Best Easy Ranch Water Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (2024)

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How do you make Ranch Water and what even is Ranch Water! All great questions as Ranch Water is taking the country by storm! It is a light & refreshing co*cktail, easy to make, tastes great and also is amazing for limiting hangovers.

The Texas Ranch Water recipe is also the most simple co*cktail on earth just being three ingredients and takes all of 10 seconds to create.

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This amazing tequila co*cktail is also so versatile as you can make it your own with multiple variations and flavors!

You can make prickly pear Ranch Water, spicy Ranch Water, strawberry Ranch Water and grapefruit Ranch Water is my personal favorite as I love palomas.

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This drink is also arguably healthy with mineral waters and great for a low calorie diet. I only say Ranch Water is “arguably” healthy per some findings that I cover more in the article below.

It is also great for hangovers since it is just a few ingredients with minimal sugars, fake coloring etc. If you swap a drink like this in for something where you typically drink co*ke, sugary juices or Sprite etc, well you be much happier the next morning.

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What Is Ranch Water?

It is quite simple, just…. tequila, fresh lime juice and Topo Chico sparkling mineral water. You can use any sparkling water or mineral water but for the authentic drink Topo Chico is the original water to use.

Where did Ranch Water Come From

Said to be created by a West Texas rancher in the 1960s and from there has grown to be one of the trendiest drinks around! Topo Chico itself is so popular co*ke paid $220 million to buy the US rights back in 2017.

With Ranch Water originating in West Texas and me being Texas Tech alum, this drink jumps to the top of my favorites list even moreso!

What Are The Best Ranch Water Flavors

Ranch Water is so versatile as mentioned and some of the best variations include making a Spicy Ranch Water with jalapenos, or grapefruit, prickly pear and strawberry flavors!

We will cover how to make those flavored ranch waters just as easily and of course use fresh ingredients when possible for the best tasting co*cktail.

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How do You make Spicy Ranch Water?

Making a spicy Ranch Water is so easy, you just add some muddled jalapenos into the rocks glass and add tajin rim to the glass.

You cut 2-3 coins of jalapenos, remove the seeds, and put them in the bottom of the glass then gently muddle the jalapenos more firmly pressing them to express the juices vs. tear or grind them up.

What Tequila Do You Use For Ranch Water?

Blanco is really what you should use. However, reposado & anejo work as well if you prefer that taste. If you are one of the crazies who enjoys smoky Mezcal then you can of course do that.

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Is Topo Chico Healthy Or Good For You?

Yes and no. Yes it is mineral water including sodium, carbonation, calcium, magnesium, potassium and manganese which is said to help with dehydration and indigestion.Magnesium itself has a ton of great properties for the body.

Furthermore, if you are replacing drinks like co*ke, other sodas or sugary margarita mixes/syrups with Topo Chico as your co*cktail mix, this also is a huge health jump on a myriad of levels.

However, as with anything it might be too good to be true as some major studies found higher levels of PFAS chemicals.

PFAS stand for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and are main made chemicals that have been used since the 1940s and linked to health issues by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

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Topo Chico however has decreased their PFAS allegedly by 1/3rd and apparently is continuing to cut down the amount to get below the ideal amount in waters.

Conclusion: if you are are concerned about PFAS there are lots of mineral and sparkling water substitutes with “approved” levels of PFAS.

I advise to do your own research and make your own conclusion however I personally will drink Topo Chico in moderation and probably substitute different sparkling waters with better PFAS until Topo Chico gets to a lower PFAS level.

Here is a good article on Topo Chico and PFAS for you but please look at more than just one source as with any study and report.

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Best Easy Ranch Water Recipe

How do you make Ranch Water and what even is Ranch Water! All great questions as Ranch Water is taking the country by storm! It is a light & refreshing co*cktail, easy to make, tastes great and also is amazing for limiting hangovers.

The Texas Ranch Water recipe is also the most simple co*cktail on earth just being three ingredients and takes all of 10 seconds to create.

This amazing tequila co*cktail is also so versatile as you can make it your own with multiple variations and flavors!

Print Pin Rate

Course: co*cktails, Drinks

Cuisine: American, Latin American

Keyword: Best Fall co*cktails, healthy co*cktails, Ranch Water, Topo Chico, Topo Chico co*cktails

Prep Time: 1 minute min

Total Time: 1 minute min

Servings: 1 co*cktail

Ingredients

  • 2 oz blanco tequila reposado or anejo also work
  • 1 lime, squeezed or 1-2 ounces of bottled lime juice
  • 4-5 oz Topo Chico or any sparkling water or mineral water
  • Lime wedge garnish

Optional

  • 2-3 coins seeded jalapenos, gently muddled for spicy option
  • 2 oz grapefruit juice or prickly pear syrup or strawberry syrup for a flavor substitution over lime juice

Instructions

  • If using jalapenos, take the seeds out, gently express the juices by gently muddling them but do not tear or crush up the jalapeno.

  • Fill rocks glass with ice. Add in Tequila, lime juice (or flavor substitution), Topo Chico and very gently stir together as to not lose the carbonation.

