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    Home » Recipes » Drink Recipes

    Published: May 8, 2024 · Modified: Oct 13, 2024 by AshleyFreeman ·

    Spicy Grapefruit Ranch Water (Tequila Cocktail)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I'm pretty sure this spicy grapefruit ranch water is going to be my go-to drink of the summer. Think of it as a homemade seltzer for adults. Tart grapefruit juice and lime juice are topped off with Topo Chico and spicy jalapeños. And a little white tequila is all you need to give it margarita vibes...but just not as boozy. It's also a great alternative to hard seltzer. 

    Two tall clear glasses of Grapefruit Ranch Water with a green glass straw in the front glass.

    You may have had a Ranch Water before, and while I do love the original drink, I wanted to give it a refreshingly citrusy kick by adding fresh grapefruit juice. For a day-long poolside or beach drink option to stave off the summer heat (without getting tipsy), I'll leave out the tequila. What's left is a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage. It's the best of both worlds!

    If you're looking for other cocktail recipes, be sure to check out my Purple People Eater (a Spooky Halloween Gin Cocktail). For a year-round version of this gin drink, just omit the gummy googly eyeballs. The purple hue is even more enhanced when garnished with edible flowers. My Spiced Bourbon Black Tea Hot Toddy is also a great choice. It's more suited for cold-weather months but pro tip: it can be served over ice too.

    Two other drinks that I absolutely love are from some of my food blogger friends. If you love cocktails that whisk you away to a tropical location without having to leave the living room, be sure to check out my friend Juyali's Brazilian Passion Fruit Caipirinha.

    And, if you're looking for a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage loaded with honey, warm spices, and vanilla, my friend Neyssa has an amazing Puerto Rican Horchata recipe that you must try.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Substitutions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Tasty tip
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Related
    • Even more
    • 🍽Get the recipe
    • Recipe guidelines and test kitchen tips
    • Food safety

    Ingredients

    Before we get started, let's gather the ingredients we need for this recipe.

    Ingredients for Spicy Grapefruit Ranch Water.
    • fresh grapefruit
    • fresh limes
    • Topo Chico (or other sparkling mineral water)
    • white tequila
    • Tajín
    • jalapeño

    (See recipe card for quantities.)

    Instructions

    Now that we've gathered our ingredients, let's make this cocktail!

    Two juiced red grapefruit halves, a silver vintage juicer, a measuring cup of red grapefruit juice, and two limes (one cut in half with a wooden-handled knife) on a wooden cutting board.

    First, juice the grapefruit to equal ½ cup juice. Squeeze the limes to equal 2 tablespoons lime juice.

    Lime wedges on a wooden cutting board along with a wooden handled knife and a Tajín-rimmed glass and bowl of Tajín off to the side.

    Then, rub the rim of a cocktail glass with a lime wedge and dip in Tajín.

    Stirring the Spicy Grapefruit Ranch Water before Topo Chico has been added with a cutting board off to the side that has lime wedges and jalapeno slices on it.

    Next, add ice to the glass. Top with the juices, tequila, and jalapeño. Stir to release the oils from the jalapeño.

    Pouring Topo Chico into a glass filled with grapefruit juice, tequila, lime juice, ice, and jalapeno slices with a small plate of garnishes and wooden cutting board with limes off to the side.

    Finally, top with Topo Chico and garnish with grapefruit slices, lime slices, jalapeño slices, and more Tajín.

    Hint: Be very careful when slicing the jalapeño. Either wear gloves or wash your hands well with soap and warm water. You definitely don't want to accidentally get jalapeño juice in your eyes. Ouch!

    Substitutions

    Need some ideas for ingredient substitutions? Here are a few:

    • Grapefruit - I love the bright red shade and sweet, tart flavor of Indian River Ruby Red grapefruit (and because we used to live in the Indian River region of Florida.) Rio Red and Star Ruby grapefruit are similar in sweetness and flavor too. Feel free to use other varieties of grapefruit--you may just need to adjust the amount of sweetness by adding a little honey or organic agave if the drink is too tart.
    • Topo Chico - I love Topo Chico, and given that this is a Mexican-inspired tequila cocktail, that's the sparkling water I like to use. Feel free to use your favorite carbonated water instead.
    • Tajín - Tajín is a Mexican spice blend made of dehydrated lime, chile peppers, and salt. I love the color it adds to the rim of the drink but margarita salt is a great subsitute too.
    • Tequila - I use good white/silver tequila (blanco tequila) for this drink. If you're looking for an even smoother finish, reposado tequila is also delicious. This type of tequila is aged longer than blanco tequila. Or, if you're not a fan of tequila at all, try vodka or white rum instead.

