The Gin Rickey was the first in a long line of Rickeys—long dry cocktails over ice, usually made without sweeteners. Washington DC is known for its movers, mixers, and shakers, but rarely are drinks named for them. Lobbyists are known to kick back a few with members of Congress, and Joe Rickey was no exception. After Rickey ordered seconds of a new gin drink at Shoemaker’s Restaurant, the bartender named the cocktail the Gin Rickey. It may not be so coincidental, then, that Rickey became the first major U.S. importer of limes.
You never need to shake a Rickey. Merely pour your ingredients into the glass. If you substitute ginger ale for club soda, the cocktail becomes a Buck.
Cinco de Mayo
