Joe Riley Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 As many of you are no doubt already aware, having probably seen this item in the Post or possibly this cool video, July was "Rickey Month" here in D.C. and the D.C Bartender's Guild sponsored a Rickey cocktail contest among the area's bartenders, and the winner was Central's bar manager Justin Guthrie, with his Black Pepper Gin Rickey. The event took place at Bourbon in Adams-Morgan on Monday, August 4th, and it was loads of fun. All of the participating bartenders were there making their Rickey's during set periods (see the WaPo article and accompanying recipes for more details), and I thought that there was a genuine feeling of excitement as many of us in attendance learned about the wonderful versatility of the Rickey. All of the contestants made compelling Rickeys, any one of which I could be happy with being served to me. Most of the ones in the contest were not the kind that a home bartender could knock off in a few minutes, but that is the fun of the Rickey, it can be very simple or creatively complex. There are very few "rules" when it comes to the Rickey, but it is generally conceded that it has to include soda water or other sparkling component. For example, Cork's Tom Brown (not a participant in the contest, merely an enthusiastic observer) recently made me a Gin Rickey using Boodles Gin, lime juice, simple syrup and prosecco for the bubbles, and it was delicious. Bourbon's Owen Thompson substituted coconut water dispensed from his charger for the bubbles in his Key Lime Rickey (Wild Turkey 101, key lime juice, simple syrup, coriander, Peychaud Bitters, coconut water). Apparently, a sweet component (i.e. simple syrup, honey syrup, etc..) can be used, or not, and you gotta have a lime component in there somewhere, too. If you do a search on the word "Rickey" on CocktailDB.com you will find, as of today, 32 results, and they are all over the place, ingredient-wise. As the press mentioned, the Rickey is one cocktail that D.C. can claim paternity for, and as the D.C. Bartender's Guild has demonstrated, we can claim it with pride. I hope that more bars and restaurants here embrace the Rickey and it becomes as well-known a cocktail for D.C. as the Sazerac is for New Orleans or the Manhattan is for New York. With over a month left in this summer, how about some of you creative Rockwellians (Rockweilers? Rockwelters?) play around with your own Rickey experiments and post your adventures in Rickey-ship right here? Perhaps Don will come up with his own, signature Rockwell Rickey? To borrow a bit of the pending Beijing Olympic's spirit, "Let the games begin!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoramargolis Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Yesterday, Jonathan tried his hand at a "traditional" Rickey. To me, even just thinking about the combination of bourbon and lime juice was a turn-off. He was undeterred by my skepticism, as usual, and plowed ahead using Maker's Mark and sparkling water, since we don't have a seltzer siphon or a charger. Our mutual verdict: blech! A waste of good whiskey. He poured it down the sink, went out and picked some mint and made a mojito, which is a MUCH more felicitous combination of flavors involving alcohol, fresh lime and fizz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 Yesterday, Jonathan tried his hand at a "traditional" Rickey. To me, even just thinking about the combination of bourbon and lime juice was a turn-off. He was undeterred by my skepticism, as usual, and plowed ahead using Maker's Mark and sparkling water, since we don't have a seltzer siphon or a charger. Our mutual verdict: blech! A waste of good whiskey. He poured it down the sink, went out and picked some mint and made a mojito, which is a MUCH more felicitous combination of flavors involving alcohol, fresh lime and fizz. Hmm. Perhaps it needed the sweet component of simple syrup? Maybe the "Colonel" just liked his a little more tart? Gracious, such a shame, Zora Oh well, at least you tried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 This month's Mixology Monday is on "local" cocktails - either a cocktail invented locally or using local ingredients. So over at Scofflaw's Den we'll probably be doing our own rickey variations. I also saw that they posted Kevin's recipe (from Urbana) on the Washington Post site - that was one of my favorites from the rickey competition Monday night so I want to give it a shot making it myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoramargolis Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Hmm. Perhaps it needed the sweet component of simple syrup? Maybe the "Colonel" just liked his a little more tart? Gracious, such a shame, Zora Oh well, at least you tried. We did sweeten it. Too sour/sweet wasn't the issue. It just tasted nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted August 7, 2008 Author Share Posted August 7, 2008 We did sweeten it. Too sour/sweet wasn't the issue. It just tasted nasty. I still give you points for trying Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squidsdc Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 Put in the freezer to get icy cold with ice particles: Stewarts's Key Lime Fountain Classic; Add Rangpur Gin directly to the bottle, swirl to mix and SLURP the deliciousness. It's got the lime, simple syrup (sortof), bubbles and gin...and it's quite tasty even if not it's not really a Rickey! