master-cooks | Ranch Water: The Cocktail You Need When Margaritas Are Too Much Effort

Ranch Water is the refreshing cocktail you reach for when crafting a margarita feels like too much effort. This minimalist drink hails from Texas, where simplicity and flavor go hand in hand. It typically consists of just three ingredients: tequila, fresh lime juice, and sparkling water. This straightforward combination offers a light and effervescent alternative to more complex mixed drinks. Tequila serves as the bold base, providing a robust spirit that pairs perfectly with the crisp tang of lime juice. Topping it off with sparkling water introduces a refreshing fizz that enhances the drink's overall lightness and makes it exceptionally thirst-quenching, especially on hot days. Unlike the margarita, Ranch Water skips the triple sec or other sweeteners, which means it’s not only simpler to prepare but also lower in calories. The drink's appeal lies in its flexibility; you can easily adjust the ratios to personalize its strength and flavor. It's traditionally served in a tall glass over ice, often garnished with a lime wedge for an extra citrusy kick. Ranch Water encapsulates the laid-back spirit of the Southwest, offering a quick, easy, and satisfying way to enjoy tequila without the fuss.

A ranch water is simple to make

At its core, ranch water consists of just three ingredients: quality tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water (Topo Chico, a delightful sparkling mineral water from Mexico, is the preferred choice). However, things get a bit complicated because Ranch 616, a restaurant in Austin, Texas, claims to have created the drink in 1998 and includes Patron Citrónge, an orange liqueur, in its version. Similarly, the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas, also adds orange liqueur to its take on ranch water.

That said, the most popular version today omits the orange liqueur, sticking to the classic three-ingredient recipe. This makes it much simpler to prepare compared to a margarita, especially when serving a group. Another benefit of this straightforward drink is the flexibility to adjust the ingredients to match your preferences, whether you want a more pronounced lime flavor or to alter the strength by varying the amount of soda. You can choose to either stir or shake your drink (Ranch 616 prefers stirring, while the Gage Hotel opts for shaking). A crucial element in crafting an excellent ranch water is selecting the right tequila.

The importance of choosing a good tequila

Since ranch water is a drink that emphasizes the alcohol more than a margarita does, it's essential to select a quality tequila that matches your taste preferences. Tequila comes in various forms, ranging from unaged blanco (or silver) to ultra-aged Extra Añejo. Each distillery has its own unique methods for crafting this spirit, providing a wide array of choices to cater to different palates. This differs from celebrity chef and cookbook author Ina Garten's approach, who opts for budget-friendly tequila in her margaritas, believing that the simpler flavors of an inexpensive blanco tequila complement the other ingredients better.

You'll find numerous ranch water recipes online that recommend using blanco tequila. While the Gage Hotel sticks with blanco, Ranch 616 opts for a more nuanced reposado in their version. Personally, I prefer the complexities of aged tequila and often choose reposado as well. If you decide to go with blanco tequila, it's best to invest in a higher-quality bottle, as your ranch water will be negatively impacted by using a lower-grade tequila, unlike Garten's margarita.

Ranch Water: The Cocktail You Need When Margaritas Are Too Much Effort

A ranch water is simple to make

The importance of choosing a good tequila

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