Texas Ranch Water is a refreshing 3-ingredient cocktail recipe. It's the easiest tequila cocktail you can make at home. With just 4 carbs and around 100 calories, this keto & low-calorie drink makes celebrating simple.
This ranch water recipe is what is in the original cocktail and nothing like what comes in most store-bought canned drinks that are just not quite the same. Enjoy a glass with a batch of my Naked Chicken Wings for a yummy pairing.
For the best Texas Ranch Water drink, try this quick & easy recipe that you can enjoy in no time at all. The refreshing drink is my favorite low-calorie & keto-friendly cocktail for hot summer days.
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Where did Ranch Water Originate?
I bet you are wondering if this really was first made in Texas. Well yes it did start in the border state close to Mexico. Ranch water is believed to have originated in West Texas with ranchers in the 1960s.
Think of ranch water as the smooth straightforward cousin of a margarita. It has gained popularity across all the states in recent years. This is for good reason too, since ranch water is cool, light, bubbly, and refreshing.
Texas Ranch Water Ingredients
For a traditional ranch water beverage, you only need 3 simple ingredients. The important part of this cocktail recipe is to make sure you have fresh quality ingredients and not substitutions.
The Topo Chico mineral water is a key ingredient in making a ranch water cocktail. The earthy mineral flavor with a lot of carbonation. Don't use Seltzer or lime-lime soda, that is not what this drink is. To find out why, read about Ranch Water - Origin of the Name.
Here is what you need:
- Tequila - Blanco is traditionally used such as Casamigos, enjoy your favorite brand 100% agave tequila including Kirkland, Patron, 1800, or Don Julio.
- Topo Chico - the bottled mineral water is the classic carbonated mixer.
- Lime - fresh citrus juice & slices for garnish.
See the Recipe Card below for amounts & instructions.
How to Make a Ranch Water Cocktail
The art of making any cocktail is to make sure it is chilled and you have all the best ingredients. You will want 2 high ball glasses for this cocktail recipe. Straws are optional but we like them.
First, prep the limes by cutting half of one in slices for garnish, and the rest of the lime will be squeezed to use the juice.
Here is how to make 2 Texas Ranch Water cocktails -
- Fill two high ball glasses halfway with ice cubes
- Add 1.5 shots (2.75 oz) of tequila in each glass
- Divide the lime juice and pour half in each glass
- Fill each glass with Topo Chico (about ½ the bottle each)
- Add a straw and stir gently
- Garnish with lime slices
The Best Low-Carb/Keto Cocktail
Ranch water cocktail is the ideal drink for those on a low-carb or ketogenic diet. Similar to my Keto Lemonade Concentrate, there are no added simple syrup, sugars, or high-calorie sweeteners.
It is IMPORTANT to use 100% agave tequila only, no other kinds. This is because it is lower in calorie and sugar (carbs) than other types.
Since the recipe includes mineral water, lime juice, and tequila the carbs in ranch water are very low. Each ranch water per the recipe here is under 120 calories & 4 carbs.
FAQ
An unaged light colored (blanco) tequila with 100% agave is best. Any brand is fine but this is not the time to use a gold or pricey sipping tequila. Keep it simple & inexpensive.
This recipe keeps it light. Each drink is only 120 calories & 4 carbs. All the yum & none of the guilt.
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Texas Ranch Water (keto & low-calorie)
Equipment
- High Ball Glasses
Ingredients
- 3 shots tequila blanco 1.5 shots per cocktail
- 2 limes
- 6.5 ounces Topo Chico Mineral Water 1 bottle
- ice
Instructions
- Fill two high ball glasses halfway with ice cubes.
- Add 2 shots (3 oz) of tequila in each glass.
- Slice each lime in half. Cut 2 slices of lime to reserve as garnish. Juice the rest of the limes. You will want about 1.5oz of lime juice per drink. Divide the lime juice and pour half in each glass
- Fill each glass with Topo Chico (about ½ the bottle each)
- Add a straw and stir gently. Garnish with lime slices.
- Enjoy
Notes
- 1.5 ounces per shot or 2.75 ounces per cocktail
- Using 100% agave tequila is what keeps this low in sugar. Other tequilas will have a higher sugar/carb content.
Nutrition
More Keto Recipes
Enjoy a low-carb happy hour by pairing this beverage with these keto appetizers and snacks:
AJ says
My favorite cocktail. So easy and not sweet like margaritas. I make these all the time and everyone loves them.