Meet the Slick Rick Cocktail — an adult twist on the Lime Rickey soda I loved as a kid. This bright, refreshing drink combines fresh lime juice, lime-flavored sparkling water, vodka, and grape juice ice cubes for a playful, grown-up beverage that’s as fun to serve as it is to sip.
Before diving into the Slick Rick, it helps to understand the classic Lime Rickey that inspired it.
Lime Rickey Cocktail
The traditional Rickey is a simple highball made with three ingredients, much like the other easy cocktails I enjoy. The classic components are:
- gin or bourbon
- juice from 1/2 lime
- carbonated water or club soda
As a highball, a Rickey is served in a tall glass and balances spirit with a larger proportion of mixer. Think of drinks like gin and tonic, rum and cola, or scotch and soda. For my Slick Rick, I swap gin for vodka so the lime and grape flavors remain bright and clean.
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Ingredients Needed
- vodka
- grape juice
- lime
- lime sparkling water
- grape juice ice cubes
- fresh grapes (optional)
Ice Cube Ingredients
- 8 ounces grape juice
- silicone ice cube tray
Many Lime Rickey–style sodas for kids include sweetened lime syrup; my Slick Rick keeps the nostalgic flavors but adds a grown-up kick from vodka and the playful surprise of grape ice cubes.
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How to Make a Lime Rickey (Slick Rick version)
First — Prepare the grape juice ice cubes: Pour grape juice into a silicone ice cube tray and freeze at least 4 hours. Keep frozen until ready to use.
Second — Build the Slick Rick Cocktail: Cut a lime in half and squeeze the juice into a highball glass. Drop one of the spent lime halves into the glass for aroma.
Third: Add vodka and a splash of grape juice, then add several grape juice ice cubes. Top with lime sparkling water.
Fourth: Stir gently or serve with a cocktail spoon and enjoy. As the grape ice melts it cools the drink, adds a soft purple hue, and slowly releases grape flavor without diluting the drink too quickly.
For the concise recipe and measurements, see the recipe card below.
Rickey Soda Variations
The Rickey template is popular at drive-thru and quick-service spots, and you’ll find many variations such as:
- Sonic grape limeade
- Arctic Circle lime rickey
- Firehouse Subs cherry limeade
Why Vodka for the Slick Rick
Choosing vodka allows the lime and grape notes to remain prominent. The cocktail uses a small addition of grape juice in the drink itself and more in the frozen cubes. Those cubes gradually introduce grape flavor and color while keeping the drink chilled and concentrated.
If you prefer a nonalcoholic option, omit the vodka for a delightful mocktail that keeps all the fun and flavor.
Slick Rick Cocktail – Grape Lime Rickey with Vodka
Ingredients
Slick Rick Cocktail
- 2 ounces vodka
- 0.5 ounces grape juice
- 1 lime cut in half, juiced
- 4 ounces lime sparkling water I prefer Key Lime LaCroix for this one
- 3 grape juice ice cubes
- 1/2 cup fresh grapes optional
Grape Juice Ice Cubes
- 8 ounces grape juice
- silicone ice cube tray
Instructions
Prepare the Grape Juice Ice Cubes
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Pour the grape juice into the ice cube tray and freeze at least 4 hours.
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Keep frozen until ready to use.
Make the Slick Rick Cocktail
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Cut the lime in half and juice into a highball glass.
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Add one of the lime halves to the glass.
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Pour in the vodka and grape juice.
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Add a few grape juice ice cubes to the glass.
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Top with lime sparkling water.
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Serve with a cocktail spoon or stir and enjoy.
Notes
Nutrition
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