Ranch Water

Ranch water is a Texas-style tequila highball drink made with lime, tequila and Topo Chico! This bubbly cocktail is all about cooling off on hot days.

Move over, Aperol spritz. There’s a new bubbly cocktail that’s ready to take over the summer. Meet Ranch Water! Yes, Ranch Water is the unofficial drink of West Texas, essentially a tequila highball made with lime juice and Topo Chico. One of our dearest friends, a Texan, suggested we try this drink…and after one sip it blew us away! It’s like a bubbly, lighter version of the classic margarita, with all the tangy lime but less sweetness and booze. Could there be anything more refreshing? (We think not.)

What’s Ranch Water? Why is it called that?

Ranch Water is a tequila highball cocktail that hails from West Texas. No one knows exactly how it came to be, or even how it got the name. Some people say a Texas rancher invented it in the 1960’s. Whatever the case, Ranch Water was a word-of-mouth drink until around 2010, when bartenders in Texas started adding it to their menus. The ingredients in Ranch Water are:

• Tequila
• Lime juice
• Topo Chico mineral water

Die hards of this drink claim it’s not Ranch Water unless it’s made with Topo Chico, that Mexican mineral water brand sold in the distinctive bottles. Of course you could make it with another brand: but Topo Chico seals the deal for us.

How to make Ranch Water

There’s really no science to Ranch Water! Because it was a word-of-mouth cocktail for so long, it’s more about vibe than anything. Really, you can use as much lime, tequila, and soda water as you’d like. Keep those bubbles on hand to refresh your drink, when you need it. Here’s the art to making Ranch Water:

• Place 2 shots of tequila in a glass (3 ounces).
• Mix in the juice of 1 lime (that’s about 1 1/2 ounces).
• Fill the glass with ice and top it off with Topo Chico (about 1/2 cup).

What tequila to use

The better the tequila, the better the drink! Ranch Water isn’t the most sophisticated of cocktails, so we wouldn’t require pulling out the top shelf stuff. Try finding a mid-price range tequila: typically this correlates to the quality of the alcohol. You can use either tequila blanco (“new” or un-aged tequila) or tequila reposado (aged) here. The aged tequila has more nuance in flavor, and makes for a more interesting drink.

More great highball cocktails to beat the heat!

What’s a highball? A highball cocktail is a family of mixed drinks that combine alcohol with a larger percentage of non-alcoholic mixer. There are lots of famous highballs like the good old gin and tonic or vodka cranberry. Here are a few more highballs that are perfect for hot weather:

• Vodka Tonic One of the easiest mixed drinks of all time! This two-ingredient cocktail is bubbly, citrusy, and refreshing.
• Whiskey Highball Tall, bubbly, and all about the spirit! A refreshing way to enjoy your favorite whiskey.
• Sea Breeze A classic highball that’s easy to make! Starring vodka, cranberry, and grapefruit on lots of ice, it’s ultra refreshing.

When to serve Ranch Water

Ranch Water is a carefree highball drink that’s perfect for sipping as a:

• Summer drink
• Happy hour drink
• Dinner party drink
• Guys or girls night drink
• Cocktail hour drink
• Birthday celebration drink (Happy Birthday, Dan!)

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Ranch Water (Best Summer Cocktail!)

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(15 votes, average: 4.87 out of 5)

4.9 from 15 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 3 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 3 minutes
• Yield: 1 drink
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Ranch water is a Texas-style tequila highball drink made with lime, tequila and Topo Chico! This bubbly cocktail is all about cooling off on hot days. 

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Ingredients

• 3 ounces (6 tablespoons) tequila
• 1 1/2 ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 4 ounces (1/2 cup) Topo Chico or other sparkling mineral water
• For the garnish: lime wedge
• Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)

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Instructions

1. Add the tequila and lime juice to highball glass and stir.
2. Fill with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with a lime wedge.

