Drink of the Week: Gin rickey

The gin rickey may be the closest thing D.C. has to a city drink. Named after famed lobbyist Col. Joe Rickey, and originally served at Shoomaker’s, the drink is similar to a gin and tonic, but with more lime and lacking the bitterness of quinine. The traditional recipe is 1.5 oz. gin, 1/2 lime, 1/4 oz. simple syrup and finished with soda water.

The recently formed D.C. Bartenders Guild had declared July as Rickey Month. With this, Guild members created their own variations on the rickey, culminating with a free tasting event on August 4 at 6 p.m. at Bourbon in Adams Morgan. There is both a voting competition as well as a judged competition that includes Eric Felten of the Wall Street Journal, Charlotte Voisey of Hendricks Gin (mmm… rose petals and cucumber), Todd Thrasher of Restaurant Eve and PX, and John Wabeck of Inox.

In the meantime, you can check out the competitors and their recipes, and send votes for your favorites to rickeymonth (at) gmail.com.

Haymaker Rickey
Kat Bangs, Tabard Inn
Old Overholt Rye, Brown Sugar Balsamic Simple Syrup, Ginger Ale, Soda Water, Limes

“Bathtub Gin” Souchu Rickey
Adam Bernbach, Bar Pilar
Botanical-infused Souchu, Yuzu Juice, Soda Water

Georgie’s Rickey
Gina Chersevani, EatBar
Woodford Reserve, Lime Juice, Raw Dark-Brown Sugar, Curry Cherries, Soda Water, Microbasil

Black Pepper Gin Rickey
Justin Guthrie, Michel Richard Central
House-made Lime and Black Pepper Soda, Zuidam Gin, Limes

Dupont “Gin” Rickey
Kevin Rogers, Urbana

Berry Lime Rickey
Dan Searing, Looking Glass Lounge
Gin, Berry Compote (blackberries and raspberries), Soda Water, Lemons and Limes

Key Lime Rickey
Owen Thomson, Bourbon
Wild Turkey 101, Key Lime Juice, Coriander Tincture, Peychaud’s, Carbonated Coconut Water

Rive Gauche Rickey
Chantal Tseng, Tabard Inn
Aviation Gin, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Lucid Absinthe, Limes, Charles de Fere Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine, Lavender

Photo by Samer Farha