If you are someone who is not a frequent drinker, you might not be familiar with the abovementioned title. On the contrary, if you are someone who enjoys drinking cocktails and is already acquainted with the world of liquor… The title is sure to grab your attention. This article was written with the aim of diving deep into the world of liquor. And understanding why so many people prefer their cocktails in the form of Jack and Coke.
First, let’s start by talking about what Jack and Coke really is. For those who are not aware, Jack and Coke is a highball cocktail which is prepared by mixing Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and Coca-Cola. A highball cocktail is prepared by mixing an alcoholic base spirit (such as Jack Daniel’s) with a much larger proportion of a non-alcoholic and, generally, a fizzy drink(such as Coca-Cola).
A highball cocktail is typically poured and served over ice. There are several highball cocktails, such as rum and coke, gin and tonic, scotch and soda, and many more. This article is specifically about the cult favourite “Jack and Coke”.
The earliest known record of Jack and Coke is in 1907, when an employee of the United States Bureau of Chemistry and Soils happened to stumble across the cocktail while travelling through the South. It was then referred to as a “Coca-Cola highball”. Since then, the cocktail’s popularity has skyrocketed tremendously.
In 2005, the Massachusetts Beverage Business made a comment on Jack and Coke’s rising popularity among people aged 21 to 34 in 2005. According to a 2007 comment from Mike Keyes, Senior Vice President and Global Brand Director at Jack Daniel’s, “Over time, more of Jack Daniel’s is being consumed with mixers, such as Coca-Cola.”
In June 2022, it was confirmed that the cult favourite cocktail would be sold as a canned beverage internationally after launching it in Mexico, which will be rolled out along with a diet version of it later this year.
To market the pre-mixed beverage, Coca-Cola teamed up with the distiller of Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey. It is carefully crafted, keeping in mind the ideal proportions to give you the true flavour of a damn good Jack and Coke. It is said to be a Jack and Coke with you being the bartender without having to learn any of the skills.
T he best way to make the most effortless Jack and Coke using only three ingredients.
- Use a highball glass for an authentic, old-fashioned Jack and Coke taste.
- Pour 59 ml of Jack Daniel’s over the ice.
- Add 177 ml of Cola
- Stir and enjoy your easy-to-make Jack and Coke cocktail.
1. “… But a cocktail is not meant to be a mélange. It is not a potpourri or an Easter parade. At its best, a cocktail should be crisp, elegant, sincere—and limited to two ingredients.”
“Just two?”
“Yes.
But they must be two ingredients that complement each other; that laugh at each other’s jokes and make allowances for each other’s faults; and that never shout over each other in conversation. Like Jack and coke,” he said, pointing to his drink.”
The message is conveyed quite vividly in this quotation, with excellent wording. This person obviously knows their way around a drink. They can recognize the characteristics of a drink that was crafted with care and accuracy. A true cocktail fiend. They take their drinks extremely seriously and will not hold back when thinking out loud.
Always prepare a cocktail while keeping in mind the rationale for doing so. A cocktail’s flavour is a reflection of the thought that went into crafting it. Cocktails taste best when they are not overflowing with multiple beverages.
A cocktail should only have two drinks and always highlight the finer components of the individual drinks. The person sipping the cocktail will thereafter be able to enjoy the combination of those two beverages. A cocktail should not be made just for the sake of it. A Jack and Coke is exactly what a cocktail should be.
2. “I tried drinking beer when I was 15. Absolutely terrified of getting caught I didn’t touch alcohol till I was 21. On my 21st birthday, dad sat with me and poured me my first glass of cocktail. It was a Jack and Coke. I’ll forever remember that.”
Quite a lot of people can relate to this quote. A person’s first sip of alcohol is worth reminiscing about, especially when it’s tied to such a fond memory. A father and son’s bond may start when they sit back and relax while enjoying a drink of their favourite booze.
It instantly creates an unbreakable bond. Some people may have poor ties with their fathers, but starting the process with a glass of your preferred cocktail—in this example, a JD and coke—can be a lasting memory that will help you to restore that bond.
3. “There cannot be good living where there is no good drinking” – Benjamin Franklin
Wise words spoken by a wise man. Benjamin Franklin, one of the founding fathers, was instrumental in the formulation of the US Constitution and served as the country’s representative in France during the American Revolution. He is also credited with inventing bifocals, which has unquestionably benefited later generations.
