Toby Keith's Swamp Water Recipe Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue by Donna John

Cocktails
2 months ago

Toby Keith's Swamp Water Recipe Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue

Country music superstar Toby Keith lost his battle with stomach cancer on February 5, 2024. He was 62 years old. Toby Keith's deep, country voice filled my home and car on more times than I can count. Many nights you would find me stirring whatever new recipe I was cooking in the kitchen to one of his legendary songs like "Should've Been a Cowboy," "Red Solo Cup," "Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue," "As Good As I Once Was" and my all-time favorite, "Don't Let the Old Man In."

My husband and I were fortunate enough to eat at Toby Keith's I Love This Bar and Grill restaurant in Las Vegas before it closed. We sat at the bar and ate his thick fried bologna sandwiches, fried onions rings and some other not-good-for-us appetizer that tasted great (calories don't count on vacation). After bloating up from the alcohol and salty foods, we waddled around the Vegas Strip with smiles on our faces. It's one meal we won't soon forget, just like the music Toby Keith shared with his fans over the years.

One way I love to honor and remember those who have passed is by making their recipes. Toby has several family recipes floating around on the internet, but one that he is really known for is his green Swamp Water cocktail. The adults-only cocktail is a delicious mixture of mezcal, sour apple schnapps, simple syrup, sweet and sour mix, melon liqueur and lime juice. How can you go wrong with that? Cheers, to you, Toby, and may you rest in peace.

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Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients

  • 1.25 ounces mezcal (Wild Shot Silver)
  • 2.25 ounces sour apple schnapps (Apple Pucker)
  • .75 ounces simple syrup (see Recipe Notes)
  • 3 ounces sweet and sour mix (see Recipe Notes)
  • splash of melon liqueur (Midori)
  • lime juice
  • green food coloring (optional)

Helpful Products

Recipe Notes

  • You can buy premade sweet and sour mix at any liquor store or make your own. To make sweet and sour mix, put 2 cups of water and 1 cup of granulated sugar into a saucepot. Simmer until sugar dissolves. Turn the heat off and cool completely. Once cool, add 1/2 cup fresh lime juice and 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice. Store in an airtight container container in the fridge.
  • Some like to rim the glass with sugar or salt. That is up to your preference.

Here's how to make it: 

  1. Fill a mason jar (preferred) or cocktail glass with ice. 
  2. Add the mezcal, sour apple schnapps, simple syrup, sweet and sour mix and splash of melon liqueur. Add the green food coloring, if using. 
  3. Top with some fresh lime juice. 
  4. Garnish with lime wedges and maraschino cherries, if desired.

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Elisa Schmitz
Thank you for sharing that sweet story about Toby Keith and your time spent in his restaurant. What wonderful memories of this larger-than-life person who's gone too soon. Making his recipe is a great way to help keep that spirit alive.

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