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• Category: Drink
• Method: Mixed
• Cuisine: Cocktails

Keywords: Ranch Water, Tequila Highball

Did you make this recipe?

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A few more tequila drinks

If you love tequila, we’ve got a few more tequila cocktails to try:

• 15 Best Margarita Recipes Yes, we’ve got 15 variations on this classic tequila drink! Some favorites: Mezcal, Jalapeño and Skinny.
• Paloma Cocktail Combine tequila and grapefruit and you’ve got the classic Mexican paloma cocktail!
• Tequila Sunrise This vibrant cocktail layers the colors of a summer sunrise using tequila, orange and grenadine.
• Mexican Mule This tequila-based spin on the classic Moscow mule is perhaps even better than the original!

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Roasted Mushrooms

You won’t be able to stop eating these roasted mushrooms! Meaty, tender and juicy, they’ll make a mushroom lover out of anyone.

Here’s our favorite new way to cook mushrooms: baked in the oven! Yes, these roasted mushrooms can convert even mushroom haters into die-hard fans. Tender and meaty, topped with fresh herbs, you might not be able to stop eating them. Alex and I whipped these up the other day, and we couldn’t stop eating them. In fact, we inhaled them in just a few minutes. These mind-blowing sauteed mushrooms were at the top of our list…but the roasted version is just as irresistible.

How to make roasted mushrooms: tips!

Roasted mushrooms are easy to make: the longest part of cooking them is simply waiting for the oven to preheat! They come out just as good as sauteed mushrooms, but they’re totally hands off. Pop them in the oven and you’re free to finish the rest of the meal. Here are a few things to know about how to roast mushrooms:

• Use baby bella mushrooms for best flavor. See the section below!
• Cut them in half. While you might think you’d slice them, roasted mushrooms are best halved: so they stay perfectly juicy and don’t shrink.
• Bake at high heat. 450 degrees Fahrenheit is perfect to cook mushrooms quickly until they’re juicy and tender. All you need is 10 minutes!
• Season with fresh herbs. This seals the deal and takes these roasted mushrooms over the top.

The best variety of mushroom to roast

The best variety of mushroom to roast is baby bella mushrooms (also called cremini). Why?

• Baby bella mushrooms have a robust flavor. This variety is a more mature version of a white button mushroom, so it has a more robust flavor. It’s also a baby version of a portobello mushroom, which has the most meaty flavor. You can substitute white button mushrooms if you can’t find baby bella aka cremini mushrooms.
• Use portobello mushrooms if you like! Portobello mushrooms have great flavor: they just have a different look. You can easily use them here: just remove the stems and chop the caps into bite-sized pieces.

Fresh herbs to use

Fresh herbs add just the right touch for these roasted mushrooms! While they’re not required, they certainly take them to the next level. We used fresh chives and thyme, which we happened to have on hand. You can use any mix of herbs, but here are some that pair well with mushrooms:

• Chives
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Basil

You also can use dried herbs in a pinch! We recommend Italian seasoning or a mix of dried thyme and dried oregano. Anytime you substitute dried herbs for fresh, use half the amount.

Ways to serve roasted mushrooms

Roasted mushrooms are a fantastic easy side dish that happens to be vegan and plant-based. We like serving them for vegan or vegetarian meals, because they add a meaty flavor that can sometimes be missing with just plants. Here are a few main dishes that would pair well:

• Pasta: Serve them with Roasted Cauliflower Pasta, Vegan Fettuccine Alfredo or Roasted Eggplant Pasta.
• Risotto: Add them to Asparagus Risotto.
• Salmon: Serve alongside Baked Salmon, Lemon Dill Salmon or Perfect Grilled Salmon.
• Shrimp: They’d be fabulous with Easy Baked Shrimp or Broiled Shrimp.

You can also use roasted mushrooms as a component in a meal! Throw them into pasta: like any of the pastas above, or just make spaghetti and marinara and throw them on top. (Of course this alfredo sauce is tasty too.) Or, add them as a component of a grain bowl or main dish salad.