A person of such calibre surely knows to appreciate the finer things in life. It’s true that one should not get ahead of oneself and engage in alcoholism. True appreciation for your favourite beverage begins with temperance. When drank mindfully, it helps you unlock a whole new door in your life, and that’s the purpose of a JD and Coke.
4. “Oh, you hate your job? why didn’t you say so? There’s a support group for that. It’s called everybody, and they meet at the bar and order a couple of Jack and Coke. That’s just life.”
Sometimes life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. When you have a job that is stressful, mundane, and something that you despise doing, you are surely going to have a tough time on earth. However, you are not the only one having a tough time.
Everyone has their own stuff to deal with. When you go to a bar and have your favourite drink after a monotonous and physically or mentally taxing day, you are also very likely to come across people who are in the same situation as you and who like the same drink as you. Unburdening all that stress could be made easier by talking to them and relaying your day.
5. “You see I’m hanging out with my friends after a long time. Now there might be some awkwardness or nothing to talk about but JD and coke instantly bond us.”
Quite a relatable quote. In today’s day and age, when everyone is caught up in their own work and life, it gets increasingly challenging to stay in touch with your pals. Although we spend most of our time thinking about or doing our jobs or studies, and while it is vital to do so, it is also crucial to keep a grip on reality and live a stress-free life.
Occasionally, hanging out with your friends is a sure-fire way to keep your cool and be as stress-free as possible. And what better way to break the ice when you’re hanging out with your friends after a while than with a sip of your favourite drink.
And it just so happens that a lot of people prefer a decent blend of Jack and coke.
6. “It is true that whiskey improves with age. The old I get, the more I like it” – Ronnie Corbett
Ronnie Corbett was a Scottish actor and comedian who starred in his own comedy sketch show along with Ronnie Braker called “The Two Ronnies”. Born in 1930, he passed away in the year 2016. Having lived such a long and remarkable life, he has left behind his legacy.
This quote said by him was worded in a pretty witty manner. When people talk about the taste of whiskey improving as it gets older, it is a fact. Ronnie Corbett claims that while it is true that aged whiskey has a more flavorful finish, the same is also true for him. You go through a lot in life as you age. But when life becomes tough, you can always turn to your favourite beverage.
7. “My friend told me to pour coke in JD. I was just drinking it neat all my life. It was like a whole new world for me you know”
Jack Daniel’s is renowned for its medium strength and a blend of fruity sweetness with undertones of spices. The sharpness of its flavour still succeeds in highlighting a sufficient level of richness. As a result, it pairs well with carbonated beverages like Coca-Cola. Many first-time drinkers of Jack and Coke seem to be fairly pleased with it and ultimately develop a taste for this specific cocktail.
8. “Basically, I’m for anything that gets you through the night – be it prayer, tranquilizers or a bottle of Jack Daniels.” – Frank Sinatra
Anyone who does not know who Frank Sinatra is must be living under a rock. Frank Sinatra was an American singer and actor. Having sold more than 100 million copies of his recordings, he was active from the 1940s through the 1960s and is still regarded as one of the most prominent artists in the history of music.
Some days are extremely difficult to get through, regardless of who you are, where you are, or what you do. Troublesome thoughts, memories, and regrets are just a few things that keep us awake at night. Frank Sinatra candidly expresses what gets him through the night. Whether it be decades ago or today, a bottle of Jack Daniel’s is quite an infallible way to get you through the night, whether you drink it straight or in a cocktail.
9. “The blues are just a heightened sense of awareness of life’s ups and downs, and things that a guy sees after a couple hits of Jack Daniels.” – Steven Tyler
After taking a few sips of Jack Daniel’s, you briefly acquire a calm and serene temperament that washes away any anxieties, fears, or unsettling emotions you may have had. When consumed responsibly, it helps you navigate the highs and lows of life.
10. “One day [when I relapsed] I walked into a store and saw JD and Coca-Cola in a single can. And then that voice – I call it the ‘lower power’ – goes, ‘Hey. Just a taste. Just one.’ I drank it, and there was that brief moment of ‘Oh, I’m okay!’ But it escalated so quickly. Within a week I was buying so many bottles I sounded like a wind chime walking down the street.” – Robin Williams
American actor and comedian Robin William, who has had a distinguished career, humourously shared his sombre anecdote. This quotation contains a significant lesson. I believe that using this quotation as the article’s final line would be excellent in reminding readers to drink mindfully and responsibly.
Excessive alcohol dependence will do more harm than good and prevent you from ever enjoying your favourite drink since it would just serve as a means of escape from reality and could be counterproductive.
