Raspberry Ranch Water

Ranch Water is one of those simple cocktails that really shouldn’t be over-fed. This light and refreshing drink can be easily overwhelmed when you add lots of intense flavors to the cocktail, which is why I keep it simple by adding just a little bit of homemade raspberry syrup.

A classic Texas Ranch Water Cocktail consists of just three ingredients: tequila, lime juice and Topo Chico sparkling water. But to be honest, I couldn’t help but try some variation on a drink I loved, and turns out a little spritz of homemade raspberry syrup makes this cocktail taste like summer in a glass.

You can easily turn this drink into a mocktail too! Simply mix the syrup with some fresh lime and Topo Chico for an equally refreshing sipper!

How to make fresh raspberry syrup

Place the fresh berries, water, sugar, and lemon juice in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. The sugar will quickly dissolve and while cooking, mash the berries with a spoon. They will break down and give the syrup an incredible red color.

If you can’t find good fresh raspberries, you can use frozen fruit for this syrup. It might have a little less flavor and less red color, but it definitely works in a syrup like this.

Be sure to strain the raspberries out of the syrup with a fine-mesh strainer to remove the seeds, and you’ll end up with a nice, smooth syrup.

Store this syrup in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, or divide into ice cube trays and freeze for later use.

Quick Cooling Hack: If you have done this and want to use the syrup immediately, pour the hot syrup into a metal mixing bowl and place the mixing bowl on top of a larger bowl filled with ice water. The ice water in the surrounding bowl will quickly cool the syrup and you can use it right away.

Is Topo Chico required for Ranch Water?

Wondering if the city of Austin will permanently ban you for using any other sparkly brand? Probably not.

Topo Chico is the standard as it is heavily carbonated and adds more fizz to your cocktail than other brands of sparkling water. While it’s not strictly necessary, you should at least try it on the original mixer before cranking it up.

Production of large batches of ranch water

I originally wanted to make this cocktail as a pitcher drink, but that doesn’t really work because the Topo Chico loses its fizz if left in the pitcher for too long.

If you want to make larger batches of this cocktail, you can combine the syrup and tequila in glasses according to the ratio in the recipe, then simply pour over ice and add Topo Chico when the time comes!

Substitutions and Variations

If you want to vary the syrup, you can use any berry or even watermelon. Adding other spirits is fine, but not necessary in my opinion. I think simple is best with this one.

More delicious cocktails with tequila

Classic margarita
Blueberry Pitcher Margaritas
Long Island Iced Tea
Classic Paloma cocktail
Ranch Water Cocktail

preparation time
2 minutes

total time
2 minutes

portions
2 cocktails

For this cocktail, you can use a 12 ounce highball glass, which will end up being a lighter cocktail with more sparkling water, or an 8 ounce tumbler glass for a stronger drink.

One, 12 ounce, Topo Chico makes 2 drinks.

For the simple raspberry syrup

6 ounces fresh raspberries
1 Cup water
1 Cup sugar
1/2 Lemon, juiced

For the cocktail

3 ounces White tequila
2 tablespoon raspberry syrup
1 limequartered
1 (12–ounce) Bottle Top Chico Mineral water

For garnish

lime slices
raspberries

Make the simple raspberry syrup:

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine raspberries, water, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer, allowing a few bubbles to rise to the surface.

Reduce the heat to low to keep the syrup at a low simmer. While the syrup is simmering, mash the berries with a spoon until they fall apart. Continue cooking for 2-3 minutes.

Set a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl or reusable glass container. Pour the raspberry mixture through a sieve. Squeeze the berries with a spoon to extract as much syrup as possible. Dispose of the solids. Cool the syrup before using.
Divide the tequila and syrup between two glasses:

Fill two glasses with ice. Add 1 1/2 ounces of tequila and 1 tablespoon of raspberry syrup to each cocktail glass.
Slice lime:

Squeeze a lime segment into each glass. You have half a lime left over, save for your second round, use as a garnish or if you prefer more lime, add more!
Fill up with mineral water and serve:

Fill up the glasses with Topo Chico mineral water. Add a few lime wedges or wheels and raspberries to any drink. Serve immediately.