As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nothing is more refreshing on a hot day than this lemon lime rickey.
Soda Fountain Favorite
There wasn’t a candy store with a soda fountain in New York City that didn’t serve lime rickeys. It’s what they call an “old standby,” and growing up in Brooklyn, I drank many of these.
Of course to be authentic, you absolutely must use U-Bet syrups. I’ve found the chocolate pretty easy to find, but the so-called commercial flavors such as lime or cherry seem to be totally unavailable in any store. So any rendition you make won’t be totally NY authentic, but that doesn’t mean it won’t taste dandy.
Cherry Or Not
Traditionally, a lime rickey has a spritz of cherry syrup added. Look, I grew up with this and couldn’t understand it then and still don’t now. But as they say, “It is what it is,” and I shrug.
Back then (as now) I’d ask for this minus the cherry accents because I really like the nice, tart taste of lime. I find it very refreshing and cooling too. If you want it more traditional, they do sell a cherry lime syrup and it’s made by Torani–who make the syrups for coffee. A lower-calorie selection would be cherry lime ICE.
Make It A Slushie
However you choose to make this, it is easily made like a slushie–and that’s how I love my version.
What I do is not defrost the limeade concentrate. I put it frozen in the blender along with the other liquid ingredients and let ‘er rip. This is wonderful on a hot day when it’s served immediately. And yes, you can add some vodka for a grown-up version.
I also add sherbet or lemon ice to make it like a float. I prefer lime sherbet but I haven’t been able to find it in my local stores. Why I don’t know, but I took someone else’s suggestion and used lemon Italian ice. That’s pretty easy to find and it adds a lemon-lime dimension. And there you have a lemon lime rickey!
The Recipe
Lemon-Lime Rickey
Ingredients
- 12 oz can frozen limeade concentrate
- 18 oz lime flavored seltzer
- 1 tbs lime juice
- 1/2 cup Italian lemon ice
- 1 drop green food coloring optional
- 1/2 cup vodka optional
Instructions
- Place frozen limeade concentrate in a blender along with the seltzer, lime juice, food coloring (if using) and vodka (if using).
- Pulse blender a few times to blend ingredients and its the consistency of a slushy.
- Pour into glasses and top with the Italian ice.
- Makes 2 generous servings.
Angelina says
Sounds super refreshing & delicious, so I plan to make it very soon. I don’t remember soda fountains, but my grandma sure does, since she worked at Woolworth’s between high school & college. I never experienced this particular drink, but there was a locally owned & operated soft drink business which made Lime Rickey soda, among many other wonderful flavors. It was delicious on it’s own, but many grown ups added spirits into it. I don’t know what they used, but I’m sure it was one of the following; Gin, Vodka, or Rum. I forgot all about it, but it sure sounds good to me now! I’ll ask my mom exactly how they made it. Cheers!
Judith Hanneman says
You sure can add a bit of adult liquid to this. I think vodka would be best 🙂