Lone Ranger Cocktail

The Lone Ranger Cocktail, a twist on the classic French 75, with tequila in place of gin, and sparkling rosé to add subtle notes of fruity flavor. This might just be the summer cocktail of 2024! Light, refreshing, and easy to make a batch amount. Cheers!

What will be the ‘drink of summer’ be for 2024? Scroll through different internet searches, tik tok videos, and other social media outlets and there’s always going to be a debate. In years past, the Espresso Martini and Hugo Spritz trended, and if I’m being honest, the Hugo Spritz might just be one of my favorite ‘spritzes’ to date! But back to 2024 and this year’s drink of the summer. Polled my Instagram to find what my readers/viewers wanted and the Lone Ranger Cocktail won hands down! Although the Porn Star Martini is more my concoction.

The Lone Ranger Cocktail is a fizzy spring and summertime cocktail created by Jeffrey Morgenthaler that pays homage to the iconic character. Think bold in flavor, but with an adventurous twist. Created as a riff on a French 75, he replaces the gin with tequila and Champagne with sparkling rosé. This drink as all the flavors and feelings of summer! Cheers!

Ingredients: Lone Ranger Cocktail

You’ll only need four ingredients—as well as a cocktail shaker and a glass—to make a Lone Ranger Cocktail. The cocktail can also be easily batched ahead of time for get togethers/large groups. Simply scale up the ingredients, and keep the sparkling rosé corked until you’re ready to serve!

• Tequila: Blanco tequila, known as silver, is a lighter tequila. Añejo or reposado tequila are a bit too heavy for summer and could overpower the delicate citrus flavor. However, if you do like a hint of smokiness, a Mezcal could work.
• Rosé: A dry rosé Prosecco will be not too sweet and/or overpowering, and is a little more delicate than a Champagne. As there are are only 4 ingredients in this recipe, as I always say, aim to use a good quality rosé. Not too pricey, but also not too cheap either. I love to pick up different wines when they’re on sale to have on hand.
• Simple Syrup: Always in my fridge, ready in any moment to whip up a cocktail. This lightly sweetens the cocktail. Use as much or as little as you prefer. And yes, this is added sugar, but as mentioned, use as little as possible.
• Lemon Juice: use fresh lemon juice for the best flavor (rather than using the lemon juice products sold in supermarkets). If you only have a lime available, that can work as well.

How To Make a Lone Ranger Cocktail

1. Add the tequila, lemon juice, and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled.
2. Add the sparkling wine, rosé.
3. Strain into a Collins glass filled with fresh ice.
4. Garnish with a lemon twist.

How To Make a Big-Batch

1. Combine in a pitcher 2 1/4 cups tequila silver, 1 1/2 cups lemon juice, and 1/4 cup simple syrup (or more, depending your preference for sweetness).
2. Chill until ready to serve.
3. Add one 750-ml bottle chilled sparkling rosé wine before serving.
4. Serve in ice-filled glasses.
5. Garnish with lemon twists. Makes 12 servings.

Other Summer Cocktails

• Hugo Spritz
• Aperol Spritz
• Lillet Spritz
• French Blonde Cocktail

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