Instructions
Combine Ingredients:
- Pour 1 oz vodka into a highball glass filled with ice.
Add Cola:
- Add 4 oz cola to the glass.
Serve:
- Add a straw and serve immediately. Enjoy this simple and refreshing classic!
Notes
Estimated Nutrition:
Where it came from
No one ever "invented" the Vodka and Coke in a lab or a fancy speakeasy. This one just kind of happened, probably in a dive bar, a frat house, or someone's kitchen, any time vodka and cola were in the same room. It's the kind of drink that just makes sense when you're not thinking too hard.
It's a highball, pure and simple. Think of it as the less fussy cousin to a Rum and Coke or a Jack and Coke. It shares that same easy-drinking DNA, but with vodka's neutral canvas, it lets the cola do most of the talking. It's for when you want a spirit in your soda, but don't want to taste the spirit too much.
You'll find this drink everywhere from a backyard BBQ to a busy club. It's a staple in places where speed and consistency matter more than artisanal ice or obscure bitters. Don't expect a bartender to wax poetic about it, but they'll make you one without batting an eye.
What it tastes like
The taste is exactly what you expect: sweet, fizzy cola with a subtle warmth from the vodka. The neutral spirit lets the cola's caramel, vanilla, and spice notes shine through. It's refreshing and dangerously easy to drink, especially if you like your soda with a bit of a kick.
With 1 oz of 80-proof vodka in a 5 oz drink, you're looking at roughly 8% ABV. That's stronger than most standard beers, so don't let its soda-like nature fool you into slamming too many. Treat it with respect, or it might treat you to a headache.
The technique
Building a Vodka and Coke is about as complicated as tying your shoes. Grab a highball glass, fill it with ice, pour in your vodka, then top it off with cola. Give it a gentle stir if you feel fancy, but really, the bubbles will do most of the mixing for you. Serve it with a straw if you want to keep your lipstick intact.
The one trick that separates a decent Vodka and Coke from a great one? Keep your cola ice-cold, and use fresh, solid ice. Dilution is the enemy of a good drink, and warm cola with quickly melting ice just turns into a sad, flat mess. Don't cheap out on the ice.
Ingredient Spotlight
The bottles that make or break this drink.
Vodka
- Use
- Any decent, unflavored 80-proof vodka. Smirnoff, Absolut, Tito's, whatever you usually keep on hand.
- Skip
- Anything flavored, ultra-premium stuff, or anything you'd sip neat. Save your Grey Goose for a Martini.
- Why
- Vodka here is a workhorse. It adds the booze without getting in the way of the cola's flavor. You're not looking for complex notes, just a clean spirit.
Cola
- Use
- Coca-Cola or Pepsi. The real deal. Whatever your preference for a classic soda taste.
- Skip
- Diet cola (unless you absolutely have to) or any obscure, craft colas. This isn't the drink for experimentation.
- Why
- The cola is the star of the show. Its specific balance of sweetness, carbonation, and spice is what makes this drink work. Don't mess with a good thing.
Three Variations
Three real ways bartenders riff on this drink.
Rum and Coke
- The OG cola highball
- Swap the vodka for your favorite dark or light rum for a richer, more aromatic experience. A squeeze of lime is practically mandatory here.
Jack and Coke
- Whiskey with a soda chaser
- Replace vodka with Jack Daniel's or another Tennessee whiskey. The whiskey's caramel and oak notes play nicely with the cola.
Long Island Iced Tea
- When you want all the spirits
- If you're feeling ambitious and want way more booze, this uses vodka, rum, tequila, gin, and triple sec, topped with cola. It's a whole different animal.
What if I don't have…
Quick substitutions for when the bottle shop is closed.
Try white rum for a similar neutral base, or gin if you're okay with a juniper kick. Tequila also works for a different vibe.
Dr Pepper or any dark soda with a similar sweet and spicy profile can work in a pinch. Root beer will give you a completely different but still tasty drink.
Any tall glass, like a pint glass or even a large tumbler, will do. Just make sure it holds enough ice and liquid.
It's a highball, you can just drink it from the rim. The straw is mostly for convenience and keeping the ice out of your teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Direct answers to what people search for after Googling this drink.
What is in a Vodka and Coke?
It's a two-ingredient drink: vodka and cola, served over ice in a highball glass.
Is Vodka and Coke a strong drink?
It's typically around 8% ABV, which is stronger than most beers. It goes down easy, so don't underestimate it.
What kind of vodka is best for Vodka and Coke?
Any standard 80-proof unflavored vodka works well. You don't need anything fancy, as the cola is the dominant flavor.
Should I stir a Vodka and Coke?
A gentle stir ensures the ingredients are mixed, but the carbonation from the cola does most of the work. Don't overdo it and lose the fizz.
Can I use diet cola?
You can, but expect a different taste profile and mouthfeel. It won't have the same sweetness or body as a regular cola version.
What's the difference between a Vodka and Coke and a Cuba Libre?
A Cuba Libre uses rum instead of vodka and always includes a squeeze of fresh lime, which makes a big difference in flavor.
Why is my Vodka and Coke flat?
This usually happens if your cola wasn't cold enough to begin with or if you used too little ice, leading to rapid dilution and lost carbonation.
What glass should I use for a Vodka and Coke?
A highball glass is the standard choice, providing enough room for ice, vodka, and cola, and keeping it cold.
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