A hip new cocktail is taking the hard seltzer world by storm. A West Texas delicacy that’s actually a century old, Ranch Water is shaping up to be the coolest drink of summer 2021.
In case you’re unfamiliar with Ranch Water, it has nothing to do with the dip and salad dressing of the same name. Rather, your new favorite RTD is a tequila-based cocktail traditionally made with mineral water (preferably Topo Chico) and fresh lime juice.
“Ranch Water is the perfect all day sippin’ libation, refreshing and crisp with a kick…” said Alana Luger, a senior consultant in brand partnership and influencer marketing, in a LinkedIn post.
Brands big and small (not to mention Topo Chico itself) are racing to release their own takes on this Texas tradition. Not long after Topo Chico’s hard seltzer hit shelves last month, the iconic Mexican mineral water brand announced that it was releasing its own take on the regional favorite.
March also saw Diageo announce that it had acquired Far West Spirits LLC, a beverage company founded by Katie Beal Brown in 2019. It produces Lone River Ranch Water, an early entrant into the space.
In an interview with HSN last year, Beal Brown spoke of her connections to West Texas and why sharing its story and culture is so close to her heart.
“When you look at far West Texas, in a lot of ways, it’s emblematic of the American West and the value sets associated with that,” Beal Brown said of the cocktail’s popularity.
Lone River Ranch Water is available in Prickly Pear, Rio Red Grapefruit, Spicy Jalapeno, and Original Ranch Water. Each 12 oz. can contains 80 calories, 3 grams of carbs, and 4% ABV.
Shotgun is another authentically Texas brand, which expanded its packaging options last year. Fans can enjoy Shotgun Ranch Water in a 12 pack of 12 oz. cans, or in single serve 16 oz. El Jeffe cans.
The company was founded in 2019 by husband and wife team Brad and Lori Foster. While the category is now exploding, two years ago the Fosters were actually first to market with the canned Ranch Water concept.
“When we introduced Ranch Water to the hard seltzer category in 2019, we never expected to see the classic flavor gain so much traction in less than a year,” Brad Foster said at the time of last year’s expansion.
Heineken is fixing to launch its own Ranch Water through its Mexican cerveza brand Dos Equis. The Dutch brewing company’s new RTD should hit Texas area markets starting this month.
Available in 12 packs or single servings, each 12 oz. can contains 180 calories and 4.5% ABV.
Charlottesville, VA’s own Waterbird launched its own Ranch Water RTD in March, proving that the cocktail is popular outside of its home state. It is a little stronger at 5% ABV, yet contains only 100 calories and 1 gram of sugar.
“Simply put- the Waterbird Team knocked it out of the park with every element of the Ranch Water new product development,” said Austin Sawyer of CounterMeasures Solutions Co., on behalf of Waterbird.
With so many new Ranch Waters hitting the market, you don’t have to be in Texas this summer to enjoy the state’s most popular new export.
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