    Variations

    Here are some other ways to adjust this recipe:

    • Smoky - If you're a fan of smoky drinks like bourbon or scotch whisky, then mezcal is a great way to change up this recipe. The smokiness of mezcal is a wonderful pairing to the grapefruit and lime juice.
    • Spice-free - Not a fan of spicy things? Just omit the jalapeño for a spice-less cocktail.
    • Cucumber - Cucumber is a naturally watery vegetable, and slices of cucumber are a great addition to this drink.
    • Other citrus fruit - Want ranch water with a fruity spin but not in the form of grapefruit? Try tangerine juice or lemon juice instead.

    Equipment

    Here's the equipment you'll need to make this cocktail:

    • juicer
    • Cocktail glass
    • liquid measuring cup
    • measuring spoons

    Storage

    I doubt you'll have any leftovers, but they don't hold up well in the refrigerator unless you remove the ice cubes.

    Tasty tip

    You can also make a big-batch of the ranch water base and then top with ice and sparkling water to serve.

    Frequently asked questions

    What type of alcohol is in Ranch Water?

    Traditional Texas Ranch Water has white tequila.

    Is a Ranch Water drink healthy?

    I wouldn't say that it's healthy, per se, but it is a healthier, less calorie-dense alternative to traditional margaritas.

    What's the difference between a skinny margarita and Ranch Water?

    A Ranch Water has 3 basic ingredients: tequila, lime juice, and sparkling water. (I've added grapefruit juice to my version.) A skinny margarita also has orange juice or orange liqueur and agave.

    Why do they call it Ranch Water?

    It's believed that West Texas cowboys first created u0022ranch wateru0022 as a refreshing beverage to cool off after a days work herding cattle.

    What is the best tequila for Ranch Water?

    A white or silver tequila is the best choice for Ranch Water since it's mild in flavor and clear in color. For a more pronounced tequila flavor, go for a reposado tequila.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Metal surface topped with Roger Wood sausage Low Country Boil, two cans of beer, and metal containers of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce.
      Low Country Boil with Roger Wood Smoked Sausage
    • Metal Ovenex Starburst pan filled with Phillips Crab Cakes and a bowl of Cajun Tartar Sauce with lemon wedges and fresh herbs sprinkled on top.
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    • Wooden tray topped with a light blue bowl of Cajun tartar sauce with hot sauce on top, a bottle of hot sauce on the side, as well as lemon wedges, parsley leaves, and a kitchen towel.
      Easy Homemade Cajun Tartar Sauce with Creole Mustard
    • Wooden bowl filled with creamy chicken macaroni salad with ceramic serving spoons, an orange checked cloth, two yellow glasses filled with ice water, and one pottery plate topped with a serving to the side.
      The Best Creamy Macaroni Pasta Salad with Chicken

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    These are more of my favorite recipes:

    • Light wooden bowl filled with Zoe's Kitchen Copycat Pasta Salad with a wooden salad set in the bowl, a blue cloth, two blue glasses, a bowl of fresh basil, and salt and pepper shakers on the side.
      Tomato, Basil, and Feta Pasta Salad (Zoe's Copycat)
    • Green bowl filled with Elote Pasta Salad with a small wooden bowl of Cotija cheese and a small white bowl of cilantro on the side plus a green checked napkin and wooden serving spoon.
      Zesty Elote (Mexican Street Corn) Pasta Salad
    • Cast iron skillet filled with hot Mexican street corn dip with cream cheese on a wooden board surrounded by a blue checked napkin and small white enamel appetizer plates.
      Hot Mexican Street Corn Dip with Cream Cheese
    • Red tray topped with a Strawberry Rum Rita, bowl of strawberries and limes and cocktail picks with a pitcher of extra margaritas and a red checked cloth to the side.
      Delicious Strawberry Rum Rita (Rum Margarita)

    🍽Get the recipe

    Two tall clear glasses of Grapefruit Ranch Water with a green glass straw in the front glass.

    Spicy Grapefruit Ranch Water

    This spicy grapefruit ranch water is going to be my go-to drink of the summer. I love the tart grapefruit juice and lime juice paired with Topo Chico and spicy jalapeños. A little white tequila is all you need, and it feels like a margarita...but not as boozy.
    5 from 13 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Mexican
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1

    Equipment

    • juicer
    • Cocktail glass
    • liquid measuring cup
    • measuring spoons

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup fresh grapefruit juice
    • 2 tablespoon fresh lime juice, plus more for rimming the glass
    • Tajín (Mexican seasoning blend)
    • Ice cubes
    • 3 tablespoon white tequila (blanco tequila) (1 ½ ounces)
    • Jalapeño slices
    • 1 cup Topo chico (or other sparkling mineral water)
    • Grapefruit slices, lime slices, jalapeño slices, and more Tajín for garnish

    Instructions

    • Juice the grapefruit to equal ½ cup juice. Juice the limes to equal 2 tablespoons juice.
    • Rub a lime wedge around the edge of a cocktail class, and then dip in Tajín.
    • Add the ice cubes to the glass. Top with the juices, tequila, and jalapeño slices. Stir to release the spicy oils from the jalapeño.
    • Top with the Topo chico and garnish as desired. Serve immediately.