Mushrooms nutrition

Need more reasons to eat mushrooms? According to the New York Times, here are some of the nutritional benefits of mushrooms:

• Low in calories and fat and cholesterol-free (like all vegetables!)
• Lots of minerals and vitamins, like potassium, magnesium, zinc, B vitamins such as folate.
• High in antioxidants, believed to protect cells from damage and reduce chronic disease and inflammation.

And that’s it! All about roasted mushrooms. Let us know if you give them a try in the comments below!

This roasted mushrooms recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free, and gluten-free.

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Perfect Roasted Mushrooms

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(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

5 from 5 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

You won’t be able to stop eating these roasted mushrooms! Meaty, tender and juicy, they’ll make a mushroom lover out of anyone. 

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Ingredients

• 1 pound baby bella mushrooms (cremini)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh herbs (like chives and thyme, or substitute 1/2 tablespoon dried)

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. 
2. Wash the mushrooms and pat them dry. Slice the mushrooms in half. In a large bowl, toss them with the olive oil, garlic powder, and kosher salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and spread the mushrooms in a single layer on top. 
3. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the mushrooms are tender. Serve topped with fresh herbs.

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• Category: Side Dish
• Method: Roasted
• Cuisine: Vegetables

Keywords: Roasted mushrooms, How to roast mushrooms

Did you make this recipe?

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More mushroom recipes

Though I went through most of life as a mushroom hater, I’ve changed my ways! Now they’re one of my favorite foods. If you’re a lover too, here are a few more favorite mushroom recipes:

• Portobello Mushroom Burger Savory and meaty, it’s irresistible with cheese and special sauce.
• Grilled Portobello Mushrooms or Perfect Grilled Mushrooms Mushrooms are smoky and meaty right off the grill.
• Mushroom Pizza with Fresh Herbs A white pizza covered with mozzarella cheese, goat cheese, and fresh herbs.
• Mushroom Pasta with Goat Cheese A fan favorite! Quick and simple, and tastes like a restaurant.

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Grilled Eggplant

Here’s how to make perfectly grilled eggplant! These tricks make it come out tender every time. Top with sauce as a summer side dish or appetizer.

Eggplant can be under appreciated, but this Mediterranean-style vegetable is one of the tastiest around. You’ve got to try this grilled eggplant: it comes out smoky and tender, lightly charred and full of flavor. Top it with a sauce and you’ve got a killer summer side dish or appetizer! We went for two different sauces: a fresh tomato salsa fresca, and a creamy, lightly spicy white BBQ sauce. The combination of the two is spot on. You’ll need to know a few tricks for grilled eggplant to get it just right: here’s what to know!

Ingredients for grilled eggplant

You don’t even need to top this eggplant with sauces: especially if you’re serving as part of a sandwich or part of a grilled veggie platter. But they’re extra festive, so feel free to add them if you like. Otherwise, the ingredients for grilled eggplant are very basic:

• Globe eggplant
• Olive oil
• Salt

Trick 1: make 1/2-inch rounds!

There are two tricks you need to know for grilled eggplant. First: slice it into 1/2-inch slices! Any thicker and the eggplant comes out charred on the outside, but tough on the inside. Trust us: we tried it (not delicious). You can place half-inch slices right on the grates and they come out perfectly tender.

Trick 2: add olive oil right before grilling!

The other tip for grilled eggplant: add the olive oil right before you cook it! Here’s the thing about eggplant: it sucks up oil like a sponge. If you add the oil too soon, the eggplant sucks it all up and then becomes dry. But if you add it right before grilling, it will stay oiled enough for the grill.

Salt to taste, until the flavor pops

Another thing to note about this recipe: typically we specify exactly how much salt to use. For this recipe, you’ll salt the eggplant afterwards (so salt doesn’t fall off on the grill). Because the size of eggplants can vary, the recipe below indicates simply to add salt to taste. Give it a good sprinkling of kosher salt, then taste and see if the flavor pops. If not, add a little more and taste until it tastes delicious but not salty.