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted August 7, 2008 Share Posted August 7, 2008 That's pretty Rickey-licious though. Gotta admit, I'm going gas-free tonight. A 'ti-punch. Yum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heather Posted August 8, 2008 Share Posted August 8, 2008 The cherry-lime rickey at Corduroy hit the spot tonight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekmbrown Posted August 1, 2009 Share Posted August 1, 2009 Rickey Party This Monday, August 3rd @ Bourbon AM, 6:30 to 10:30 P.M. In celebration of Rickey Month*, the DC Craft Bartenders Guild held a month-long cocktail competition. Now come cheer for your favorite and try the ones you missed at Bourbon in Adams Morgan on August 3rd at the Rickey Party, sponsored by Hendrick’s Gin and Woodford Reserve Bourbon. Votes are being tabulated as we speak and the winner of the "People’s Choice" will be revealed at Bourbon. Special guest judges Katsuya Fukushima of ThinkFoodGroup, Amanda McClements of Metrocurean.com, Going Out Guru Fritz Hahn of the Washington Post, Elba Giron of Weshootcocktails.com and “American Bartender of the Year” Jim Meehan of PDT will confer the Judge’s Award to a second winner for a $1,000 prize! There will be a $10 charge at the door for attendees, which will include one classic Gin or Bourbon Rickey. There will also be multiple cash bars where contestants will be serving their Rickeys, which will be available throughout the party. See you there! *The Rickey is a category of mixed drinks closely resembling a highball made from a base spirit, half of a lime squeezed and dropped in the glass and carbonated water. Little or no sugar is added to the Rickey. Originally created with Bourbon whiskey in Washington, D.C. at Shoomaker’s bar by bartender George A. Williamson, purportedly in collaboration with Democratic lobbyist Colonel Joe Rickey, it became a worldwide sensation when mixed with gin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weinoo Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 It's Rickey month again. Click. And a nice article by Mr. Brown, whose Rickey I hope to sample soon... Clcik here too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted July 12, 2010 Author Share Posted July 12, 2010 Pick up your official D.C. Craft Bartender's Guild "Rickey Passport" (available at all 21 participating bars/restaurants): Againn Jaleo Poste Brasserie PS7 Ripple Wine Bar The Passenger The Tabard Inn Tryst PX Urbana Mie N Yu Bourbon (Glover Park) Room 11 Proof Estadio Chef Geoff's Vermillion Bourbon Steak W Hotel Café Atlantico Bibiana Get 10 (or more!) stamps on your passport and you can enter the final contest on August 2nd at The Passenger for free! Otherwise, it's a $10 entree fee, but that includes a complimentary classic Rickey Note: a couple of participating bars have more than one Rickey to offer, so you can get several Rickeys taken care of with just a couple of stops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted July 12, 2010 Share Posted July 12, 2010 Note: a couple of participating bars have more than one Rickey to offer, so you can get several Rickeys taken care of with just a couple of stops. Yes - The Passenger has four by itself! I've only had two of them. Gotta fix that this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weinoo Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Wonder why Bourbon Adams Morgan isn't on the list? It's where I've made my bones on DC booze. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Pick up your official D.C. Craft Bartender's Guild "Rickey Passport" (available at all 21 participating bars/restaurants): Againn Jaleo Poste Brasserie PS7 Ripple Wine Bar The Passenger The Tabard Inn Tryst PX Urbana Mie N Yu Bourbon (Glover Park) Room 11 Proof Estadio Chef Geoff's Vermillion Bourbon Steak W Hotel Café Atlantico Bibiana Get 10 (or more!) stamps on your passport and you can enter the final contest on August 2nd at The Passenger for free! Otherwise, it's a $10 entree fee, but that includes a complimentary classic Rickey Note: a couple of participating bars have more than one Rickey to offer, so you can get several Rickeys taken care of with just a couple of stops. I'm just reading this for the first time. I'm tempted to do all of these by August 2nd, just because it would be in the normal course of my life to do so. Okay, I can think of two that I'd have to make special trips for. Problem being, too many Rickeys make me Loose-y. