Raspberry lime rickey

Raspberry lime rickeys are a summertime treat that seem to be pretty specific to the Northeast (at least, none of my friends elsewhere seem to know about them). I have read on the internet that in New York/New Jersey they often use cherry-flavored syrup instead of raspberry. And there is also a plain version without any additional flavoring.

The drink is just club soda, lime juice, and the syrup. In the plain version, you might add a little bit of sugar. I use Torani sugar-free raspberry syrup, but have also used Monin in the past. The Torani syrup has more coloring in it. It’s a descendant of the gin rickey, which obviously includes gin, and there is also a variation that uses whiskey. I really prefer the non-alcoholic version. I also like a lot of lime juice, so I use a full lime’s worth in mine, plus I usually throw in the juiced lime. The contrast of the sweet raspberry and the tart lime juice is really good. I like it better than fresh squeezed lemonade on a hot summer day (though I do like lemonade)

Here in New England, it’s usually seasonal, because you most often find it as an offering at ice cream stands. But you can find it all year ’round in the right places.