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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Rum Rickey

Rum Rickey is a cocktail made with Light Rum, Fresh Lime Juice, and Soda Water. The listed recipe is built and served in a Highball Glass.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic20.2% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

151 kcalCalories
20.2%ABV
1gSugar
5gCarbs
1.46Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Pour rum and lime juice into ice-filled Highball glass.Pour
  2. Fill with soda water and stir.Stirred
  3. Add lime.Add

How to Serve

Glass
Highball Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Stirred
Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serving tips

Serve Rum Rickey tall or well chilled where appropriate. Good ice and enough dilution help the drink stay refreshing from first sip to last. It is commonly matched with seafood, ceviche, salads style pairings.

Taste

What does Rum Rickey taste like?

Rum Rickey is a longer, more refreshing style of drink. Bubbles, citrus, mixer or dilution help make it easier to sip than a short spirit-forward cocktail.

Primary flavours

SparklingCitrus

Supporting notes

VanillaTart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
  • Dry finish
  • Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

When to choose it

How to decide if Rum Rickey is right for you

Rum Rickey is a good fit when you want a longer, colder and easier-drinking cocktail. Choose it for refreshment rather than intensity. The listed serve is about 20.2% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Rum Rickey if...

Skip Rum Rickey if you want a short, intense or spirit-forward cocktail. Longer refreshing drinks are built for cold drinkability rather than concentrated strength.

When to serve

  • SummerSuggested from its citrus and sparkling notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVeganVegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Light Rum2.0 oz

Aged RumKnown variation
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners only if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes
Aged rum can replace light rum when a fuller, oakier variation is acceptable.
Dark RumWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners if the result becomes too heavy.
What changes
Dark rum can replace light rum when a deeper, heavier rum profile is welcome.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Fresh Lime Juice2.0 oz

Lemon JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes
Lemon juice can usually replace lime juice, but the drink becomes less tropical and more lemon-forward.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Soda Water

Carbonated WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Carbonated water is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Club SodaGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Club soda is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Sparkling WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Sparkling water is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Tonic WaterNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Use only if you want a tonic-style drink.
What changes
Tonic water is not a neutral replacement for soda water; it adds bitterness and sweetness.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

Can I make a Rum Rickey at home?
Yes. The Rum Rickey uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Highball Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.