Review: Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD Canned Cocktail

Editor’s Note: This RTD was provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. This in no way, per our editorial policies, influenced the final outcome of this review.

What is the most valuable spirit brand in the world? Brown-Forman-owned Jack Daniel’s. What is the most valuable beverage brand in the world? Coca-Cola. It is fitting that the two have been combined together in college bars (and other kinds of bars) across America in one of the world’s most requested “bar calls” cocktails: the Jack and Coke.

In a Covid-era project, Brown-Forman and Coca-Cola started working on a RTD (“ready to drink”) version of Jack and Coke. In late 2021, they jointly launched the beverage in Mexico and recently, at the end of this past March, it was released in the United States. 

Chances are that you’ve had a Jack and Coke. Whether you love it, hate it, or don’t have a strong opinion, most people can quickly identify the drink after a whiff or sip. Jack Daniel’s is a particularly identifiable spirit because of its sweetness and flavor of banana, nuts, and caramel. The beauty of the drink is that the sweet, caramel-flavored spirit matches easily with the sweet, vanilla and cinnamon-flavored Coca-Cola, rendering an amplified version of both – a sweet, caramel and vanilla flavored drink. 

Here at The Whiskey Wash, we received a four-pack of the new Jack and Coke in a can. The can is attractive as the black and white colors of Jack Daniel’s blend well with the classic Coca-Cola red label. The cocktail is 7.0% alcohol and has 270 calories per serving (there is a 140 calorie version with Coca-Cola Zero).

In a glass, the drink looks exactly like a Coca-Cola, but the sweet corn and alcohol aroma clearly tells you Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is in the mix. 

We review Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD Canned Cocktail, the classic dive bar cocktail done up in an official canned cocktail. (image via Jeffrey Nitschke/The Whiskey Wash)

Tasting Notes: Jack Daniel’s & Coca-Cola RTD Canned Cocktail

Details: 12 oz; 7% ABV; $10-$15 for a four-pack. 

Impressions: To their credit, the makers got the balance well dialed in. Maybe I was pouring heavy back in the day, but the distinct Jack Daniel’s flavor is more muted than I’m used to and the Coca-Cola flavor is brought to the fore. I would recommend you put it on the rocks as it improves the flavor and the drink goes down pretty quickly in a can.

Between $10 and $15 for four, the cocktail costs what other RTD drinks have been priced at. However, a whole bottle of Jack Daniel’s Old No. 7 is roughly $30 and a 2 liter bottle of Coca-Cola is roughly $3 (or $5 for a 12 pack). I can make A LOT more than 4 cocktails with that much liquid.

Yet, I do think this cocktail has its place. If you’re going tailgating, hiking, or having a party and you want a few different drink options, getting a few cans of this is a great alternative to investing in a $30 bottle of something you might drink infrequently. It’s quick, easy, tastes good, and is not too expensive.

Given the popularity of the cocktail, I’m sure it will be a great seller.