T-shirt
Why Make It?
Everyone should have a ranch water variation they make and enjoy. One could argue it's a contemporary alternative [or improvement?] to the classic margarita.
T-Shirt adds mezcal and salt to the mix. Both bring layers of interest and flavor to the drink.
Author Thoughts
T-shirt is my perfect ranch water. A typical ranch water includes tequila, mexican sparkling water, and lime. A simple drink that is meant to soothe the dry Texas heat.
T-Shirt has two simple modifications: the addition of salt and mezcal. Both are added in small quantities but have a significant impact. The salt makes a cocktail that is meant to be thirst quenching even more so. The mezcal adds another dimension to the tequila.
Keys to Success
The mixer is the biggest component of highballs or long drinks. The temperature of the sparkling water will have a significant impact on the cocktail. Pouring a room temperature bottle of topo chico will make a more diluted drink with less carbonation. It will also result in a warmer cocktail that is meant to be cold and refreshing. Please chill the sparkling water. You will not regret it.
Equipment
jigger - bar spoon
T-shirt
Makes: 1 Drink | ABV: 7.5% | Total Time: 5 min | Glassware: highball
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz tequila
- 0.75 oz lime
- 4.5 oz sparkling water [topo chico or jarritos]
- 1 barspoon mezcal
- 1-2 pinch salt [3-5 drops]
- lime wedge
Garnish
Instructions
- Prep: Juice a lime. Cut a wedge if using for garnish.
- Build: Add the ice to glass then add the mezcal, tequila and lime. Stir to combine with a bar spoon. Top with sparkling water and lightly stir up and down to combine.
- Serve: Garnish with a lime wedge.
Substitutions
Lime: Consider omitting the lime juice from the recipe and serving with just a lime wedge. Muddling lime would be another interesting option.
Mezcal: Mezcal adds what I am looking for in ranch water. Omit it if you're not into mezcal.
Nutrition
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
This nutrition information is calculated in a database; it is an estimate.
Related Readings
Punch Drink - Veronica Meewes, How Ranch Water Became the Unofficial Cocktail of West Texas - https://punchdrink.com/articles/how-ranch-water-recipe-became-the-unofficial-cocktail-of-west-texas/
