Ranch Water - Three Ways

A classic Ranch Water recipe including 2 variations; spicy and sweet. Easy to make and perfect to enjoy during the summer.

Before moving to the mountains of North Carolina, I lived in Texas for over 20 years. In Houston, I first discovered Ranch Water - the refreshing West Texas cocktail that is so easy to make it almost isn't even a recipe.

Although I enjoy drinking classic Ranch Water, my daughters came up with two other versions of this cocktail which both add a different flavor to the drink. One is a little sweet, and the other is deliciously spicy.

What Is Ranch Water?

Texas Ranch Water is a simple, three-ingredient cocktail that's almost impossible to mess up. Reportedly, it has been around since the 1960s but has recently become popular because it is seen as a healthier alternative to a classic margarita.

This uncomplicated cocktail is made with just 3 ingredients - tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico mineral water. While some friends in Texas won't use any other type of sparkling water, I'll often use the kind I have on hand.

Why This Recipe Works

• Ranch Water - 3 Ways: While I love sipping on a traditional Ranch Water, my daughters have come up with 2 spectacular versions of Ranch Water: in one, they've added pineapple juice to the lime juice, tequila, and sparkling water and in the other version, they've added fresh slices of jalapeños and coated the rim with Tajin, a chili/lime seasoning.
• Low in calories and low in carbs: Think of Ranch Water as a Texas-style margarita without all the sugar.
• A customizable recipe: You can alter the ingredient amounts to suit your taste or calorie goals.

Ingredients

Ingredient Notes

• Tequila: There isn't a specific brand of tequila that you need to use, but I recommend using a Blanco tequila (silver tequila) because of its crisp, clean taste. You could, however, use mezcal or reposado for a more tequila-forward flavor.
• Lime juice: I like using fresh lime juice but you can use bottled lime juice instead.
• Sparkling water: Traditionally, Topo Chico is used. This brand of mineral water is incredibly carbonated and the extra bubbles add something special to this refreshing drink. Even so, I will often use other brands of sparkling water like LaCroix or Bubly because I always keep those on hand.

Ranch Water Variations

1. Pineapple Ranch Water: This pineapple tequila cocktail is slightly sweeter than the traditional version due to the pineapple juice. Here's what you need:
   • 2-ounces of tequila
   • ½-ounce lime juice
   • 2-ounces pineapple juice
   • Ice
   • 4-ounces Topo Chico

2. Spicy Ranch Water: Traditional Ranch Water but with a Texas kick! Here's what you need:
   • 2-ounces tequila
   • ½-ounce lime juice
   • 3 slices of jalapeños (or more to taste)
   • Ice
   • 4-ounces Topo Chico
   • Tajin (a Mexican chili/lime blend) for garnishing the rim of your cocktail glass.

Pro Tips: To rim your cocktail glass in Tajin or another spicy seasoning, rub a lime wedge around the rim of your glass and then dip the glass in a shallow plate of the seasoning.

Leave in the seeds and muddle the jalapeños in the glass for extra flavor and spice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert Tips

Here are a few tips for making the very best Ranch Water:

• Use freshly squeezed lime juice in your cocktail for the very best flavor.
• If you'd like to add a little sweetness, add a small amount of agave, to taste.
• Topo Chico has a few flavored varieties of sparkling mineral water. You might like to consider using their grapefruit, tangerine, or lime flavors for an extra twist.
• Feel free to adjust the amount of any ingredient to suit your tastes.

Got Extra Limes?

If you have any fresh limes leftover from this easy Ranch Water recipe, you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:

• Key Lime Pie
• Shrimp Tacos
• Carne Asada
• Margarita

Serving Suggestions

This fresh tart lime tequila cocktail is refreshing on its own, but we love to enjoy it with these delicious dishes too:

• Guacamole
• Tortilla chips
• Chicken Fajitas
• Queso
• Nachos

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.

If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see it!