Jack Daniel’s Coca Cola RTD Review

By Richard Thomas

Rating: B

Jack and Coke is the classic whiskey mixer. In fact, insofar as mixers go I believe the only rival for spirits generally is the Cuba Libre, or rum and Coke. Yet unlike the latter, Jack and Coke are very specific. It’s not bourbon and Coke or Tennessee Whiskey and Coke, but specifically Jack. And although I am quite sure this story has nothing to do with how the pairing came to become so popular, the duo have shared roots. Mr. Jack’s heir Lem Motlow was related by marriage to the man who turned Coca Cola from an Atlanta-area drugstore novelty into a national brand. I detail that story in more detail in my latest book Whiskey Stories, as well in my upcoming work on Jack Daniel’s specifically.

Part of the pairing becoming such a cultural fixture is that they really do go together well, so it only followed that the two drinks giants collaborated on a RTD mixer of not just the basic Coca Cola, but also the cherry and vanilla versions. A recently released 6-pack offers a couple each for the whole set of three.

Two general points that apply to all three versions. First, the ABV on this RTD is 7%. That is a good mark, putting it on par with the typical IPA. Too many of these malt drinks and mixers and other things have an alcohol content that is two or three points lower, which is low enough that you can’t actually taste the whiskey. That raises the question of why a whiskey drinker would want it. It would be better to make their own rather than have something so imbalanced as to be a marginally boozy fruit soda. The Jack and Coke RTDs peg the proportions just right. The core version in particular is just like any Jack and Coke I’ve ever had at a bar.

The second general point is to disclaim my grading. Canned mixers are part of the RTD category, which includes bottled and canned cocktails. There are some excellent examples of the latter, and no Jack and Coke is going to be in that league. So, being the best RTD mixer around (and this certainly is, in my experience) still only makes one just good next to a great and proper RTD cocktail.

So, onto the three individual items. The basic Jack and Coke is exactly that. You should be familiar with it, and this is no different. It’s just in a can and ready to go, but will taste just like it was in any bar anywhere in the world. The Jack and Vanilla Coke brings the vanilla in the whiskey together with the vanilla-infused Coke, and more than doubles down on it. It’s like liquified caramel candy meets whiskey meets Coke, and is yummy if one desires that kind of candied drink. Finally, the Jack and Cherry Coke was the only one where the trademark banana note made its presence felt; I think the cherry brought it to the fore.

The Jack and Coke six pack goes for $18.