  • Garnish with lime.

Video

Print Recipe

Tried this recipe?Mention @InspireTravelEat or tag #InspireTravelEat!

Best Easy Ranch Water Recipe | Inspire • Travel • Eat (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for Topo Chico in Ranch Water? ›

What's the best substitute for Topo Chico in ranch water? Use any seltzer or sparking water in place of Topo Chico. You can even use club soda, Pellegrino, or lime-flavor mineral water.

What is the lowest calorie Ranch Water? ›

Ranch Water (131 calories, 6.9% ABV)

The unofficial drink of West Texas, ranch water is a simple, three-ingredient tequila highball drink made with fresh lime juice, tequila, Topo Chico (a brand of sparkling mineral water from Mexico) and a fresh lime wedge for garnish.

What is a Ranch Water made of? ›

So, what exactly is Ranch Water made of? This three-ingredient wonder is made of tequila, lime juice, and sparkling mineral water. You can choose any brand of tequila or sparkling water, though the Drummonds like Casamigos and Topo Chico, respectively.

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

Just fill a highball glass with ice, add tequila and lime juice, and top it off with sparkling mineral water like Top Chico. While the exact origin story is unclear, ranch water supposedly originated in Texas in the 1960s. It's comparable to a skinny margarita but without any added sweetener.

What is the closest thing to Topo Chico? ›

Topo Chico's top competitors include Spindrift Beverage Co., and National Beverage.

What tequila is used in Topo Chico ranch water? ›

The best tequila to use in Ranch Water is a blanco (or silver) variety, such as Espolon or Casamigos. As the name implies, this type of tequila is clear, mild, and, well, most like water. But people who prefer more of a tequila-y flavor might also choose to use mezcal or even reposado.

Is Ranch Water the healthiest drink? ›

The libation has reportedly been around since the 1960s but has gained nationwide popularity in recent years, and for good reason: It's widely considered a healthier alternative to a classic margarita that doesn't skimp on taste and still manages to provide a satisfying buzz.

What is the best ranch for weight loss? ›

Tessemae's Organic Creamy Ranch

Made with high-oleic sunflower oil, this ranch is high in heart-healthy fats while only having 1.5 grams of saturated fat per serving. It's flavored with whole spices and preservative-free while coming in with less than 10% of your daily value for sodium per serving.

Is Ranch Water good for diet? ›

Yes, Ranch Water is a low-calorie drink. It typically contains around 100 calories per serving, making it a healthier option compared to many other alcoholic beverages or sugary mixers.

What is the original Ranch Water? ›

Ranch water is a co*cktail typically made with tequila, lime juice, and Topo Chico sparkling mineral water. It originates in Texas, often traced to an Austin restaurant that opened in 1998.

What is Arizona Ranch water? ›

Arizona Ranch Water is a blend between a hard seltzer and a co*cktail. At just 4.5% ABV, each 12 oz. can boasts just 95 calories, 2 carbs and is 100% gluten-free. The fizzy clear liquid explodes with the perfect balance of fresh fruit and a touch of sweetness from 100% raw Blue Agave.

What is the original flavor of Ranch Water? ›

Our Original Ranch Water hard seltzer is made with a taste of agave nectar and lime.

How do you make Lalo ranch water? ›

Add LALO and lime juice to an ice-filled Collins or highball glass. Top with sparkling mineral water such as Topo Chico. Stir to combine. Garnish with a lime wheel.

Why is ranch water so good? ›

While the simplest comparison to Ranch Water's singular taste is a skinny Margarita, there is one key difference: Unlike a Margarita, Ranch Water doesn't typically include any sweetening agents like orange liqueur (such as Cointreau) or agave. Ranch Water diehards say this is part of what makes the drink so refreshing.

What is another name for ranch water? ›

“[I]t's important to clearly communicate that we use real tequila to make a signature co*cktail known by many as 'Ranch Water' but known by all as 'Tequila Soda,'” says Yuseff Cherney, Cutwater Spirits' co-founder and master distiller.

What is the same as Topo Chico? ›

Like Perrier and San Pellegrino, Topo Chico is a naturally sourced mineral water, which means the naturally carbonated water is collected from a particular spring (in Topo Chico's case, the Cerro del Topo Chico near Monterrey in Northern Mexico).

Does ranch water have to be Topo Chico? ›

Is Topo Chico required for Ranch Water? To make a true Ranch Water co*cktail, Topo Chico is essential — many Texans say the sparkling water brand is a nonnegotiable component of the recipe.

What is as good as Topo Chico? ›

The Verdict

Best Overall: Radenska if you're looking for mineral water, Spindrift for flavored water. Runner Up: Topo Chico (Though I'm adding a personal favorite note for Borjomi, which if you like salt will be one of your favorites too).

Is ranch water the same as hard seltzer? ›

Ranch Water is an incredibly simple co*cktail. There are just three essential ingredients: blanco tequila, lime juice, and seltzer, Topo Chico, ideally. Interestingly enough, Topo Chico does not make the best canned Ranch Water. Like so many other brands, theirs tasted like a glorified citrus-flavored hard seltzer.

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