Join in on this cocktail trend: Where to get ranch water in Charlotte
Some may say that what sweet tea is to North Carolina, ranch water is to Texas. The light and refreshing, tequila-based cocktail has been a Texas staple for decades and has more recently begun making its way east — including a few spots in Charlotte.
Rumored by some to have been started by a rancher in west Texas in the 1960s and by others to have originated in Austin in the ‘90s, the origins are up for debate but the basic components are not — lime, tequila and carbonated water (in some form or combination).
So how can you get your hands on a cold glass of ranch water in Charlotte? While several local restaurants feature ranch water on their menus (see our list below), there’s another option coming to town.
[RELATED: Make your own ranch water at home with help from this Charlotte mixologist.]
Coming later this year to Charlotte
This fall, the Queen City will be getting a conveniently-packaged spin on ranch water when Raleigh-based Lonerider Brewing Company brings its canned Ranch Water to the Charlotte market. The brewer launched North Carolina’s first ready-to-drink Ranch Water earlier this year in the Raleigh area and is continuing to expand across North Carolina. Expect the 80 calorie, 3.6% ABV beverage to pop up in restaurants, bottle shops and independent stores in Charlotte this fall before hitting local grocery stores in 2023.
“To create our Ranch Water, we ferment multiple types of actual fruits–agave, lime puree and ingredients that give a specific flavor profile,” said Sumit Vohra, Lonerider’s CEO and chief drinking officer, whose personal favorite is the company’s Jalapeno Pineapple Ranch Water.
Order ranch water at these locations
Angry Ales
Location: 1518 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Neighborhood: Montford
Cuisine: American, bar
Instagram: @angryalesmofo
Brewers at 4001 Yancey
Location: 4001-A Yancey Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: York Road
Cuisine: American, brewery, taphouse
Instagram: @brewersat4001yancey
Cloud Bar by David Burke
Location: 555 S McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204
Neighborhood: Uptown
Cuisine: American, bar
Instagram: @cloludbarbydavidburke
Lebowski’s Neighborhood Grill
Location: 1524 East Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Dilworth
Cuisine: American, Buffalo/Western New York
Instagram: @lebowskisgrill
Pacos Tacos & Tequila
Location: 6401 Carnegie Blvd #8a, Charlotte, NC 28210
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Cuisine: TexMex
Instagram: @pacostacosandtequila
Velvet Taco
Location: 2170 Hawkins St., Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
Neighborhood: Brookhill/South End
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N Brevard Street, Suite 11, Charlotte, North Carolina 28206
Neighborhood: Optimist Park
Location: 1601 E Woodlawn Rd, Suite B, Charlotte, North Carolina 28209
Neighborhood: Montford
Cuisine: Tex-Mex
Instagram: @velvettaco
This story was originally published September 8, 2022 at 6:00 AM.
