You're going to love this bourbon rickey recipe with a fall twist! A simple mix of bourbon, lime juice, soda water, and maple syrup creates the perfect golden-hued cocktail. A gorgeous garnish of sliced apple and lime wheel makes it a great drink for autumn gatherings.
I love the tart, refreshing flavor of this cocktail and that it's not too sweet. This is one of those drinks you can enjoy year-round on a hot summer day or in cooler weather, which is why I like to add the apple and maple to celebrate autumn flavors. It's also really simple to make--only about 5 minutes from start to finish. Give it a try; I bet you'll love it too!
After you try this bourbon drink, you may want to check out some other drink recipes. I happen to have several! If bourbon's your jam, you'll love my black tea bourbon hot toddy. If you're looking for a gin drink, check out my Halloween gin cocktail. For a vodka option, my prickly pear Moscow mule is delicious. And for the tequila drinkers, my spicy grapefruit ranch water is so good. Now let's get to why you're here: let's make the bourbon rickey!
Jump to:
Ingredients
Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe:
- bourbon
- fresh lime juice
- maple syrup
- club soda
- lime wheel or lime wedge for garnish
- apple slices for garnish
(See recipe card for quantities.)
Instructions
Now that we've got our ingredients, let's make this cocktail!
- First, combine the bourbon, lime juice, and maple syrup in an ice-filled rocks glass (or highball glass if you prefer).
- Then, top with club soda and garnish as desired.
Hint: To prevent the lime and apple slices from floating to the top, combine them with the ice in the glass before adding the liquid and they should stay put.
Substitutions
Here some ideas for ingredient substitutions if you need them:
- Bourbon - If you're out of bourbon or want to try something different make the gin version (aka the gin rickey) instead. Or make a vodka rickey.
- Lime juice - Use lemon juice instead of lime juice.
- Club soda - Instead of club soda, you can use sparkling mineral water like Topo Chico or seltzer water.
- Maple syrup - Try simple syrup or agave nectar instead of maple syrup.
Variations
Want to change things up? Try these recipe variations:
- Spicy - Muddle some jalapeño with the lime juice and maple syrup in a cocktail shaker and strain into the ice-filled glass before adding the bourbon.
- Cinnamon Simple Syrup - Make some simple syrup to use instead of maple syrup. Combine ½ cup sugar and ½ cup water in a small saucepan along with a cinnamon stick. Bring to a simmer and stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove from the heat and let stand until cooled. Remove the cinnamon stick before using.
Equipment
Here's the equipment you'll need to make this recipe:
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- paring knife
Storage
Store the drink mixture separate from the club soda in the refrigerator for 2 days.
Tasty Tip
Make a big batch cocktail if you're serving a crowd. Mix several servings' worth of the bourbon, lime juice, and maple syrup in a pitcher. When you're ready to serve, pour into ice-filled glasses and top with carbonated water right before serving.
Frequently asked questions
A lime rickey has bourbon or gin, lime juice and carbonated water.
The first bourbon rickey was made in the late 1800s at Shoomaker's Bar in Washington, D.C. The bartender George Williamson, created the cocktail for Colonel Joe Rickey, a Democratic lobbyist and frequent customer of the local pub.
Bourbon is a type of whiskey, but to be called bourbon, there are several requirements: the mash must contain at least 51% corn, it must be distilled at 160 proof or less, and it must be store in charred new oak barrels at 125 proof or less. There cannot be any additives as well.
I recommend going to a liquor store that will allow you to try samples, but if that's not an option, there are a few things to note when you're choosing bourbon. First look at the label and see where the bourbon is made. Look at the color, and look at the age. Bourbons that are aged for longer have more complex flavor because they absorb more of the flavors of the barrel.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing:
These are my favorite dishes to serve with this Autumn Bourbon Rickey Cocktail:
🍽Get the recipe
Autumn Bourbon Rickey Cocktail with Maple Syrup
Equipment
- liquid measuring cup
- measuring spoons
- paring knife
Ingredients
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- Club soda
- Lime wheels and apple slices for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the bourbon, lime juice, and maple syrup in an ice-filled rocks glass.
- Top with club soda and garnish.
Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
When developing and testing recipes, here are some key things that I do for more success in the kitchen:
- Be sure to use dry measuring cups for things like flour, sugar, and mayonnaise and a liquid measuring cup for things like water, milk, and broth.
- When measuring dry ingredients like flour and powdered sugar that can pack down, spoon the ingredient into a dry measuring cup and level with a knife as opposed to scooping the measuring cup into the ingredient.
- I test and develop recipes using a standard electric oven and standard gas stovetop. Be aware that if you use an electric stovetop or convection oven, your bake times will be different.
- When recipes call for kosher salt, I use Diamond Crystal kosher salt.
Food safety
Finally, don't forget to keep these food safety tips in mind when making this recipe.
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
Liz says
This is such a delicious, well-balanced cocktail. It's perfect for autumn!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks Liz! I agree!
Oscar says
This bourbon rickey recipe quickly became my new favorite drink! The golden hue and the sliced apple and lime wheel garnish made it not only tasty but also visually stunning for my seasonal celebrations.
AshleyFreeman says
Wow! Thanks so much! It really is a great drink for the fall!
Matt says
This is perfect for fall! The warm bourbon notes with the fresh lime made it so refreshing yet cozy.
AshleyFreeman says
You're so right Matt! Thanks!
Dee says
Made these yesterday for brunch. Had never had a Rickey before. So yumm!
AshleyFreeman says
Thanks for giving the recipe a try Dee!
Swathi says
You caught me with bourbon. This rickey cocktail is so refreshing and I enjoyed it.
AshleyFreeman says
Awesome! I love a bourbon cocktail too!