Ranch Water

By Naz Deravian

Updated January 30, 2024

  • Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.
Media 1 of 1
Total Time
5 minutes
Prep Time
2 minutes
Cook Time
3 minutes
Rating
4(1,213)
Comments
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Bold, tart and fizzy, this mix of blanco tequila, lime juice and carbonated mineral water, is a refreshing thirst quencher that packs a punch. Use the amounts here as a guide, and pour to suit your taste buds. To take the edge off, add a little sweetener like simple syrup, or a touch of orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau. For an extra hit of flavor, rim the glass with chile-lime salt. While Topo Chico is synonymous with Texas ranch water, preferred for its highly effervescent bubbles, you can use other sparkling waters, too.  

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Ingredients

Yield:1 serving 

  • 2 ounces blanco tequila

  • 1 ounce fresh lime juice, plus a lime wedge for serving 

  • Carbonated mineral water, such as Topo Chico, as needed

Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (1 servings)

3 grams carbs; 141 calories; 1 milligram sodium; 1 gram 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

    Fill a highball glass with ice. Add the tequila and the lime juice, then top it off with Topo Chico. Gently stir to mix. Serve with a lime wedge. Keep topping off with Topo Chico to dilute to your liking and extend the life of the drink.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
1,213 user ratings
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Comments

Deb

No need to measure. Just open a cold bottle of Topo Chico, drink to just below the logo, add tequila to the top of the logo, pop in a lime wedge.

Amador Garza

In Southern Texas and Northern Mexico we call this drink carreta, or ranch wagon. It has been around for a long, long time. I prefer to pour the tequila in the glass first, then fill with ice, squeeze one whole lime into glass, grind some sea salt on the ice and then pour in the Topo Chico. The order of ingredients in the glass makes all the difference, e.g. Lessons in Chemistry from Apple TV. I prefet to use Jose Cuervo Tradicional Reposado than a white tequila.

MDT

My grandfather and father and uncles (there were lots of them) drank ranch water in the evenings on our family rancho in South Texas. Little sips as they hotly debated politics in rapid fire Spanish. Water, tequila, and lime. I don’t remember the women drinking it, except for my mother, a bit of a spitfire herself.

Pam Peck

We got addicted to Topo Chico mineral water when it first came out in US. Now we cannot find it as they have changed to carbonated alcohol fruit drinks. Talking Tucson etc.

MG

I like to sweeten w a tiny bit of maple syrup !!!

David

Or..just open a cold Corona, take 2 big swigs, pull your bottle of Mezcal out of the freezer and add to the Corona ... pop in a lime wedge-Loaded Corona!

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