1960 The U K B G Guide to Drinks (3 rd edition revised)

Part n

SECTION XXI

RICKEYS

A long drink cousin of the Collins. Whilst the origin of the Collins is somewhat obscure it seems pretty clear that the Rickey is an American drink. To quote Jack Townsend,President of the Bartenders Union of New York, in his recent book The Batienders Book: Not nearly so obscure is the origin of the Gin Rickey, a drink which can be traced not only to the city—Washington but also to the restaurant. Shoemaker's. At this popular oasis on a dusty summer's afternoon before the turn of the century, according to the most reliable legends, a bartender squeezed hmes into gin and hosed the unsweetened result with a siphon. His first customer for the potation was "Colonel Jim"Rickey, a lobbyist whose first name was really Joe, and whose military title probably was of the honorary Kentucky variety. Shoemaker's was known as "the third house of Congress"and Congressional patrons who knew the "Cunnel" bestowed his name upon the drink."

Use small tumbler. Squeeze juice of 1/2 Lime or Lemon into tumbler and add also the rind of the fruit itself. Add 1 lump of ice and 2 oz. of the spirit desired. Stir and fill with soda.

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