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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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