Bourbon & Coke

The Postman Always Rings Twice, James M. Cain, 1934

2 parts bourbon

1 part Coca-Cola

1 lemon twist, for garnish

Fill a mason jar with ice.

Add the bourbon and soda and stir until chilled.

Garnish with the lemon twist and enjoy.

I went to my room and got the liquor. It was a quart of Bourbon, three quarters full. I went down, got some Coca Cola glasses, and ice cubes, and White Rock, and came back upstairs. She had taken her hat off and let her hair down. I fixed two drinks. They had some White Rock in them, and a couple of pieces of ice, but the rest was out of the bottle.

Technically, this recipe calls for bourbon and White Rock soda, but since the glasses were Coke glasses, the substitution of Coca-Cola is entirely appropriate. This controversial novel follows the exploits of Frank and Cora, two lovers who plot to murder Cora’s older husband. Unfortunately for them, everything keeps going wrong, and it all turns out very badly for both of them. Their only relief might have been to drink more Bourbon and Coke!

It’s a simple recipe with just the two named ingredients and perhaps a lemon twist to give it a bit more zing. Murder plots not required. Or recommended.