Crown Royal vanilla flavored whiskey mixed with Coca-Cola, commonly referred to as Crown and Coke, can make a delicious and refreshing cocktail. The sweet vanilla tones of the whiskey pair nicely with the fizzy Coke. However, as with any drink, personal taste preferences will determine if this cocktail hits the spot. Let’s explore the characteristics of Crown Royal vanilla and Coke to help determine if this combo makes a good beverage choice.
What is Crown Royal Vanilla Whiskey?
Crown Royal is a popular Canadian whisky, distilled by Crown Royal Distilleries in Gimli, Manitoba. The classic Crown Royal is a blend of over 50 whiskies that are aged a minimum of 3 years in oak barrels. It has a smooth, creamy, and slightly woody flavor profile.
Crown Royal Vanilla is an extension of the original Crown Royal whisky that is flavored with vanilla. Natural vanilla extract is blended with the whisky to impart a sweet, aromatic vanilla taste and aroma. The vanilla adds a layer of flavor that compliments the distinctive smoothness of classic Crown Royal. Crown Royal Vanilla was first released in 2012 and has grown in popularity for its sweet, creamy, and mellow flavor notes.
Taste Profile
On its own, Crown Royal Vanilla has a sweet and rich aroma with a strong vanilla scent. The flavor delivers notes of vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit. It has a syrupy, smooth mouthfeel and finish. The vanilla provides a pronounced sweetness that rounds out the woody undertones of the base Canadian whisky. It has a lower alcohol burn than regular Crown Royal, making it slightly easier to drink neat or on the rocks.
What Does Coca-Cola Taste Like?
Coca-Cola, often referred to simply as Coke, is a classic cola soft drink known for its distinctive, sparkling taste. It is made from carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, natural flavors, and caffeine. Here is an overview of Coke’s taste profile:
Fizzy and Bubbly
The carbonation gives Coke a highly effervescent, bubbly mouthfeel. The tingling carbonation sensation is part of what makes drinking Coke feel refreshing.
Sweet Taste
Coke has a pronounced sweetness primarily from the high fructose corn syrup. The sweetness helps balance the slight bitter bite from the cola flavorings.
Slightly Salty
There are subtle salty or savory notes in Coke thanks to the sodium content. This salty taste works to enhance the sweetness.
Cola Flavor
The caramel coloring and secret cola flavor blend gives Coke its distinctive cola taste. These flavors provide burnt sugar, citrusy, and almost peppery spice notes.
Caffeine Kick
Coke contains 34 mg caffeine per 12 oz serving. The caffeine provides an energizing lift to the sweet cola flavors.
How Do Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke Taste Together?
The combination of Crown Royal Vanilla whiskey and Coca-Cola creates a drink with layered sweet flavors. The vanilla whiskey’s creamy, dessert-like taste takes on the fizzy effervescence of the cola. Here’s an overview of how the flavors mesh together:
Sweetness
Both Coke and Crown Royal Vanilla have pronounced sweetness, which makes this cocktail extra sweet. The high sugar content creates rich, candy-like taste.
Carbonation
The carbonation helps lift the viscous vanilla flavors and makes the cocktail feel lighter and more refreshing.
Creamy Vanilla
The forward vanilla flavor comes through, rounding out the cola taste with aromatic vanilla richness.
Cola Spice
The cola nuances such as citrus, pepper, and caramel provide a contrasting spicy backdrop to the vanilla’s dairy impression.
Fizzy Finish
The carbonation leaves a bubbly, tingly finish that lingers after each sip. The fizzy sensations help cut through the sweetness.
Lower Alcohol Burn
The lower alcohol percentage of Crown Royal Vanilla makes this cocktail smoother and easier drinking than Coke mixed with harder liquors.
Cocktail Recipes with Crown Vanilla and Coke
Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke can be enjoyed as simple two ingredient highball. But for more complex cocktails, Crown Vanilla pairs nicely with additional liquors and flavorings in mixed drinks. Here are two cocktail recipes that use Crown Vanilla and Coke as a base:
Vanilla Whiskey Coke Float
This ice cream cocktail combines the Crown Vanilla and Coke with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a boozy float. The ice cream adds creamy vanilla richness that complements the Crown Vanilla.
Ingredients:
- 2 oz Crown Royal Vanilla
- 4 oz chilled Coca-Cola
- 1 large scoop vanilla ice cream
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass halfway with ice.
