Irish Rickey: Irish Whiskey, Lime & Soda Highball

The Irish Rickey is a stripped-down whiskey highball built from Irish whiskey, lime, and sparkling water. There is no added sugar, so the drink stays dry, tart, and refreshing, with the soda stretching the whiskey into a long, easy-drinking serve.

Background

The Rickey family developed in Washington, D.C. in the late 19th century, originally around whiskey, lime, and soda water. The Irish Rickey applies that same unsweetened structure to Irish whiskey, giving the drink a softer malt profile while keeping the bright citrus-and-soda character that defines the style.

What You'll Need

Ingredients

• Irish Whiskey: Provides the smooth malt and grain backbone.
• Lime Juice: Adds sharp citrus acidity without added sweetness.
• Carbonated Water: Lengthens the drink and supplies its crisp fizz.

Useful substitutions: Club soda can replace carbonated water. Another Irish whiskey can be used freely, with pot-still-heavy bottles producing a spicier drink and lighter blends creating a softer version.

Equipment

• Highball glass
• Jigger
• Bar spoon
• Ice

Why the Rickey Stays Dry

Unlike a Collins or Whiskey Sour, the Rickey traditionally skips sugar. Lime provides the acidity, soda gives the drink length and carbonation, and the spirit remains clearly recognizable. That dry structure is what makes the Irish Rickey especially crisp and refreshing.

Substitutions & Variations

• Use a pot still Irish whiskey for more spice and body.
• Try a lighter blended Irish whiskey for a softer, cleaner version.
• Swap lime for lemon for a rounder citrus profile, although it moves away from the usual Rickey structure.
• Add a mint sprig or cucumber ribbon for aroma without adding sweetness.
• Replace plain soda with ginger ale for a sweeter variation rather than a classic Rickey.

Helpful Tips

Use freshly squeezed lime juice because the recipe is too simple to hide tired citrus.

Keep the soda water cold and add it last to preserve carbonation.

Stir gently after topping. Aggressive stirring will knock out the bubbles.

Use plenty of fresh ice to keep the drink cold while controlling dilution.

For several servings, pre-combine the whiskey and lime juice, then add ice and soda to each glass immediately before serving.