Looking to mix a sweet yet oaky cocktail in less time than it takes to clean up afterward? Here’s how you can make the perfect Crown and Coke, plus a few fun ways to play around with the taste.
What is Crown and Coke?
First and foremost, Crown and Coke is a variation of rum and coke where you replace the rum with Crown Royal whiskey.
What’s the difference between rum and whiskey? It’s mostly down to ingredients. Rum is distilled from sugarcane byproducts while whiskey comes from fermented grain mash. This, plus some differences in the fermenting process, give us two drinks with two different tastes. Rum tends to be the richer and spicier of the two and is also a bit sweeter. Whiskey, on the other hand, is more aromatic. You can sort of “taste” the barrel it was aged in.
Also, fun fact—whiskey was first distilled in Greece. (They were also one of the first people to make wine. They sure knew how to party.) The Greeks distilled spirits into all kinds of perfumes. Over the years, the art of distilling shifted focus from fragrances to flagons and whisky has poured itself across Europe and the entire world.
Now, on to the star of the show, Crown Royal whiskey.
Crown Royal is a blended Canadian whiskey that was created by Seagram. It was first bottled in 1939, for the royal family’s tour of Canada that year. The frosty northerners hoarded their precious booze until the 1960s when it was first introduced to international markets. To absolutely no one’s surprise, it was a hit.
We’re sure the “Coke” half of Crown and Coke doesn’t need an introduction. So let’s talk about the cocktail itself. Mix it right, and Crown and Coke combines the sweet, caramelly taste of Coke with the vanilla, brown sugar, and oaky notes of Crown Royal. With a few touches here and there, this is a simple cocktail with perfectly complementary flavors.
Thirsty? Let’s get mixing. Here’s how to make Crown and Coke in 90 seconds.
How to make Crown and Coke
Want to know the secret ingredient in every successful cocktail?
It’s simple—you just have to get the ratios right.
When it comes to Crown and Coke, most people get too heavy-handed with the Coke. DO NOT make this mistake. Here’s the best ratio for mixing a Crown and Coke:
- 2 parts cola; to
- 1 part Crown Royal.
For a single drink, pour yourself 2 ounces Crown Royal and 4 ounces cola.
See how simple it is? Told you it’s a 90-second cocktail.
Don’t forget some Vitamin C!
No, don’t pop a vitamin tablet in your drink. But we do recommend adding a bit of lemon. Here’s why.
Most people find that the sweetness of the cola is overwhelming. Imagine taking the sophisticated flavor of the Crown Royal, and hitting it over the head with a blunt instrument. But you can avoid this mixing mishap.
Use the juice from 1 lemon wedge (about 1 teaspoon) to cut the sweetness with some acidic tang. Depending on your taste, you can go up to about ½ ounce (1 tablespoon). Trust us—you’ll notice the improvement.
Simple Crown and Coke variations you can try
Feeling adventurous? Here are some classic (and not-so-classic) spins you can put on the Crown and Coke cocktail.
- Rum and Coke or Cuba Libre
- Jack and coke (Jack Daniels)
- Whiskey and coke (any whiskey or bourbon would do)
- Red wine and coke for a Kalimotxo (use equal parts wine and coke)
- Gin and coke
- Vodka and coke
- Tequila and coke
- Hennessy and coke (use 1.5 ounces, Hennessy, to 4 ounces coke)
Final thoughts!
Whether you have guests over or you’re just looking to unwind after a long day, every second counts when you’re mixing a cocktail. That’s why this 90 second Crown and Coke should save your skin in a pinch. It’s simple, customizable, and is an extremely capable thirst-buster.
Got any fun cocktail stories? Let us know in the comments!