    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

    See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

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      The Best Frozen Mango and Creamy Coconut Margaritas
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Stephanie says

      July 07, 2024 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      This grapefruit cocktail is the ideal drink during this crazy heat wave we are having. Super tasty and so refreshing. Thanks for the detailed instructions as my bartending skills need improvement!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 08, 2024 at 12:56 pm

        Thanks so much for your note Stephanie! Glad you enjoyed it!

        Reply
    2. Sonja says

      July 01, 2024 at 1:48 pm

      5 stars
      I had never heard of ranch water before, but that combo and the fact that you made it with less alcohol had me super curious! And what a surprise that flavor was! I mean, citrus and chili go fantastically well together anyway, but the grapefruit! The exact right amount of slightly bitter, to make this extra interesting to drink. Just can't stop now.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:05 pm

        Thanks so much for your note Sonja! Thanks for giving the recipe a try--I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Juyali says

      July 01, 2024 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      I made these again this past weekend. I am so hooked! We spent the weekend at a lake cabin with friends, and it was a hit. I was a little worried about the spiciness, but nobody said anything. They actually loved it! I received so many compliments! 🙂

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:04 pm

        Hooray! So glad to hear that!

        Reply
    4. Nora says

      June 30, 2024 at 9:32 am

      5 stars
      This tequila cocktail turned out perfectly! Made it when I had the girls over. They loved it!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        June 30, 2024 at 2:25 pm

        I'm so glad to hear that, Nora!

        Reply
    5. Jordan says

      May 20, 2024 at 12:45 pm

      5 stars
      This is the only summer cocktail you need, period. This stuff is dangerously good. Perfect for sipping my the pool or after working in the garden all afternoon!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 20, 2024 at 8:12 pm

        I agree! It's my go-to summer drink!

        Reply
    6. Sean says

      May 19, 2024 at 11:13 pm

      5 stars
      I have been drinking ranch water for year and this is by far my favorite recipe.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 20, 2024 at 8:20 am

        That's so great to hear! I love that it's a refreshing low-alcohol option!

        Reply
    7. Julie says

      May 19, 2024 at 8:21 pm

      5 stars
      How tasty! I love how this drink came out. I made it for my girls night and everyone loved the kick in it and asked for the recipe.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 20, 2024 at 8:21 am

        Awesome! So glad it was a hit!

        Reply
    8. Leslie says

      May 17, 2024 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      This is a super fun, summer cocktail recipe! I love the spicy kick! I love your idea of adding cucumber..perfectioin!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 17, 2024 at 6:08 pm

        For sure! It's like boozy spa water

        Reply
    9. Loreto and Nicoletta Nardelli says

      May 16, 2024 at 6:39 pm

      5 stars
      I've never had anything like that! What a flavorful drink this spicy grapefruit ranch water is! Will make it all summer long.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 17, 2024 at 6:03 am

        So glad you enjoyed it! I'll be drinking it this summer too! 😉

        Reply
    10. Tammy says

      May 16, 2024 at 2:25 pm

      Ooh how delicious! I love all the citrus in this. A beautiful contrast to the tequila...cheers!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 16, 2024 at 3:55 pm

        Yes! Me too!!

        Reply
    11. Bernice says

      May 14, 2024 at 7:48 pm

      5 stars
      Heck yah! Ranch water is the only way I get any vitamin C in the summer. lol Seriously, though this cocktail is so delicious and refreshing I'm a huge fan.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 14, 2024 at 7:51 pm

        I love that Bernice! It is a good way to get vitamin C 😉

        Reply
    12. Megane says

      May 14, 2024 at 12:35 am

      5 stars
      Tried out a Spicy Ranch Water for the first time – it was soooo good with a little kick! Definitely my new go-to summer drink. Cheers!

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 14, 2024 at 5:14 am

        I love it too! And the grapefruit adds another layer of flavor to tame the heat.

        Reply
    13. Gloria says

      May 13, 2024 at 3:26 pm

      5 stars
      What a fun drink for backyard parties. It's nice to have an alcohol free drink to serve to guests. We love anything Mexican themed.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 13, 2024 at 8:10 pm

        I agree! It's so easy to make this alcohol-free!

        Reply
    14. Marta says

      May 13, 2024 at 11:59 am

      5 stars
      I loved the spicy flavor of this ranch water. Here in Texas, ranch water is a must during the summer months.

      Reply
      • AshleyFreeman says

        May 13, 2024 at 2:57 pm

        For sure! I love a refreshing, low-alcohol cocktail when it's hot!

        Reply
    5 from 13 votes

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    Photo of Ashley Strickland Freeman in a kitchen.

    Hi, I'm Ashley, "your best friend in the kitchen." I'm a food stylist, culinary producer, editor, travel junkie, and author of The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook from Charleston, SC. Thanks for stopping by Little Black Skillet!

    More about me →

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