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pat Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Okay, I can think of two that I'd have to make special trips for. Is there a prize for guessing which two they are? I think I have a pretty good idea Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Is there a prize for guessing which two they are? I think I have a pretty good idea Ditto! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Is there a prize for guessing which two they are? I think I have a pretty good idea Ditto! Sure about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leleboo Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Sure about that? Nope, just guesses, but still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonRocks Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Nope, just guesses, but still. I caught them in transition that night; Richie Brandenburg has since taken over the kitchen, and I'm always interested in what Jill Zimorski is doing with the wines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Wonder why Bourbon Adams Morgan isn't on the list? It's where I've made my bones on DC booze. 'Cause they're not participating? It's by bartender and the only one from Bourbon this year is Jess Crandall up at the Glover Park location. Both Owen and Patrick, who are both from Bourbon AdMo, are at various Jose Andres places this year (Cafe Atlantico and Jaleo, respectively). fixed Jose's name because I got yelled at Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lperry Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 ... Bourbon's Owen Thompson substituted coconut water dispensed from his charger for the bubbles in his Key Lime Rickey... Brilliant. Just brilliant. Why have I not read this thread previously? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandynva Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 Pick up your official D.C. Craft Bartender's Guild "Rickey Passport" (available at all 21 participating bars/restaurants): Againn Jaleo Poste Brasserie PS7 Ripple Wine Bar The Passenger The Tabard Inn Tryst PX Urbana Mie N Yu Bourbon (Glover Park) Room 11 Proof Estadio Chef Geoff's Vermillion Bourbon Steak W Hotel Café Atlantico Bibiana Get 10 (or more!) stamps on your passport and you can enter the final contest on August 2nd at The Passenger for free! Otherwise, it's a $10 entree fee, but that includes a complimentary classic Rickey Note: a couple of participating bars have more than one Rickey to offer, so you can get several Rickeys taken care of with just a couple of stops. Does anyone know if there's a list of the specific drinks being offered available online? i loved, loved, loved the black pepper/lime rickey available at central a couple summers ago, and would love to have that again, or to be able to determine which are the rickeys i absolutely must sample... also, how will the contest on the 2nd work--will there be samples or smaller sizes of all of the drinks available for purchase, or just the top contenders available in full size? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 Does anyone know if there's a list of the specific drinks being offered available online? The best I could do was the Going Out Gurus guide, where they took a picture of the passport. If you can blow the pic up, then you can see the drinks offered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandynva Posted July 15, 2010 Share Posted July 15, 2010 The best I could do was the Going Out Gurus guide, where they took a picture of the passport. If you can blow the pic up, then you can see the drinks offered. very helpful, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted July 15, 2010 Author Share Posted July 15, 2010 The best I could do was the Going Out Gurus guide, where they took a picture of the passport. If you can blow the pic up, then you can see the drinks offered. Alas, it doesn't tell you what the components of each Rickey are. It's a safe bet that most, if not all of them, are using Labrot & Graham Woodford Reserve Bourbon or Hendrick's Gin as their base (in at least one case, both in the same cocktail!) since Brown-Forman is a sponsor, but after that, it's a free-for-all. I've only tried four so far, and I'm thrilled at the diversity of ingredients and the fun combinations. I sure hope that the D.C. Craft Bartender's Guild is putting together a book someday with all of the different recipes because there really needs to be an accessible record of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted July 17, 2010 Share Posted July 17, 2010 I've only tried four so far, and I'm thrilled at the diversity of ingredients and the fun combinations. I sure hope that the D.C. Craft Bartender's Guild is putting together a book someday with all of the different recipes because there really needs to be an accessible record of them I've managed to have 10 different ones so far, and there are some real winners out there. And, unfortunately, some not-so-good ones. But yes, they all have either Woodford Reserve or Hendrick's in them, since they're sponsoring the contest. (And since I'm off to New Orleans on Sunday for 1.5 weeks, I'll probably be rickey-less until I get back...