And Coke

Simple, Classic, and Refreshing

“And Coke.” It’s a simple addition to whatever booze precedes your order, whether at a friend’s house or a bar. It can go with a variety of boozes. It can be added to various cocktails to add a bit of fizz and sweetness. It can often be overlooked as one’s palate becomes more refined, but as summer approaches, with the opportunity to sit poolside or with your toes in the sand, it’s worth remembering.

The most prevalent iteration of the “and Coke” is the whiskey and Coke. The whiskey in question need not be from the top shelf; Coke can do the heavy lifting. Nor does the whiskey need to be a bourbon, ubiquitous as the spirit is these days. It can be from Kentucky. It can be from Tennessee. It can even be from Canada, though that’s probably best reserved for holidays that aren’t quintessentially American.

Head south toward more Caribbean climes and add rum and you’ve got the rum and Coke. Throw in a lime wedge and you’ve got a Cuba Libre. In the spirit of liberty, you can choose either a white or a dark rum for this iteration. Both are delicious, refreshing, and perfect for the warmer days that are heading our way.

If you’re younger, or pretending to be younger, you can have a Long Island Iced Tea. Though not technically of the “and Coke” school, the drink is not the same without that final splash of the soft drink.

For the adventurous, there’s the kalimotxo, a blend of equal parts red wine and Coke. First concocted in 1920s, prior to Coca-Cola’s arrival in Spain, the drink was born of a desire to save some wine that was not quite suitable to drink on its own. Once Coke arrived in Spain, the drink was reborn in the 1970s and rumor has it that bars in the Basque Country region keep it on tap and ready to dispense without having to bother with mixing.

For those looking for a modern twist on the kalimotxo, albeit one not concocted out of necessity but because Tom Hanks isn’t a big drinker, there’s the Diet Cocagne. While Hanks’ name is unlikely to stick as the drink is going the route of the Arnold Palmer, the surprisingly tasty and sippable concoction is sure to visit a cookout near you this summer.

And when you’re at the end of your day and need a pick me up, one sans the alcohol, don’t be afraid to top off your cup of iced cold brew with a bit of Coke. The punch might not be as strong as the original formula, but it’s a delicious pairing that will get you through the rest of your day. Or, perhaps, if you enjoyed the entire offering of “and Coke” cocktails the night before, it can jump start your morning.

The current trend is toward increasingly artisanal cocktails, with increasingly hard-to-find ingredients. It’s a trend we embrace. But much as even the most seasoned of classically-trained chefs will produce dishes with bologna or American cheese, so too should the “and Coke” remain in your bar repertoire. As the company itself never quite said, if you have an “and Coke,” you’re definitely going to smile, because you can’t beat the real thing.

Cheers.