According to my extensive Lime Rickey research (ahem searching Wikipedia): most rickeys are made with gin…[while the drink] also known as a lime rickey, particularly in its virgin cocktail variant [is] served at soda fountains on the U.S. east coast.
Since we know Mr. Burns went to Yale, which will always be first in gentlemanly club life, we know that he has spent at least four years on the U.S. east coast. But the real question is: which kind of Lime Rickey is he drinking when he’s interrupted by his son? Is it the alcoholic or non-alcoholic variety? Since the beverage is in a decidedly soda fountain-esque cup, I’m going to guess non-alcoholic, but I made the alcoholic one too. Larry Burns would certainly approve of this approach.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Lime Juice
- 2 ounces Simple Syrup (optional for the alcoholic version)
- 8 ounces Carbonated water
- 1-2 ounces of Gin (for the alcoholic version)
Directions
Non-Alcoholic: Fill a tall glass with ice. Add lime juice, simple syrup, and top with carbonated water.
Alcoholic: Fill a shaker with ice. Add lime juice and gin and shake until mixed. Pour into an ice filled glass and top with carbonated water.
Apparently an alcoholic Lime Rickey contains very little sugar, which is why the simple syrup is listed as optional. However, I’m not really a fan of gin so I found the added sugar quite necessary. But even by sweetening things up, I still wasn’t much of a fan of this drink. Although I did enjoy the alcohol part!
The non-alcoholic Lime Rickey was ok, but kind of bland. Given that Mr. Burns doesn’t like “ethnic food” (including donuts) a bland drink like this seems basically perfect for him. I guess that’s why he’s enjoying it so much before he meets his son. And well, the night takes a downturn from there anyway so it’s probably good he had that moment of enjoyment.
Cromulence: Non-Alcoholic 6 Too Many Grandmas out of 10 / Alcoholic 5 Too Many Grandmas out of 10
Lime Rickey Recipe From: Burns, Baby Burns (The Simpsons Season 8 – Episode 4)