Whiskey combined with cola has gained popularity in all corners of the world. Both men and women equally like its mild, sweet taste and rich aroma. The legendary cocktail is considered the perfect complement to noisy parties. It will also be appropriate for a large company and at friendly gatherings.
Who invented whiskey and Cola?
The cocktail “Whiskey and Cola” often evokes associations with famous Hollywood films, the characters of which drink their favourite drink with great pleasure. The cocktail gained popularity in the XX century. There are two versions of its origin, but it has yet to be officially confirmed.
The first story is connected with Russia, and according to the version, the cocktail received the loud name “Idiot.” In the days of the dashing 90s, a wealthy man came with his mistress to a restaurant to show off her beauty to friends. The sommelier began to recommend the choice of drinks, and he convinced the man to buy whiskey, The Macallan In Lalique, worth more than $ 10,000. When there were glasses of exclusive whiskey on the table, the companion expressed a desire to dilute it with cola.
According to the second version, the cocktail’s authors are considered members of The Beatles group. The musicians liked mixing whiskey with cola, which their fans learned about. After that, the cocktail recipe became popular in Europe and the USA.
General information about the drink
The taste of the Whiskey and Cola cocktail turns out to be bright and rich. Carbonated water enhances the taste and reveals the aroma of the alcohol component. The drink turns out to be soft, pleasant and intoxicating. Due to the gas bubbles, the relaxing effect occurs relatively quickly, which must be considered when tasting. Bartenders recommend drinking no more than 2-3 glasses of a drink in an evening, while it is advisable to mix whiskey with cola in a ratio of 1:3 or 1:4.
The cocktail is very high in calories. With classic proportions of 1:2, 100 ml of the drink contains an average of 315 kcal. The energy value of the cocktail can be reduced if you use Coca-Cola without sugar.
Pay attention! If you replace the classic cola with a dietary option, intoxication may occur faster than usual.
The degree of the cocktail in the classic version varies from 13% to 15%. This indicator may change if you add more or less cola.
Which ingredients to choose
The flavour and aroma bouquet of the cocktail may vary depending on the ingredients. Based on this, choosing the right ingredients for making a drink is essential.
Whiskey
Experts believe that whiskey should be Scottish. However, this rule only sometimes applies. When using traditional Scotch whiskey, there are the following restrictions:
- whiskey should not be mixed with cheap carbonated water, as it may lose its identity;
- when combined with cola, whiskey risks losing the smokiness and peat notes in classic Scottish alcohol.
To prepare the famous cocktail, it is better to use American bourbon whiskey. It is made from corn, which favourably shades and emphasizes the taste of carbonated water and softens the sharp alcohol component.
It is also better to buy cheaper whiskey because, in the process of mixing with Coca-Cola, the drink will change the taste. The difference between elite alcohol and a less expensive option is almost invisible.
Cola
It is preferable to use cola produced by Coca-Cola and not by other manufacturers. It is this drink that favourably emphasizes the taste of blended whiskey varieties. When preparing a cocktail, the following rules should be followed:
- open the bottle only before making a cocktail so that the carbonated water does not run out;
- use only a well-chilled cola so as not to spoil the taste of the cocktail;
- experiment with different cola flavours, for example, cherry, vanilla, coffee, or lemon.
Pay attention! You should order a Coke separately from whiskey in a bar or club. In this case, you can be sure that the carbonated water will not be warm or exhausted.
Also, it would help if you did not use Pepsi to make a cocktail. It is calorific and sweeter than the original drink and can suppress the aroma and taste of whiskey; therefore, it will not be possible to enjoy such a cocktail.
Ice
You can buy ready-made ice, or you can make it yourself with the help of special moulds from purified mineral water. You can also experiment and freeze Coca-Cola, carbonated water, or any other water with the addition of herbs.
Classic cocktail recipe
There are two ways to make a Whiskey and Cola cocktail: with or without ice. The proportions are about the same, but the result is radically different. A chilled drink may seem more flavorful and saturated with the same cocktail prepared without adding ice.
Cocktail with ice
This is a classic version, which is prepared quite simply.
To prepare a cocktail, you will need:
- 200 ml of cola;
- 100 ml of whiskey;
- 100-200 g of ice cubes;
- a slice of lemon, orange or a sprig of mint for decoration.
In a glass, first, add ice, and then add cola and whiskey. The contents are mixed, decorated and served to the guests.
Pay attention! Usually, whiskey and cola are mixed in a ratio of 1:2. For those who try the drink for the first time and do not like strong alcohol, it is better to add not 200 but 300 ml of Coca-Cola. The cocktail will not be so alcoholic, and its intoxicating effect will not manifest too quickly.
Cocktail without ice
A cocktail called “Whiskey with Cola” without adding ice is potent, so men most often prefer to drink it without ice. The ratio of whiskey and cola can be chosen according to your taste sensations and in different proportions.
How to drink whiskey with Cola?
Most often, whiskey and cola are served in highballs or snifters. However, there are other, more original glasses.
The drink is served only chilled. To do this, a large amount of ice is added to the glass or cold whiskey and cola are used. The chilled cocktail becomes more fragrant and saturated. In a warm drink, the aromatic bouquet needs to open better; therefore, it is impossible to feel the unique taste fully.
Whiskey and Coke should be drunk slowly, enjoying every sip. In bars and restaurants, a straw is usually served with a cocktail. It can be used at will, but if there is too much ice in the drink and you have a tendency to colds, you should not refuse to use it. Otherwise, you can wake up the following day with a sore throat.
Like many cocktails, whiskey and cola are served as a digestif. It perfectly quenches thirst, saturates, helps to relax and is the perfect end to the evening. As an aperitif, the drink is
Gastronomic combinations
In most countries, having a snack with whiskey and cola is not customary, although you can get downed from such a drink. Experts recommend serving a cocktail with light gastronomic pairs that will not interrupt its taste and soften the sweetness and alcoholism.
The best gastronomic couples
Ideal dishes for serving with a Whiskey and Cola cocktail:
- Seafood: they are often served in Japan with the famous drink;
- Oysters and smoked salmon: popular in Scotland;
- Bavarian sausages: this combination is trendy in Germany;
- Game, beef, lamb and fish of red varieties: a favourite delicacy of the Irish;
- Lasagna: it is served in Italy;
- Chocolate, cupcakes, fruits and other sweets are often served with a cocktail in America.
Pay attention! Whiskey and cola are better served with melon. This delicious vegetable sets off the sweetness of a carbonated drink favourably.
Also, various hard cheeses, ice cream, fatty meat, grilled vegetables, chips and other snacks suit a gastronomic pair.
What can not be combined with a drink?
When choosing a gastronomic pair for a cocktail, avoiding dishes with a sharp, spicy, or sharp taste is advisable. Food should emphasize and complement the drink’s flavour and not interrupt it.
Do not submit:
- dishes with lots of seasonings and sauces;
- deep-fried meat and other products;
- potatoes and boiled meat (these dishes are too bland);
- pickles and canned spicy vegetables.
These products can be served successfully with other drinks, such as vodka. However, they are utterly incompatible with a Whiskey-Cola cocktail.