- Pour in the Crown Royal Vanilla and top with Coca-Cola.
- Gently stir 3-4 times to combine.
- Top with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- Serve with a spoon and straw.
Crown Peach Tea
For a fruity twist, this cocktail brings together Crown Vanilla, Coke, peach schnapps and iced tea.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 oz Crown Royal Vanilla
- 3 oz chilled Coca-Cola
- 1 oz peach schnapps
- 2 oz brewed iced tea
- Lemon wedge garnish
Instructions:
- Fill a highball glass with ice.
- Pour in Crown Royal Vanilla, Coke, peach schnapps and iced tea.
- Gently stir 3-4 times to combine.
- Squeeze lemon wedge over drink and drop into glass.
- Serve with a straw.
Considerations When Mixing Crown Vanilla Coke
Like any cocktail, there are some factors to consider to achieve an optimal Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke drink. Here are a few tips:
Use Cold Ingredients
Chilling both the Crown Vanilla and the Coke helps maintain carbonation and prevents dilution as the ice melts.
Mind the Ratios
Equal parts whiskey and Coke is common, but you can adjust ratios depending on preference. More Coke will make it sweeter and lower alcohol. More whiskey makes it boozier.
Glassware
A highball glass is best for plenty of ice and room for the fizz. A stemmed glass can also work nicely.
Garnish Options
Garnishes like lemon, lime, or cherries can provide extra flavor. Or keep it simple and go garnish free.
Use a Straw
A straw helps mix the layers and directs the carbonation as you sip.
Add Fresh Squeezed Juice
For a fresher, lighter flavor, substitute soda water and a splash of fresh squeezed juice like orange, lemon or lime instead of Coke.
The Pros of Mixing Crown Vanilla and Coke
There are several advantages to mixing Crown Royal Vanilla whisky and Coca-Cola together as a cocktail:
Easy to Make
With just two main ingredients that most people have on hand at home bars, Crown and Coke is extremely simple to make.
Complementary Flavors
The vanilla whiskey and cola taste profiles pair well together, with the vanilla smoothing out the cola’s bite.
Customizable
You can tweak the cocktail ratios and add other ingredients to suit personal preferences.
Versatile for Occasions
It’s a casual enough cocktail for everyday drinking, but also works well for parties or events.
Refreshing
The carbonation and chilled temperature makes Crown Vanilla cola drinks pleasingly fizzy and refreshing to drink.
The Cons of Mixing Crown Vanilla and Coke
There are also some potential drawbacks to note about mixing Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke:
Very High in Sugar
With two sugar-sweetened beverages, this cocktail is extremely high in added sugars.
Can Taste Too Sweet
The combination may be overpoweringly sweet for some palates.
Loses Subtle Flavor Nuances
The cola can overtake the subtle vanilla and whiskey notes.
Highly Caloric
A standard serving packs around 300 calories, mostly from added sugars.
Not As Strong
The Coke dilutes the alcohol content of the whiskey, which reduces potency for those seeking a strong drink.
Alternatives to Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke
If the combination of Crown Vanilla and Coke is not appealing, here are a few alternative cocktail ideas:
Crown Apple and Cranberry Juice
Crown Royal Apple mixed with cranberry juice makes a crisp fall cocktail.
Crown Peach Tea Lemonade
Combine Crown Peach with iced tea, lemonade, and vodka for a fruity Southern cocktail.
Maple Crown Old Fashioned
An old fashioned cocktail made with Crown XO maple flavored whiskey and orange bitters.
Crown and Ginger Ale
For a lighter, less sweet option, mix original Crown Royal with spicy ginger ale instead of Coke.
Nutrition Information
Here is a nutrition breakdown for a typical serving of Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke, based on 1.5 oz whiskey and 6 oz cola:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 295 |
| Carbohydrates | 42 g |
| Sugar | 39 g |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Protein | 0 g |
| Caffeine | 34 mg |
The Bottom Line
Crown Royal Vanilla and Coke can make a delicious cocktail pairing for many, delivering creamy vanilla sweetness blended with fizzy cola spice. The drink is easy to make, highly customizable, and has a comforting flavor profile. However, it is extremely high in sugar and calories, so enjoyment in moderation is key. Ultimately it comes down to personal taste preference. Try out Crown Vanilla and Coke to determine if you find it to be a satisfying beverage choice.