How to grill eggplant: time and temperature

All you really need to know about grilled eggplant, besides those two tips, is the grill temperature and timing. Memorize those few things, and then make this recipe on repeat all summer! Here are the basic steps for how to grill eggplant (or jump to the recipe):

• Preheat a grill to medium high heat (that’s 375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Thinly slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds.
• Directly before grilling, rub with olive oil.
• Grill 4 to 5 minutes per side, until tender and charred. Add salt to taste and enjoy!

Sauces for grilled eggplant

Here’s the fun part: serving your eggplant! Eggplant works with lots of different flavors, from American to Mediterranean. Here’s what we used, and then a few more ideas:

• Fresh tomato sauce: We went with a salsa fresca to bring in bright tomato flavor; you could also use pico de gallo.
• White BBQ sauce: Ever tried this? White BBQ sauce is unique and great for drizzling on grilled veggies.
• Tahini sauce: Eggplant is great with Mediterranean flavors. Try this Tahini Sauce and top with chopped parsley and pomegranate seeds.
• Pesto: Spoon over Basil Pesto and top with sliced cherry tomatoes. Perfection!

Or, serve it as a sandwich!

Another great way to serve grilled eggplant: as a sandwich! This Eggplant Sandwich with Pesto is one of our favorite summer grilled meals, inspired by a stop in a hidden sandwich shop on a trip to Italy. It layers up some tasty Italian ingredients like:

• Grilled eggplant
• Ripe, juicy tomatoes
• Fresh mozzarella cheese
• Basil pesto Make your own if you have basil or get your favorite store bought jar.
• Kalamata olive spread Full of big flavor! Buy store bought tapenade or make your own.

This grilled eggplant recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

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Grilled Eggplant (Perfect Every Time!)

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(5 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

5 from 5 reviews

• Author: Sonja Overhiser
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 4
• Diet: Vegan

Print Recipe

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Description

Here’s how to make perfectly grilled eggplant! These tricks make it come out tender every time. Top with sauce as a summer side dish or appetizer.

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Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant (1 1/2 pounds)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Salsa Fresca or Pico de Gallo, for serving (optional)
• White BBQ Sauce, for serving (optional)
• Finely chopped cilantro or Italian parsley, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat a grill to medium-high heat (375 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit).
2. Directly before grilling (not in advance), slice the eggplant into thin rounds about 1/2” thick (size is important!). Place the slices on a baking sheet and rub both sides with the olive oil. Don’t do this step in advance: the eggplant soaks up lots of the olive oil, so make sure to do it right before grilling.
3. Place the eggplant directly on the grill grates and grill for about 4 to 5 minutes per side (8 to 10 minutes total), until charred and tender.
4. Remove from the grill and season generously with kosher salt to taste, until the flavor pops. Serve topped with salsa fresca or pico de gallo and/or white BBQ sauce.

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• Category: Side Dish / Appetizer
• Method: Grilled
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Keywords: Grilled eggplant, How to grill eggplant

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @acouplecooks on Instagram and hashtag it #acouplecooks

More eggplant recipes

Eggplant is one of our favorites because it’s so versatile! There are so many ways to use this nutritious veggie. Here are some of our top eggplant recipes for serving it:

• Oven Roasted Eggplant Baking until it’s tender makes for unreal flavor. Serve it as a side dish, or toss with pasta!
• Eggplant Pizzas Eggplant makes the crust of these mini pizzas, covered in garlicky sauce and gooey cheese.
• Roasted Eggplant Pasta Flavor-packed with roasted eggplant & zesty marinara sauce!
• Eggplant Caponata Eggplant and Mediterranean vegetables make a tangy, garlicky spread that’s perfect over crusty bread.
• Grilled Eggplant Parmesan Smoky breaded and grilled eggplant, doused in warm marinara sauce.

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