Whiskey and Cola

The Whiskey and Cola drink is a highball cocktail made by combining whiskey with cola. Originating more than a century ago, the Whiskey and Cola is timeless classic with one of the most iconic flavor combinations.

Traditionally served in a highball glass with ice cubes and garnished with a lime wedge, a Whiskey and Cola can be made with any type of whiskey – bourbon, Tennessee whiskey, rye, Scotch whisky or Irish whiskey. The standard ratio is approximately 1:3 or 1:4 (one part whiskey to three or four parts cola).

A Whiskey and Cola drink delivers layers of oaky vanilla, mellow caramel sweetness, and a tingly citrus edge. Cola lifts the spirit-forward notes of the whiskey, making for a balanced, approachable sip with a sharp and crisp finish.

The Whiskey and Cola is said to have originated in the American South back in 20th century with its first printed mention occurring in 1907.

It gained popularity during Prohibition in the United States with the two-ingredient combination becoming a way to hide the taste of the alcohol.

• The Chill Factor
  Use large ice cubes or a king cube in your Highball Glass. It chills your whisky and cola drink longer and keeps it from watering down.
• “Open up” your whiskey
  Adding a splash of room-temperature water to whiskey before adding ice allows its flavors and aromas – such as oak and citrus notes – to become more pronounced. This practice is known to “open up” the whiskey.
• Control the fizz
  Pour the cola from about six inches (approx. 15 cm) above the glass for controlled bubbles, then stir gently to mix. This will keep your drink nicely carbonated.

Being a two-ingredient drink, the Whiskey and Cola lends itself to endless drink-spiration.  Here’s just a handful of ideas:

• Experiment with your whiskey
  If Irish whiskey is your go-to whiskey, change it up by using rye whiskey in your Whiskey and Cola. Or try Scotch whisky to create a Whisky and Cola! Each whiskey type has its own own unique characteristics and flavors, so mix it up and see which you prefer.
• Add a splash of bitters
  Add a couple of dashes of aromatic bitters or orange bitters to add new flavor elements to your drink.
• Mix up your cola
  Just as we suggested changing up your whiskey types, you can also mix up your cola. For example, vanilla cola complements the vanilla notes found in both whiskey and cola. Use cherry cola to add an entirely new dimension to your Whiskey and Cola.

• Garnish with a lemon twist
  Although our preferred garnish for a Whiskey and Cola is a lime wedge, a very popular choice is a lemon twist. It looks elegant and the aroma of lemon works incredibly well. 
• Flamed orange twist
  Flame an orange peel for some welcome smoky, aromatic citrus notes. As always, be careful when using lighters.
• Maraschino cherry
  Garnishing your Whiskey and Cola with a Maraschino cherry will add a deep, rich sweetness to your drink. Highly recommended!