This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
Here’s how to make Hennessy and Coke: a two-ingredient cocktail greater than the sum of its parts! Follow this ratio to make the best drink.
Looking for a quick and dirty cocktail with Hennessy? Try Hennessy and Coke! This spin on the Rum and Coke might be considered low-brow by some, but add this Cognac, and it’s a top-notch drink! The oak, vanilla, and caramel notes of Hennessy are a perfect match for the sweetness of bubbly cola.
I’ve added a few tips to take this cocktail to a sophisticated level. Here’s how to make the best Hennessy and Coke to impress all your friends.
The Hennessy and Coke Ratio
The main thing to know about making Hennessy and Coke: use the right ratio! The standard ratio for a rum and Coke is 1 part alcohol to 2 parts cola. But experimenting with this drink, I found that the Hennessy can overpower in that quantity. The best Hennessy and Coke ratio is:
- 1 ½ ounces Hennessy to 4 ounces cola
Of course, if you prefer a stronger drink, be my guest! Increase to 2 ounces Hennessy, or even higher if you like.
Optional: Add Orange Bitters for Complexity
For the very best Hennessy and Coke, here’s a tip: add a few shakes of orange bitters, or other cocktail bitters! Bitters are liqueurs that are used to add intriguing flavors to cocktails, like a good Old Fashioned or Manhattan. They’re made with lots of herbs and spices, which adds complexity because the flavors are not easily recognizable.
You can add any type of bitters you have on hand, but orange bitters add a nice citrus undertone to the drink. The most popular type of cocktail bitters is Angostura bitters, which would be great here as well.
Add Clear Ice
If you’re someone who likes Hennessy and Coke, you’ll appreciate this way to step it up. Try adding clear ice! Clear ice is ice that’s crystal clear instead of cloudy, like normal ice. You can cut it into large blocks and organic shapes, making it look like a cocktail from a fancy bar.
You can easily make clear ice at home; all you need is a small cooler and 24 hours! Check out How to Make Clear Ice.
Variations to Try
Hennessy and Coke is a spin on the Rum and Coke, itself a variation on the Cuba Libre. This mix of rum, cola, and lime was born in Cuba in the early 1900s, and it quickly spread to America. Gradually, people started to mix different types of alcohol with cola, creating a myriad of different drinks.
You can mix cola with just about anything! Try these variations next:
- Rum for Rum and Coke or Cuba Libre
- Whiskey or bourbon for Whiskey and coke
- Red wine for a Kalimotxo (use equal parts wine and coke)
- Jack Daniels for Jack and coke
- Crown Royal for a Crown and coke
- Gin for Gin and coke
- Vodka for Vodka and coke
- Tequila for Tequila and coke
Hennessy and Coke
Here’s how to make Hennessy and Coke: a two ingredient cocktail greater than the sum of its parts! Follow this ratio to make the best drink.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) Hennessy
- 4 ounces (½ cup) cola
- 2 dashes orange bitters
- For the garnish: Orange wedge
Instructions
- Add the Hennessy and ice to a glass and stir to combine.
- Top with the cola. Shake in the orange bitters. Garnish with an orange wedge.
