That said, there are a few ways to take cola-based cocktails to the next level this summer, according to Ayisha Mares (they/them), Distiller at Vara Winery & Distillery in Albuquerque. Parade asked Mares if there was a simple way to turn cola into a fancy summer drink, and they had the perfect suggestion: a "dirty" rum and cola.
? SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter ?
"The reason we love cola in the first place is that it is sweet, refreshing, perfectly spiced, and carries enough acidity to keep you wanting another sip," Cody Fredrickson, the Tasting Room Manager and Brand Mixologist at Las Vegas Distillery, tells Parade. "The goal is to play off that built in balance rather than override it, so whatever you add should complement the cola instead of burying it."
Related: 20 Boozy Summer Cocktails That Work for Memorial Day Through Labor Day
"I personally love using a sugar-free cola because it lets the flavors from the rum, coconut and lime stand out while still bringing those classic cola notes in," they explain. "It’s simple, refreshing, and turns an everyday drink into something that feels fun."
1.5 oz aged rum4 oz sugar-free cola¾ oz coconut cream½ oz fresh lime juice2 Dashes aromatic bitters (optional)Lime wheel for garnishIce
How to Make a Dirty Rum & Cola
Once you have all your ingredients, cocktail shaker and glass at the ready, here's how to make a Dirty Rum & Cola, according to Mares:
Add rum, fresh lime juice and bitters into a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until chilled, then strain into a glass over fresh ice.Top with sugar-free cola and gently stir to combine while keeping the carbonation.Slowly pour coconut cream over the top to create a float.Garnish with a lime wheel."As a distiller, I’m always thinking about how flavors build off each other, and cola actually has a lot to work with," they continue. "The caramel, vanilla and spice notes pair really well with aged rum, while the fresh lime keeps the drink bright and refreshing. The coconut float adds a creamy texture and tropical element, plus it creates a fun layered look before you stir everything together."
When it comes to elevating a glass of coke, Mares and Fredrickson have endless ideas — here are five more ways to take your cola to the next level this summer.
Related: The Mexican Way to Make Coca-Cola 10x Better
2. Rum and Cola With Orange Cinnamon Syrup
To make the syrup, combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 cup water on a stovetop until the sugar dissolves. Then, add orange peel and 2 cinnamon sticks and simmer for five minutes. Let the syrup sit for at least 20 minutes before straining, and then add it to a rum and coke over ice!
Related: 9 Gin Joint-Inspired Cocktails to Try This Summer
4. Good Grief
The Good Grief is a cocktail that Fredrickson and his team created in the Las Vegas Distillery tasting room, inspired by the Southern tradition of dropping peanuts in cola.
5. Espresso Twist
An Espresso Twist simply involves adding a splash of chilled espresso or cold brew to a classic rum and coke—preferably, using an aged rum. Mares says this "creates a rich, balanced cocktail that brings out the caramel and vanilla notes already found in both the rum and the cola."
Related: Starbucks Expands Its Summer Menu Again With 5 Fruity New Drinks
Sources:
Ayisha Mares, Distiller at Vara Winery & DistilleryCody Fredrickson, Tasting Room Manager and Brand Mixologist at Las Vegas DistilleryHence then, the article about the simple way to turn cola into the perfect fancy summer drink was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The Simple Way To Turn Cola Into the Perfect Fancy Summer Drink )
Also on site :
- ESMO 2026 .. Mabwell to Present Latest Clinical Data on Nectin-4-targeting ADC 9MW2821 for Triple Negative Breast Cancer in Oral Presentation
- I worked with Trump. I know why he is being so easily goaded into a forever war
- On Sebastia’s hilltop, Israelis and Palestinians are fighting over who owns the past and controls the present