From Cleo Coyle: The heat is on across the country. Here in NYC we've been in the upper 90s with our high humidity putting the real-feel temperatures around 100. But my husband and I have a remedy. To borrow a phrase from Washington, DC, bartender Derek Brown, Chief Spirits Advisor to the National Archives, this baby is...
"Air conditioning in a glass"
Our Virgin "Gin" Lime Rickey is a sweet-tart marvel. This recipe is close to the classic version with a few shortcuts to make it especially easy, because on hazy days, we're lazy, even when it comes to making drinks.
You can adjust the ingredients to you taste, and we'll even show you a non-virgin version that's just as good. Either way, we hope you find this summer drink as refreshing as we do. Now let's start pouring...
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Cleo Coyle writes two bestselling mystery series with her husband. To learn more, click here. |
The "gin" in this virgin version of a lime rickey is ginger ale, and the shortcut we use is "Simply Limeade." Look for this tartly refreshing beverage in your grocery store's refrigerated section. If your local store doesn't carry it, you can make your own by stirring sugar syrup into fresh lime juice (sweeten to your own taste).
🍈 Cleo's Lazy Virgin
"Gin" Lime Rickey
Ingredients:
1 fresh lime
Ice
Simply Limeade (or see my *note below)
Simply Limeade (or see my *note below)
Ginger ale (regular or diet)
Directions: Cut the lime in half. Slice off a "lime wheel" (see photo below) and set it aside. Pour ice into a chilled glass (tall or short, your choice). Fill one third of the glass with chilled limeade. Pour in cold, freshly opened ginger ale, stopping short of the top. Squeeze the juice from half of the lime over the ginger ale. For a more tart drink, use the juice from the remaining half, as well. Stir gently, float the lime wheel on top, and enjoy!
*Note: As a substitute for Simply Limeade, stir sugar syrup into freshly squeezed lime juice (sweeten to your own taste).
*Note: As a substitute for Simply Limeade, stir sugar syrup into freshly squeezed lime juice (sweeten to your own taste).
🍈 Cleo's Lazy Gin
Lime Rickey
Lime Rickey
Ingredients:
1 fresh lime
Ice
Gin
Simply Limeade (*or see my note above)
Simply Limeade (*or see my note above)
Ginger ale (regular or diet)
Directions: Cut the lime in half. Slice off a "lime wheel" (see photo above) and set it aside. Add ice to a chilled glass. Pour in the gin--as far as amounts, I like a splash while my husband goes for a full shot, your choice. By pouring the gin in first, you're giving it a nice chill before you build the drink.
Now add the chilled limeade until the halfway mark. Top with cold, freshly opened ginger ale, stopping short of the rim. Squeeze the juice from half of the lime over the ginger ale. For a more tart drink, use the juice from the remaining half, as well. Stir gently, float the lime wheel on top, and...
Stay cool out there!
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Eat, Drink (and Read) with joy!