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaRiv18 Posted July 21, 2010 Share Posted July 21, 2010 With 26 Rickeys (and 21 establishments) participating, this contest has really taken off. I've tried 9 so far and have really been encouraged by this year's submissions. In the past two years, there have been some wonderful submissions, all excellent drinks on their own, but some who really stray far from the original formula of gin/whiskey, lime, ice and soda. This year, the (limited) submissions that I've tried have a tighter nexus to the Rickey's core qualities. So, these are truly riffs, rather than total re-writes, of the Rickey. Hats off to those who work within these more restrictive constraints, I imagine it's much tougher. Finally, I noticed an interesting trend this year in several Rickeys. I've had three that have a salty, mineral-ry quality that is different than any other cocktails I've tried. I'm not saying these cocktails should be (or should not be) considered as front-runners (I'm not a judge of this contest nor do I have any affiliation with the DC Craft Bartender's Guild). But rather, it's really cool how these contests get these guys exploring in the same types of direction, and I feel I've benefited by tasting some new concepts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goodeats Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 BUMP! Tonight's event to end Rickey Month is at The Passenger is $10, starting at 6:30pm. GO! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jparrott Posted August 3, 2010 Share Posted August 3, 2010 Hell of a party! And our own ferment everything made an appearance! In a manner of speaking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenticket Posted July 29, 2011 Share Posted July 29, 2011 As jparrott reminded me (elsewhere), this year's Rickey party is coming up on Monday, 6:00 pm at Jack Rose. A complete list of the competitors is on dcist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Hersch Posted July 30, 2011 Share Posted July 30, 2011 A note on nomenclature: the rickey is a highball, not a cocktail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaRiv18 Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 this year's Rickey party is coming up on Monday, 6:00 pm at Jack Rose. No kidding?? I've seen speakeasies advertise more than this year's Rickey campaign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeanMike Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 No kidding?? I've seen speakeasies advertise more than this year's Rickey campaign. They were hoping Jason Wilson would reveal it because they told him it was a secret. (I probably won't be able to make it, because by the time I found out I'll be stuck in work until at least starting time, and I work in Ashburn. Ah, well.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Riley Posted August 6, 2011 Author Share Posted August 6, 2011 Congratulations to 2011 Rickey Cocktail Contest Winner, PS7's Gina Chersevani and her Rapture of the Rickey! To recap, here are the winners to date: 2011: Gina Chersevani 2010: Alexandra Bookless 2009: Clinton Terry 2008: Justin Guthrie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
petercarrjones Posted August 12, 2011 Share Posted August 12, 2011 Congratulations to 2011 Rickey Cocktail Contest Winner, PS7's Gina Chersevani and her Rapture of the Rickey! To recap, here are the winners to date: 2011: Gina Chersevani 2010: Alexandra Bookless 2009: Clinton Terry 2008: Justin Guthrie Will they post Gina's recipe on the DC craft bartenders guild website, as they've done in the past? Receives the sweet name award too: "Rapture of the Rickey." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPW Posted August 15, 2011 Share Posted August 15, 2011 Alex made me one hell of a rye rickey last night @The Passenger. Good good stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChiantiandFava Posted August 6, 2012 Share Posted August 6, 2012 Anybody know the results of last night's competition? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Dedrick Posted August 7, 2012 Share Posted August 7, 2012 Tabard Inn got the top two places. Timothy Burt's Rangatira Rickey took first place, while Patrick Owens's Rickea took the silver. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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