Whiskey and Coke

Here’s how to make the best Whiskey and Coke, aka Bourbon and Coke! Use any type of whiskey or bourbon for the ultimate easy cocktail.

Looking for the easiest whiskey cocktail…ever? Because this one is it. Whiskey and Coke, aka Bourbon and Coke! This variation on the popular rum and coke might be even better than the original. The notes of vanilla and oak in the whiskey add just the right nuance and spicy finish to the sweet, caramelly cola. This drink takes just 2 minutes to pour into a glass: but there are a few tricks to getting it perfect. Here’s how to make the very best Whiskey and Coke: follow this recipe and tips, and it tastes greater than the sum of its parts.

How to make the best whiskey and coke

The Whiskey and Coke is a variation on the Rum and Coke, which is itself a variation on the Cuba Libre. This easy highball cocktail of rum, cola and lime was born in Cuba in the early 1900’s, and it quickly spread to America. The first record of whiskey being mixed with coke was 1907, so it’s a drink with a history!

Sure, you can make a Whiskey and Coke or Bourbon and Coke by pouring together whatever quantities you’d like of whiskey and cola. But for the best version of this drink…we have a few tips.

Mix up the right Whiskey and Coke ratio

Tip 1 to making the best Jack and coke recipe: 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 whiskey or bourbon to 4 ounces cola =
• 1 part whiskey to 2 parts cola

The easiest cocktails are those that have the ingredients right in the name: and this one does not disappoint! Some of the most iconic cocktails are just two ingredients, like the vodka cranberry and gin and tonic. The bourbon and coke blends the best of whiskey and cola to perfectly complement each other.

Add citrus!

Most Whiskey and Coke or Bourbon and Coke recipes don’t call for lemon or lime. But we find that drinks with cola benefit from some citrus! The acidity from the lemon cuts through the sweetness of the cola.

Squeeze in the juice from the lemon before you add it to the drink, and it makes the flavor much more interesting! You can also use lime for a similar effect, which makes it similar to the Cuba Libre.

The best whiskey or bourbon for a Whiskey and Coke

The great thing about a Whiskey and Coke is that you can use literally any whiskey. Coca cola has such a strong flavor that it easily overpowers the alcohol. But of course, our cocktail rule for all 200+ of our cocktail recipes is: the better the alcohol, the better the drink! To make a truly great Whiskey and Coke, here are a few types of whiskey and bourbon we’d recommend:

• Bulleit Bourbon
• Crown Royal (Canadian whisky)
• Dewars Scotch Whisky
• Makers Mark

Add clear ice for visual appeal

All these tips will make a truly great Whiskey and Coke. If you really want to go all out, here’s what to do: make clear ice! Clear ice is artisan-style ice that’s crystal clear, instead of cloudy like normal ice. It makes your drink look like you got it at a fancy bar! You can cut the clear ice into large blocks or fancy organic shapes.

It’s easy to make clear ice at home: all you need is a small cooler and 24 hours. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.

Whiskey / Bourbon and Coke variations

There are so many ways to mix up an easy cocktail with cola! If you’re a sucker for this easy combination (which we are), here are a few more ideas to add to your arsenal. You can use the same Whiskey and Coke ratio from above, unless noted. These are great ideas for tasty but cheap drinks! Here are a few variations:

• Rum for Rum and Coke
• Jack Daniels for Jack and coke
• Red wine for a Kalimotxo (use equal parts wine and coke)
• Gin for Gin 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)

More great whiskey mixers? Go to What to Mix with Whiskey.

Print

More great whiskey and bourbon drinks

There are so many great whiskey drinks and bourbon cocktails to try! Here are some of our favorites:

• Go super classic with a Whiskey Sour or Bourbon Sour
• Opt for an easy Whiskey Highball
• Mix up a refreshing and minty Whiskey Smash or Classic Mint Julep
• Go old school with a Classic Old Fashioned
• Shake up a sophisticated Manhattan
• Try an Irish Mule, Irish Coffee, or other Irish whiskey drinks
• Go for modern craft cocktails like the Paper Plane or Gold Rush Cocktail