Classic Jack and Coke Recipe

You might think the Jack and Coke drink recipe is included in the name of the cocktail. And you wouldn’t be too far wrong. Still, it’s good to know exactly how to make this delicious classic.

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What does a Jack and Coke taste like?

The Jack and Coke is popular because it just works. It tastes great, it’s bubbly and refreshing, and it’s easy to make. Seriously, what’s not to like?

It’s a hit with young drinkers because the taste of the whiskey gets diluted in ten ounces of cola. This cocktail gives you the alcoholic kick without an overwhelming amount of the whiskey flavor.

That’s not to say you can’t taste the whiskey at all, though. That charcoal flavor comes through. The other notes from the whiskey blend in with the Coke, but they’re still there.

But the strongest flavor is definitely the cola. And that makes this a very enjoyable drink for anybody who likes the flavor of cola.

Because of that, it’s popular with young drinkers. But don’t let that put you off. It’s a go-to drink of choice for a lot of serious cocktail drinkers.

How Strong Is It?

A Jack and Coke isn’t the strongest drink out there, but it’s not weak either. With 2 ounces of whiskey (at 40% alcohol by volume) and 10 ounces of cola, the finished drink has an alcohol content around 6-7% ABV – similar to strong beer. The large amount of mixer means you’re not getting hit with pure whiskey flavor or strength.

If you want a lighter drink, you can use less whiskey or more cola. If you want it stronger, just adjust the ratios to taste. Some people do a 1-to-2 ratio (like 2 ounces whiskey to 4 ounces cola) for a stiffer drink.

It’s a nice long drink

There’s another nice thing about the Jack and Coke, and that’s the fact that it’s a long drink. With ten ounces of cola, there’s a lot of non-alcoholic liquid.

And that means that while you’re still getting a good two ounces of bourbon, it takes you a while to drink it all up. It slows down your consumption of alcohol and rehydrates you as you go.

There are always times you don’t want to be tossing back a lot of alcohol quickly. That’s what makes this simple drink recipe such a great drink.

It’s just what you need for a night out dancing or just having fun with friends. Or just when you’re craving a nice long drink you can savor.

Diet Jack and Coke?

There is some heated debate about whether you should ever make this drink with Diet Coke. Some people actually prefer diet because regular Coke adds more sugar than they like with their whiskey.

For others, diet cola is their normal soda of choice and they like the flavor of it. So that makes it their go-to in cocktails, too.

On the other side, of course, some people hate this drink with Diet Coke and see it as something like a crime to drink it that way. But you should drink it with whatever version of cola you want, whatever tastes good to you.

Just one note of caution: if you do choose to use diet cola in any drink, it makes cocktails more potent. Yes, you read that right. Apparently somehow it’s like drinking on an empty stomach compared to a cocktail full of sugar.

And it will literally give a higher breath alcohol content and make you more drunk. So don’t plan to knock back a bunch of Jack & Diet Cokes at a bar and then drive home. That would be a bad plan.

Make It Your Own

The beauty of the Jack and Coke is how easy it is to customize. Adjust the amounts, try new garnishes, or experiment with different sodas until you find what works for you. There’s no wrong way as long as you enjoy what’s in your glass.

Tips for Ordering at Bars

If you’re out at a bar or restaurant, ordering a “Jack and Coke” will get you exactly what you want – no need for special instructions. If you want a specific ratio (stronger or weaker), just let your bartender know. If they don’t have Jack Daniel’s specifically, they’ll usually ask if another whiskey is okay.

If you want to switch up the cola (for example, Diet Coke), just ask for it when you order: “Jack and Diet” is common bar shorthand.

Pairing with Food

Want to pair this one with food? That’s almost too easy. Just enjoy it with any meal you’d enjoy with a Coke. 

Jack and Coke pairs well with lots of foods because it’s sweet, fizzy, and refreshing. It cuts through greasy or salty dishes nicely. Here are some good pairings:

• Burgers and fries
• Fried chicken
• Grilled steak or barbecue
• Pizza
• Nachos or loaded potato skins
• Pulled pork sandwiches

If you enjoy the Jack and Coke…

You should also check out the Lynchburg Beer. It blends Jack Daniels with root beer instead of cola.

The Tennessee Tea mixes Jack with cola, triple sec and lemon juice. It originally called for sour mix, but we’ve upgraded it to lemon juice and simple syrup.

And then there’s also the Jumpin’ Jack Black. It blends Jack Daniels with blackberry brandy for a remarkable flavor experience.