The 10 best Cola cocktails

Introduction

Fizz and Flavor Unite in Cocktails!

Whether you're a cocktail connoisseur or a casual sipper, our curated list of cocktails offers a delightful exploration of flavor complexity enhanced by our key ingredient – cola.

This carbonated beverage is known for its refreshing and subtly sweet taste, making it a favorite mixer in beverage concoctions. Cola's versatility allows it to blend seamlessly with spirits like rum, whiskey, and vodka, providing a fizzy kick that elevates both classic and innovative cocktails. From iconic staples to inventive twists, cola-based cocktails deliver a balance of sweetness and acidity, often rounded with a touch of citrus or spice, suitable for any occasion.

Top 10 Cola cocktails

  • · · · · · ·   Long Island Iced Tea
  • · · · · · ·   The BEMCo
  • · · · · · ·   Piscola
  • · · · · · ·   Jack's Godfather Highball
  • · · · · · ·   Whisky and coke
  • · · · · · ·   Cuba Libre
  • · · · · · ·   Gold Rush
  • · · · · · ·   Kola Old Fashioned
  • · · · · · ·   Fernet con Coca
  • · · · · · ·   Batanga

Conclusion

More about Cola

1. Long Island Iced Tea

This iconic cocktail is a testament to the versatility and power of cola in the cocktail world. Combining cola with a potent mix of spirits including white rum, vodka, tequila, gin, and a touch of Cointreau, it creates a deceivingly smooth drink with a complex flavor profile. The lemon juice and sugar syrup add a sweet and sour balance, making it a beloved choice for those seeking a strong, yet palatable drink. Its origin, shrouded in mystery, adds to its allure, making it a staple in bars worldwide.

Ingredients

Method

Add all ingredients into a highball glass with ice and top up with coke
Stir gently
Garnish with a lemon slice and serve
Go to recipe

2. The BEMCo

This cocktail blends vodka with cola and a splash of lime juice, sweetened slightly with sugar syrup to cater to those who appreciate a tangy twist on their drinks. It's a modern concoction that plays on the classic appeal of cola, making it both familiar and new. The balance of ingredients is key, offering a refreshing experience that makes it a perfect choice for any social gathering.

Ingredients

Method

Add all the ingredients except the coke to a cocktail shaker with ice and shake well
Strain into an ice-filled rocks glass
Top with coke, garnish with a lime wedge, and serve
Go to recipe

3. Piscola

Bringing a South American twist to cola cocktail culture, this beverage showcases how a simple mix can result in a refreshing and complex drink. With Piscola, the grape brandy Pisco is beautifully complemented by the sweet and fizzy notes of cola, with a dash of Angostura bitters to add depth. Popular in Chile and other parts of South America, it's a drink that embodies the spirit of its people—bold, straightforward, and unpretentiously sophisticated.

Ingredients

Method

Start by adding pisco and bitters to a glass filled with ice, making sure the ice cubes are well distributed for an even chill
Gently top off the glass with cola, being careful not to overpour or disrupt the ice
Give the mixture a brief stir for about 10-15 seconds, just enough to combine the flavors but keep the fizz alive
Enjoy your carefully crafted cocktail immediately to savor the balance of sweetness and bitterness
Go to recipe

4. Jack's Godfather Highball

This imaginative twist on a highball marries the rich flavors of whiskey and amaretto with cola, creating a drink that's both bold and comforting. The incorporation of cola not only adds a layer of complexity but also softens the stronger spirits, making for a harmonious blend that pleases the palate. It's a testament to the creative possibilities that emerge when cola is mixed with the right components.

Ingredients

Method

Begin by gathering all the ingredients for your cocktail
Next, fill a glass with ice to the brim to ensure your drink stays chilled
Carefully pour each ingredient over the ice, measuring to maintain the balance of flavors
Gently stir the mixture for about 10-15 seconds to blend the ingredients well without diluting the cocktail too much
Lastly, take a moment to taste your creation and adjust any ingredients if needed before serving
Go to recipe

5. Whisky and coke

A timeless duo, whiskey and cola combine to create a simple yet profoundly satisfying drink. The whiskey's warmth is perfectly offset by the cola's sweetness, resulting in a cocktail that's both easy to make and universally enjoyed. It's the essence of simplicity, proving that sometimes the best things in life are the most straightforward.

Ingredients

Method

Simply add the whisky into the bottom of a lowball glass with some ice cubes, then top up with the desired amount of coke
Stir and serve
Go to recipe

6. Cuba Libre

Originating from the early 20th century, this cocktail has become synonymous with freedom and the good times that cola can bring to any cocktail. Lime juice adds a zesty twist to the classic mix of white rum and cola, providing a refreshing edge that makes it a popular choice in tropical locales and beachside bars. It's more than just a cocktail; it's a piece of cultural history, invoking images of sunny days and lively nights.

Ingredients

Method

Add the rum and lime juice into a highball glass with ice
Stir and top up with coke
Garnish with a lime wedge and serve
Go to recipe

7. Gold Rush

For those who prefer their cocktails with a bit more kick, this intriguing mix of Jagermeister with cola challenges preconceptions about what makes a good drink. The addition of cinnamon schnapps and bourbon introduces a warm, spicy element that complements the cola's sweetness, creating a layered and unexpected drink. It's a modern concoction that's quickly gaining popularity for its bold flavors and unique character.

