When the weather heats up, you need to solve two problems: how to cool down and what to do with all those limes you bought at the City Market (it's hard to resist when they're six for a dollar).
The answer to both dilemmas lies in one simple drink with a number of alcoholic and non-alcoholic variations -- the Rickey or lime rickey. This drink apparently goes back to the 1890s when a lobbyist, Colonel Jim (or Joe) Rickey, was seen as a consummate drinker in Washington D.C. A bartender at Shoemaker's apparently mixed up the lime concoction that came to be known as a rickey, while the Colonel went into the lime-importing business.
Since a lot of different recipes fall under the umbrella of the Rickey,
this is one of those drink choices that allows you to use just about
anything in your liquor cabinet.
The base of the Rickey is straightforward, as put forth by The Mixoloseum:
most common liquor used is gin because it tends to have a smooth finish, and the combination of citrus, tonic or soda water, and gin is fairly
common. You may have heard someone order a gin rickey. If you're
looking for a fuller taste on a cooler night, a rye or bourbon rickey might do the trick. Lime rinds and Cointreau are optional, and can provide a bit of flavor or color.
It's even thought to be one of the drinks attracing non-drinkers to bars. For those who just want a refreshing, non-alcoholic alternative, substitute in simple syrup
for liquor. Simple syrup is sugar dissolved in boiling water, which can
be stored in the fridge for easy use after it cools. It's good to have
on hand for homemade limeades or as a way to sweeten summertime drinks.
[Image via Flickr: mrpattersonsir]
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The Addiction Professor is my new favorite commenter. His ability to connect nearly any topic with drug rehabilitation is truly inspiring.
Its funny how many other uses I have found for limes since I went to drug rehabhttp://www.stopaddiction....
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