This post may include affiliate links; see our disclosure policy.
This Jack and Coke recipe is the best easy drink with Jack Daniels: here’s the perfect ratio plus three tips that take this classic whiskey cocktail from bar-basic to great!
Here’s the best easy way to make Jack Daniels into a cocktail: the Jack and Coke, aka Whiskey and Coke! This 2-ingredient cocktail is a descendent of the historic Rum and Coke, and guess what? There are a few tricks to making the very best version of a Jack and Coke recipe there is.
As a cocktail expert, I can appreciate both classic cocktails and easy porch sipping drinks, and I think this Tennessee whiskey is the perfect balance for sweet, bubbly cola. Here’s the correct drink ratio and a few easy things you can do to step up this drink!
What You’ll Need
This Jack and Coke recipe has three ingredients, and the last one makes all the difference:
- Jack Daniels whiskey: The classic is Old No. 7, a Tennessee whiskey (not a bourbon, technically). It’s smooth, slightly sweet, and light enough to play well with the Coke.
- Cola: Coca-Cola is the traditional choice; Diet Coke works well as a lighter swap if you prefer it. Pepsi also works as a swap, though it’s a touch sweeter.
- Lemon wedge: Not all recipes require this, but I’ve found a squeeze of fresh lemon adds brightness that cuts through the sweetness of the cola. It makes a big difference in the flavor!
The Jack and Coke Ratio
There are a few tips to making just the right version of Jack and Coke. This drink is a highball cocktail, meaning that it has a higher percentage of mixer (juice, soda water, or cola) than alcohol. It’s especially popular in the American South, and you can order it at most bars in the US. Typically you’ll see it served in either a lowball or highball glass.
The first part of making the best Jack and Coke is to use the right ratio. Often restaurants mix up a version of this drink that’s too heavy on the coke. Use the right ratio to get just the right flavor combination. The Jack and coke ratio is:
- 2 ounces Jack Daniels to 4 ounces cola =
- 1 part Jack to 2 parts cola
You’ll find some recipes that claim a better ratio is 2 ounces Jack Daniels to 3 ounces cola. You can do this, but it makes a much stronger drink than you’ll typically get at a restaurant. Feel free to adjust the ratio to your tastes!
How to Make Jack and Coke
- Fill a lowball or highball glass with ice.
- Add 2 ounces (¼ cup) Jack Daniels whiskey and stir briefly to chill.
- Top with 4 ounces (½ cup) cola.
- Squeeze in the juice from a lemon wedge and drop it in as garnish. Serve immediately.
Tips for the Best Version
Squeeze in lemon juice from the wedge before you add it as a garnish, and it makes the flavor much more interesting! You can also use lime for a similar effect, which makes it similar to a Cuba Libre. Most rum and coke or Jack and coke recipes don’t require lemon juice, but the acidity from the lemon cuts through the sweetness of the cola.
Make up a batch of clear ice for a next-level top Jack and Coke. Clear ice is artisan-style ice that’s crystal clear instead of cloudy like normal ice. You can make a batch and cut it into organic shapes like you’d get at a fancy bar. I like making my own clear ice at home: all you need is a small cooler and 24 hours: see How to Make Clear Ice.
Which Type of Jack Daniels To Use
One way to make variations on a Jack and coke: change the type of Jack Daniels. Jack Daniels is a Tennessee brand of whiskey that’s actually the top selling world-wide (who knew!). The company was founded in 1875 by a man named yes, Jack Daniels, so it’s got a long history of whiskey production. While it’s most often made with the classic “Old No. 7”, there are several types of Jack Daniels you can use to vary this drink:
- Old No. 7: the classic!
- Tennessee apple: Adds an apple nuance
- Tennessee rye: Rye whiskey has a spicy finish
- Single barrel: The fancy stuff! Save this for drinking neat
- Tennessee honey: Whiskey blended with honey liqueur
- Tennessee fire: Adds a cinnamon spice
Jack and Coke Variations
Jack and coke is a variation on the Rum and Coke, aka Cuba Libre. The Rum and Coke is also known as the Cuba Libre, a 3-ingredient cocktail made with lime, cola and rum that originated in Cuba in the early 1900’s. You can make a “blank and coke” with almost any spirit, which are great ideas for tasty but cheap drinks. Try using:
- Rum for Cuba Libre
- Any whiskey or bourbon for Whiskey and coke
- Gin for Gin and coke
- Red wine for a Kalimotxo (use equal parts wine and coke)
- Tequila for Tequila and coke
- Vodka for Vodka and coke
- Crown Royal for Crown and coke
- Hennessy for Hennessy and coke (use 1.5 ounces Hennessy to 4 ounces coke)
The Best Jack and Coke
This Jack and Coke recipe is the best easy drink with Jack Daniels: here’s the perfect ratio plus three tips that take this classic whiskey cocktail from bar-basic to great!
- 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
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) Jack Daniels whiskey
- 4 ounces (½ cup) cola
- 1 lemon wedge
Instructions
- Add the Jack Daniels whiskey and ice to a glass and stir to combine.
- Top with the cola. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon wedge and serve. Garnish with additional lemon wedges or wheels.
I LOVE a Jack and coke, but my favorite is Pepsi and Evan Williams.
Jack and water is best.