Root Beer Rickey

Recipe from Jim Meehan

Adapted by Ali Slagle

Updated May 22, 2022

  • Two clear tall glasses hold ice and an amber liquid. They cast their shadows over a white backdrop. A spent lime half sits off to the side.
    Armando Rafael for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
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Rating
4(219)
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Spicy, spritzy and refreshing, this cocktail is essentially grown-up root beer. A classic rickey is just liquor, lime juice and carbonated water, but reach for rye whiskey and trade the soda water for root beer, and you get the root beer rickey, a drink bartender Jim Meehan created for Cicoria, a pizzeria in Portland, Ore. Root beer and rye are natural partners, as each is woodsy, minty and caramelly; the soda also lends sweetness without having to add sugar. At Cicoria, the drink is served up in a short glass and garnished with a pineapple wedge, but this easygoing rendition opts for ice in a tall glass with more root beer. Add a lime wedge, if you like. —Ali Slagle

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

  • Ice

  • 2 ounces rye whiskey

  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)

  • 4 ounces root beer (see Tip)

  • Lime wedge, for serving (optional)

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving

15 grams carbs; 198 calories; 16 milligrams sodium; 13 grams sugar

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Into an ice-filled Collins glass, pour the whiskey and lime juice. Top with root beer, then give a quick stir with a bar spoon, fork handle or chopstick. Top with the lime wedge, if using.

Tip

  • The flavor of the drink is largely dependent on the quality of the root beer, so it’s worth seeking out a root beer sweetened with honey, molasses or cane sugar as opposed to high-fructose corn syrup. Virgil’s and Jones Soda are great choices; Cicoria uses root beer from Crater Lake Soda.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
219 user ratings
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Comments

tom C

Can you substitute Jamison Irish whiskey for the Rye?

lcminer

The lime gives it a weird sour note.

Stewart

The late lamented Hungry Mother in Cambridge's Kendall Square did basically this with Dr Pepper, and it was delightful in my drinking days.

Richard

Too much lime, 0.5 oz is better balanced.

Kent

First taste was unusual, but as the ice melted and cut the sharpness of the lime a bit, this drink was delicious. Will put this in the rotation with Kentucky Mules

Tom Williams.

Tower root beer is the best I've ever had. I always buy unique root beers when I see them

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Credits

Adapted by Ali Slagle

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