The Cherry Lime Rickey: A Washington D.C. Soda Fountain Classic

The Cherry Lime Rickey is one of the great forgotten American drinks — a soda fountain classic that predates the Shirley Temple by half a century and shares its DNA with one of the most important cocktails in American history. Bright, tart, and genuinely refreshing, it is the kind of drink that makes you wonder why it ever fell out of fashion.

The Rickey — the drink from which the Cherry Lime Rickey descends — was invented in the 1880s at Shoomaker's bar in Washington, D.C., one of the most famous watering holes in nineteenth-century America. The establishment, located near the White House on E Street, was the unofficial headquarters of Washington's political class, and it was here that Colonel Joe Rickey, a Democratic lobbyist from Missouri, collaborated with bartender George A. Williamson to create a new drink.

The original Rickey was made with bourbon (later gin became the more popular spirit), fresh lime juice, and carbonated water — served over ice in a tall glass. It was a deliberately dry, unsweetened drink — the antithesis of the sweet cocktails that dominated the era. Colonel Rickey, who was known for his temperance leanings (despite his heavy imbibing), had requested a drink that was less sweet than the fashionable cocktails of the day.

The Rickey became one of the most popular drinks in America, and when Prohibition arrived in 1920, the non-alcoholic version — the Lime Rickey — flourished in soda fountains across the country. The Cherry Lime Rickey, which adds cherry syrup or grenadine to the lime and soda, became a staple of the American soda fountain and remained popular through the mid-twentieth century.

About the Ingredients

The Cherry Lime Rickey requires only three elements, but each must be right. **Carbonated water** should be vigorous and clean — Topo Chico is the benchmark for American sparkling water, with its exceptionally fine, persistent bubbles. San Pellegrino is an excellent alternative.

Fresh lime juice is non-negotiable. Bottled lime juice is pasteurised and lacks the volatile aromatic oils that give fresh lime its distinctive fragrance. Roll the limes firmly on the counter before juicing to release the maximum juice.

Cherry syrup should be real — made from cherries, not artificial flavouring. Liber & Co Cherry Syrup, Sonoma Syrup Co, or homemade cherry syrup (see below) are all excellent. Grenadine (real pomegranate grenadine) also works beautifully.

Ingredients (serves 6): - 3 oz fresh lime juice (about 6–8 limes) - 6 oz cherry syrup or real pomegranate grenadine - 24 oz chilled sparkling water (Topo Chico or San Pellegrino) - Ice - Fresh lime wheels and Luxardo maraschino cherries for garnish

For Homemade Cherry Syrup: Combine 1 cup water and 1 cup granulated sugar in a saucepan. Heat until sugar dissolves. Add 1 cup fresh or thawed frozen sweet cherries (pitted). Simmer 10 minutes until cherries soften and release their colour. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing firmly. Cool completely. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice to preserve colour. Keeps refrigerated up to 2 weeks.

Instructions: Fill tall Collins glasses with ice. Pour ½ oz lime juice and 1 oz cherry syrup into each glass. Top slowly with 4 oz chilled sparkling water, pouring down the side of the glass to preserve the bubbles. The cherry syrup will create a vivid pink-red gradient through the clear soda. Garnish with a lime wheel on the rim and a Luxardo maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick.

Batch (serves 12): - 6 oz lime juice - 12 oz cherry syrup - 48 oz sparkling water, added at service - Set out a pitcher of the lime-cherry mixture alongside a chilled bottle of sparkling water and a bowl of cherries and lime wheels.

Variations: - Replace cherry syrup with raspberry syrup for a Raspberry Lime Rickey of equal brightness. - Add 2–3 fresh mint leaves per glass (slapped between palms first) for a Mint Cherry Lime Rickey. - Use ginger beer instead of sparkling water for a Cherry Lime Ginger Rickey with a spicy kick.

Pairing: The Cherry Lime Rickey pairs beautifully with American diner and soda fountain classics — burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and fries. Its tartness and carbonation make it an excellent palate cleanser alongside rich, fried foods. It is also a natural companion to brunch dishes that feature eggs and bacon — the acid and bubbles cut through the richness.

Pro Tips: The key to a great Cherry Lime Rickey is balance — the lime should provide a bright, tart backbone, the cherry should add fruity sweetness without overwhelming, and the soda should provide effervescence and dilution. Taste the cherry-lime mixture before adding the soda and adjust the sweetness — cherry syrups vary enormously in sugar content. The drink should be served very cold — chill the glasses, use plenty of ice, and ensure the sparkling water is properly refrigerated.

Reference Links: - Wikipedia — Rickey (cocktail): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rickey_(cocktail) - Serious Eats — Lime Rickey Soda Fountain History: seriouseats.com/lime-rickey-soda-fountain-history - DC250 — History of the Rickey: dc250.us/visit-dc/history-of-the-rickey-cocktail - American Prohibition Museum — Gin Rickey: americanprohibitionmuseum.com/cocktails/gin-rickey - Sipsmith — Gin Rickey History: sipsmith.com/around-the-world-in-50-classic-cocktails-the-gin-rickey - Topo Chico: topochico.com