According to the Association of Canadian Distillers, the lime rickey was named after Colonel Joe Rickey -- a Washington, DC, lobbyist.

According to Bombay Sapphire (the people who make the gin), the lime rickey was named for Colonel Jim Rickey, by the barman at Shoemaker's restaurant in Washington, DC, around 1900.

According to Jack Townsed, the chairman of the New York Bartender's Guild, in his book The Bartender's Book, the lime rickey was created by the bartender in Shoemaker's Restautant in Washington, DC. The first customer to order this new cocktail was a lobbyist without military rank known as Colonel Jim Rickey, despite the fact that his name was Joe. Townsend says that, at the turn of the century, Shoemaker's was known as "the Third Room of the Congress" and that the drink was named after Rickey by thirsty congressmen