Texas Ranch Water Cocktail

5 stars (4 reviews)

Posted by Sommer Collier on Apr 1, 2022

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Best Ranch Water Recipe – A cold glass of bright, bubbly Texas ranch water is perfect to beat the summer heat. Mix these delightful drinks with 5 simple ingredients and sip the hot day away!

Three tall glasses of Texas ranch water.

What is Texas Ranch Water?

Light, citrusy, refreshing, and boozy! Texas Ranch Water is made with silver tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico for a bubbly drink that’s deceptively strong.

These old-school cocktails have been around for generations. And thanks to the recent flavored spiked sparkling water craze, you can now find readymade cans of these drinks at most local stores. However, they typically contain a few more ingredients you might not be crazy about, like refined sugar and artificial preservatives.

So skip the canned versions and make this popular beverage at home with just 5 simple ingredients. You’ll love knowing exactly what’s in your cocktail, and I’m always a fan of being able to control how much (and what quality) alcohol goes in my drinks.

Make this fabulously easy ranch water recipe for your next summer cookout or pool party… You can guarantee these thirst-quenching cocktails will be a splash!

Two hands holding two glasses of drinks with lime, cheersing.

5 Ingredients You Need

Tequila blanco – AKA silver tequila
Fresh lime juice – none of that bottled stuff
Salt – just a pinch
Sparkling mineral water – we prefer Topo Chico
Lime wedge – or thin slices to garnish

Bottles of Espolon tequila and Topo Chico mineral water.

Easy Recipe Steps

First, prep your ingredients. The recipe below features proportions to make one drink; simply increase the quantities of everything for however many cocktails you want to serve.

Pro Tip: Regardless of how many drinks you are making, you’ll want to have at least one lime to juice and another to thinly slice or cut into wedges.

Cutting board covered in slices of lime, with bottles of tequila and Topo Chico in the background.

Next, set out a highball glass or tumbler. Fill half full with ice.

Pour the tequila and lime juice into the glass.

Hand pouring alcohol into three tall glasses half filled with ice.

Add a pinch of salt. Stir well.

Hand adding a sprinkling of salt to a tall glass with ice and alcohol.

Add the sparkling mineral water.

Get the Complete (Printable!) Texas Ranch Water Cocktail Recipe Below. Enjoy!

Hand pouring liquid from a metal jig into a tall glass.

Stir again. Taste, and add extra salt or mineral water if desired.

Texas ranch water being stirred with metal swizzle stick.

Garnish the glass with a lime wedge and serve cold.

Three tall glasses of Texas ranch water cocktails each filled with ice and lime slices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you garnish a Texas ranch water cocktail?

Slices of lime can be added directly to the glass. Or garnish the rim with a lime wedge.

For even more flair, before adding the drink ingredients first coat the rim of each glass with a bit of agave syrup. Then roll in your choice of kosher salt, sugar, or tajin chile-lime seasoning.

What tequila is best to make ranch water?

Silver (blanco) tequila is classic for a light, smooth alcohol flavor. But you can use aged or mezcal for a more prominent tequila flavor, if you prefer.

What are other Texas ranch water flavors?

The drink is traditionally made with lime juice. However, grapefruit ranch water is another popular and delicious flavor you might like to try.

Or try this recipe with the addition of muddled strawberries.

How can you make a ranch water cocktail sweeter?

Stir in 1/2 ounce of agave syrup to mellow the alcohol flavor a bit with a hint of sweetness.

Three glasses of ranch water, one with hand holding onto it.

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