Ranch Water

Making Ranch Water

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1. Run a lime wedge round the rim of a tall glass and dip it in fine salt, if you like a salted rim.

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2. Fill the glass with ice. Pour in the tequila and lime juice.

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3. Top up with the sparkling mineral water and stir once, gently, to keep the bubbles.

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4. Garnish with the lime wedge and serve at once.

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Tips for Making Ranch Water

• Use a blanco tequila made from 100 per cent agave. Cheap mixed tequilas have a harsh, sweet taste that the lime cannot cover.
• Squeeze the lime juice fresh, just before mixing. Bottled juice is flat and slightly bitter.
• Keep the sparkling water in the fridge until the last second and stir only once. The drink is only as good as its bubbles, and a mineral water with plenty of dissolved minerals adds a faint saltiness that suits the tequila and the lime.

Changing the Recipe

• Lemon is the everyday swap for lime in this kind of dish — the acidity plays the same role even though the flavour is not identical.

What to Serve with Ranch Water

• Tacos
• Guacamole and chips
• Grilled shrimp

Storing & Reheating Ranch Water

Best made to order. Once the sparkling water is added, it goes flat in minutes, so build the drink in the glass and drink it while it is cold and fizzy.

Ranch Water: Questions and Answers

The Numbers per Serving

Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.