Ingredients

Method

Pour one of the shots of Jägermeister and bourbon into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes
Shake well
Pour the other shots of Jägermeister and bourbon into the shaker and shake again
Pour the contents of the shaker into a lowball glass
Top up with the coke, then carefully float the Goldschläger on top and serve
Go to recipe

8. Kola Old Fashioned

Reimagining the classic Old Fashioned with a splash of cola, this cocktail mixes tequila añejo and chocolate bitters to present a sophisticated and contemporary drink. The cola not only sweetens the deal but also lends a modern twist to this traditional favorite, offering a nuanced flavor profile that's as intriguing as it is delicious. It's a perfect example of how cola can be used to bridge the gap between old and new.

Ingredients

Method

Mix the ingredients directly in a lowball glass filled with ice cubes
Stir, garnish with an orange peel and serve
Go to recipe

9. Fernet con Coca

This Argentinian favorite brings together Amaro and cola, offering a herbal yet sweet taste that's surprisingly refreshing. The inherent bitterness of Amaro is expertly balanced by the cola, creating a drink that's both invigorating and soothing. It embodies the spirit of innovation, showing how cola can enhance and transform even the most unexpected ingredients.

Ingredients

Method

Put 4-5 ice cubes in the glass
Pour Fernet Branca over the ice, then holding the glass diagonally, slowly fill the glass with coke
Stir gently and serve
Go to recipe

10. Batanga

A classic cocktail with a salty twist, this combination of tequila, lime juice, and cola, garnished with a pinch of salt, delivers a unique flavor experience. The salt not only enhances the taste but also brings out the sweetness of the cola and the sharpness of the lime, making for a balanced and adventurous drink. It's proof that cola can play a central role in creating innovative and delightful cocktails.

Ingredients

Method

Start by dissolving the salt in the base of your glass with lime juice, mixing until fully dissolved
Next, fill the glass with ice to keep your drink chilled
Then, pour in the remaining ingredients over the ice
Give everything a brief stir for about 10-15 seconds, combining the flavors
Now, your cocktail is ready to enjoy
Go to recipe

Conclusion

Our selection of cocktails was carefully curated to showcase the versatility and appeal of cola in mixology.

Each entry on this list has been chosen for its unique blend of flavors and the way cola complements and enhances the other ingredients. These cocktails stand out due to their balance, taste, and popularity, earning them a spot in the top 10. Whether you prefer a classic Long Island Iced Tea or something more unexpected like the Gold Rush, these fizzy concoctions are sure to impress and refresh, highlighting why cola remains a staple in the cocktail world.

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More about Cola

ORIGINS_HISTORY

What is the history and origin of cola as a cocktail ingredient?

Cola originally gained popularity as a soft drink in the late 19th century, with brands like Coca-Cola emerging in the 1880s. Initially marketed for its medicinal qualities, cola quickly became a beloved beverage worldwide. In the realm of cocktails, cola's incorporation can be traced back to the early 20th century, gaining notoriety with the creation of the Cuba Libre around the 1900s, which combines rum, cola, and lime. Its role in cocktails stems from its unique balance of sweetness, acidity, and effervescence, making it an integral mixer in various alcoholic concoctions. The global popularity and accessibility of cola have solidified its place in mixology history.

INGREDIENT_SUBSTITUTIONS

What are suitable substitutions for cola in cocktails?

If cola is not available, or you're seeking a different flavor profile, several alternatives can be used. Ginger ale or root beer offers a similarly sweet yet spicy flavor, while club soda or sparkling water mixed with a splash of simple syrup and citrus juice can mimic cola's effervescence and sweetness. For a caffeine-free alternative, consider using caffeine-free cola varieties or a dark herbal tea sweetened and chilled. These substitutions can provide a unique twist on classic cola-based cocktails while maintaining the desired balance of sweetness and fizz.

PREPARATION_TECHNIQUES

How should cola be stored and prepared for use in cocktails to maintain its quality?

To preserve the quality of cola for cocktails, it's crucial to store it properly. Keep unopened cola in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to prevent changes in flavor and carbonation. Once opened, store cola in the refrigerator and tightly seal it to maintain its effervescence. For cocktails, chilled cola is preferred to avoid diluting the drink with excessive ice, which can diminish the beverage's overall flavor and carbonation. Pouring cola gently into the drink can also help retain its fizz, enhancing the cocktail's texture and taste.

SERVING_SUGGESTIONS

What are some classic and innovative ways to serve cola in cocktails?

Cola is versatile, serving as both a classic mixer in drinks like the Rum and Cola or Whiskey Cola, and as a base for innovative concoctions. For a classic touch, try the Cuba Libre, which adds lime to the mix, or the Long Island Iced Tea, where cola adds sweetness and color. For something innovative, experiment with cola in tiki cocktails for a pop of sweetness or craft homemade cola syrups for a more artisanal approach. Mixing cola with different flavored liqueurs or infusing it with herbs and spices can also create unique, refreshing beverages suitable for any occasion.

NON_ALCOHOLIC_VARIATIONS

How can cola be used in non-alcoholic cocktails for a similar depth of flavor?

Cola's complex flavor makes it an excellent base for non-alcoholic cocktails, providing a satisfying depth that mimics alcoholic versions. A Virgin Cuba Libre combines cola, lime, and ice for a simple yet refreshing drink. Experimenting with homemade cola syrups, incorporating natural spices and flavorings, can elevate the taste of non-alcoholic mixed drinks. Additionally, mixing cola with fruit juices, herbal teas, or tonic water can create sophisticated, adult-friendly beverages that offer complexity and nuance without the alcohol.