice. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
2. Pineapple Ranch Water
A lightly sweet version made with pineapple juice.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- Ice
- 4 ounces Topo Chico
How to Make:
Fill a glass with ice. Add tequila, lime juice, and pineapple juice. Top with sparkling water and stir.
3. Spicy Ranch Water
A bold Texas-style variation with fresh jalapeño and a Tajin rim.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces tequila
- ½ ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 to 3 jalapeño slices
- Ice
- 4 ounces Topo Chico
- Tajin, optional for rim
How to Make:
Muddle jalapeño slices in a glass. Add ice, tequila, and lime juice. Top with sparkling water and stir.
Optional Tajin Rim:
Rub a lime wedge around the rim of the glass and dip it into Tajin before adding the drink.
Expert Tips
- Use Fresh Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice gives this Texas Ranch Water its bright, clean flavor. Bottled juice can taste flat.
- Choose Blanco Tequila: A good-quality Blanco tequila keeps the cocktail crisp and smooth without overpowering the lime.
- Keep Everything Cold: Use cold tequila and chilled Topo Chico or sparkling mineral water to maintain strong carbonation.
- Stir Gently: After topping with sparkling water, stir lightly to keep the drink bubbly.
- Adjust to Taste: Add a splash of agave syrup if you prefer slight sweetness, or increase the lime juice for extra tartness.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Ranch Water contains only tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. A skinny margarita usually includes orange liqueur or an orange-flavored ingredient.
Ranch Water is lower in calories than many cocktails because it contains no added sugar or syrups. The calorie count mainly comes from the tequila.
Yes. Add a small splash of agave syrup or use flavored sparkling water if you prefer a slightly sweeter drink.
It is typically served in a tall glass filled with ice and topped with Topo Chico. Some people serve it directly in the mineral water bottle after taking a few sips.
Yes, just skip the tequila and enjoy a refreshing lime soda.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried this Ranch Water recipe or any of the variations please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
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Ranch Water Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ounces Blanco tequila
- ½ ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
- ice
- 4 ounces Topo Chico Mineral Water or another brand of sparkling water
Instructions
- Pour the Blanco tequila into a tall glass.
- Stir in the lime juice.
- Add ice to fill the glass.
- Pour in the Topo Chico or sparkling mineral water.
- Stir gently to combine and serve immediately.
Notes
- Use Fresh Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice gives this Texas Ranch Water its bright, clean flavor. Bottled juice can taste flat.
- Choose Blanco Tequila: A good-quality Blanco tequila keeps the cocktail crisp and smooth without overpowering the lime.
- Keep Everything Cold: Use cold tequila and chilled Topo Chico or sparkling mineral water to maintain strong carbonation.
- Stir Gently: After topping with sparkling water, stir lightly to keep the drink bubbly.
- Adjust to Taste: Add a splash of agave syrup if you prefer slight sweetness, or increase the lime juice for extra tartness.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Best method
Good recipe.