Definition of "a rum and coke"
 

Just a random question:

While flying in C/J the other day I ordered a "rum and coke" as my pre-dinner drink and expected either a glass with 1-2 ounces of rum topped up with coke (ice + lemon/lime being a bonus) or an empty glass, 1-2 miniature bottles and a can of coke.

However, I received a large glass of rum filled to the very top (~6 ounches / 180ml) and a glass of coke filled to the very top.

My first thought was "what the heck:rolleyes:", but I´m wondering: Is there any place in the world where this would have been the standard?

Interesting history. Many variations. I would not complain about the generous portions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba_Libre

I read the article, and couldn´t find any variation where both liquids are served in two separate glasses - especially not in a 1:1 ratio.:p

Of course I didn´t complain, but serving it this way seemed slightly off, not to mention serving a 1/4 bottle of rum at once during a 1h flight doesn´t necessarily seem like the best idea to me.

There was a bar in Austin (Bar Fly... not sure if it still exists) but it was great because I would order a rum and coke and they would give you a glass of rum with a splash of Coke, so you know you were getting your money's worth. I think the bartender was the owner so he was a little more liberal with his measurements, plus I recall the prices being reasonable.

Sounds like "rum macchiato" with just a "stain" of cola. Nice.

Sounds like they thought you ordered "a rum and a Coke". :)

what country was this? (what route?) What airline? Doesn't sound like it was prepared by someone familiar with even the most basic cocktails? Not a US based airline, I presume?

I was on an AA flight in J a number of years back and I asked for a scotch and water. The FA brought me a glass full of scotch and a glass full of water and said "you look like the kind of guy who likes to mix his own drink".

I'd be shocked and not a little angry if they did anything else.

Short-haul flight within North America. However, FA was of Asian descent so there may have been a cultural component.

:D

I guess that comment is half-way between "I like you, so I´m being extra-generous" and "you look like an alcoholic, so here´s your 5 shots".

In various countries, the alcohol comes in one glass with ice, and then the mixer comes in the bottle (a separate charge) - often, the alcohol glass is "generously-poured" and you simply keep putting in mixer and drink it down.

Workin' for the Yankee dollar.

This is a very common occurrence at the bar in my basement.

while not directly relevant to OP's experience, it did remind me of flying on JAL, where i had to ask for a "whiskey and coke with no coke" to get the glass of whiskey i wanted.

You ordered a rum AND coke, not a rumn'coke.

The FA probably misheard it as "a rum" and "a coke". It's not like an inflight aircraft is exactly quiet.

Once I was on an international flight and attempted to order a Cuba Libre, was told they were all out of rum on the flight.

Instead, I asked the FA for Wild Turkey and Coke. She proceeded to bring back a glass of about 8oz of Wild Turkey, and 8oz of Coke. The FA didn't seem to understand I just wanted to substitute out the rum for bourbon, but I was fine with it. It cut down time between refills.

Many Cubans I know call a Rum and Coke or Cuba Libre a Mentira or Mentirita (Lie or little lie) because Cuba is not free.

Reminds me of the movie "Five Easy Pieces"...hold the chicken.

I was on a UA flight recently and requested a vodka and orange juice. I received a glass of vodka and a glass of orange juice. I was expecting a partially filled glass of orange juice with ice in it and a little bottle of vodka.

That's how we were drinking it in bars and restaurants in Colombia - our Colombian hosts ordered a half bottle of rum and a can of sprite to go with it :eek: :D

So, I'm trying to figure out how you drink this - outside of asking for a THIRD glass.

You could drink some of the coke and then top it up with Rum - carefully, but then at the end you'd have drunk some straight coke, some R&C, and you're still left with half a glass (or more) of Rum. I guess you could then ask for more coke??

That´s exactly what I did - drink some rum, mix a R&C and ask for a can of coke. I guess you could also drink half a glass of rum straight and then enjoy some R&C.:D

Yes but unlike a Rum & Coke a Cuba Libre has a shot of lime juice.

Does the quality of rum make a difference in a rum or whiskey and coke? Is it worth popping for a bottle of Captain or Crown if the rum is diluted by the coke?

I would never waste a $50-$100 bottle of rum when mixing a rum&coke, but yes, IMO there is a difference between using <$8/bottle crap and a slightly better rum in the ~$15 range such as Captain Morgan, Havana Club etc.

I´m not really a whiskey drinker, but the same idea probably applies: Don´t waste an expensive single malt / bourbon / etc., but also avoid the very cheap stuff.

I don't think I've ever had an expensive rum drink, how does one take it? On the rocks? Mojito?

While I´m not a person to spend that much for a bottle of rum (not a huge fan of spirits in general), I´ve most commonly seen people drink expensive rum straight as it is or on the rocks.

Generally speaking: The sweeter/fruitier the drink/cocktail is, the cheaper the rum can be.:p

While coke contains a lot of sugar, it´s obviously not fruity, so one does notice/taste what type of rum was used (unlike a fruity rum punch, for instance).

Neat or on the rocks. Anniversaro from Venezuela is highly recommended.

I ordered a half scotch and water at a fairly nice hotel in SG. Instead of half a shot I am fairly certain I got half a glass... can't be certain cause I ordered another!

I was once at one of those "bad" hotel restaurants. You know the type - huge room, even longer menu, few diners, everything frozen and reheated before serving...

Anyway, I went to the bar first, and was waited on by the restaurant server (yes, singular, THE server) who was doing double duty as the bartender hadn't shown up. I asked for a decent Scotch [can't remember which brand] and she served me a water glass FULL of single malt. Dinner became sort of redundant after that.

I was once on a junket in Mexico and was taken to a magnificent whorehouse in Acapulco where I ordered a Scotch and Canada Dry with a small but perfectly formed Mexican temptress on the side.
A full bottle of Johnnie Walker Black Label duly appeared carried by the dusky-skinned stunner.
That,inevitably,is all I can remember of the evening.
I hope I didn't let the side down.