Jack & Coke Steaks

Juicy, tender, and packed with bold, smoky flavor, these Jack and Coke Steaks were made for summer grilling. The sweet heat of the marinade caramelizes perfectly on the grill, locking in flavor with every sizzle. If you’re looking for a steak that turns heads and tastes like something from your favorite steakhouse, this one’s calling your name.

I am typically not one to marinate my steaks. Usually, I just sprinkle them with a little salt and pepper and move on with my life. But when I first shared this Jack and Coke Steak recipe over a decade ago, my mind changed about steak marinades. This one has an awesome taste to it, and I encourage you to try it yourself. 

Jack & Coke Steaks

There’s just something about firing up the grill that makes a summer evening feel complete, and these Jack and Coke Steaks are made for those moments. The marinade is bold, a little sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. It’s perfect for celebrating Father’s Day, a backyard cookout, or any night you’re craving something with a bit of bite. The combination of Jack Daniel’s and Coca-Cola creates a flavor that’s a bit unexpected, making these steaks a conversation starter every time.

Love steak? Me, too! Check out this recipe for Salisbury Steak and Mushrooms, and don’t miss this Chicken Fried Steak recipe, it’s delicious!

Jack and Coke Marinade

This recipe calls for New York strip steaks, but you can easily swap in your favorite cut. Ribeye is a great alternative if you like a little more marbling, and flank steak also takes well to this marinade if sliced thin after grilling. If you don’t have Jack Daniel’s on hand, another good-quality whiskey or bourbon will work just fine. For a milder version, you can dial back the hot sauce or use a sweet BBQ sauce in its place. The marinade is versatile enough to adjust to your heat tolerance and pantry staples.

Ingredients for Jack and Coke Steaks

For complete ingredients and instructions, scroll to the bottom of this post for the full printable recipe card. 

• New York strip steaks – you can also use ribeye, sirloin, or flank steak, whatever you prefer
• Jack Daniel’s Whiskey – although any good quality whiskey or bourbon will work
• Coca-Cola – use regular Coke, not diet, for best flavor and tenderizing
• Lite soy sauce – regular soy sauce works too, I use lite to watch the sodium
• Lemon juice – fresh is ideal, but bottled works in a pinch
• Worcestershire sauce – brings a savory richness
• Hot sauce – use your favorite hot sauce, or use BBQ sauce for a milder option
• Brown sugar – light or dark brown sugar both work well for caramelized flavor
• Garlic – minced, garlic powder can be substituted if you are out of fresh or “jarlic”
• Black pepper – freshly ground, adds extra flavor

Be sure to keep reading to find tips and tricks, substitutions, and answers to questions you may have about this recipe for steaks with a whiskey cola marinade.

How to Make Jack and Coke Steaks

You’ll want to plan to start this recipe early in the day to get the steaks in the marinade.

Use a sharp knife to score the tops of the steaks in a grid pattern about ¼-inch deep.

Whisk together all of the marinade ingredients.

Place the marinade in a zipper bag with the steaks and massage to coat. Place the steaks in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight (or freeze and the steaks will marinate as they thaw).

About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the steaks from the refrigerator to bring them closer to room temperature.

Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat and cook to the desired temperature.

Storing & Reheating Leftovers

Once your steaks have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap the cooked steaks in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, avoid the microwave if possible, as it can dry out the meat. Instead, warm the steak gently in a skillet over low to medium heat with a splash of water or beef broth and cover with a lid until heated through. You can also wrap the steak in foil and reheat it in a 275°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, just until warmed through.

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If you love this Jack and Coke Steak Recipe, make sure that you don’t lose it! Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go!

How to Grill the Perfect Marinated Steak

When it comes to grilling, a few tricks can take your steak from good to great. Letting the steaks come to room temperature for about 30 minutes before they hit the grill helps them cook more evenly. Scoring the surface before marinating allows the flavors to sink in deeper, and always start with a clean, hot grill to get a great sear. Use a meat thermometer if you’re unsure about doneness. Aim for 130°F for medium rare, 140°F for medium, 150°F for medium well, and 160°F for well done. Let the steaks rest for about 5 minutes after cooking before serving.

More Recipes to Love

I have several recipes that use bourbon or whiskey on my blog, and some of them are quite unexpected! Take these Vanilla Crown Royal Cookies, pictured above, this Honey Bourbon Sauce, and these Chocolate Bourbon Balls.

While you are grilling this summer, I have some must-make recipes: Apple Moonshine Glazed Pork Chops, Sweet & Sticky Grilled Chicken, and this Smoked Pork Loin. If you found this recipe and it’s not grilling season, never fear, this article helps you to prepare the most wonderful steak right in your broiler. Heck, wash any of them down with a classic Jack & Coke. Why not?

Whether you’re grilling for Father’s Day, a weekend cookout, or just because, these steaks with Jack and Coke marinade are guaranteed to steal the show. With bold flavor, tender texture, and just the right amount of sizzle, this is one recipe you’ll want to come back to all summer long.

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Print Recipe

Jack and Coke Steaks

Juicy, tender, and packed with bold, smoky flavor, these Jack and Coke Steaks were made for summer grilling. The sweet heat of the marinade caramelizes perfectly on the grill, locking in flavor with every sizzle. If you’re looking for a steak that turns heads and tastes like something from your favorite steakhouse, this one’s calling your name.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time15 minutes mins

Additional Time2 hours hrs

Total Time2 hours hrs 15 minutes mins

Course: Beef

Cuisine: American

Keyword: grilling, Jack & Coke Steaks, Jack Daniels, steak marinade, steak,

Servings: 4

Calories: 658kcal

Author: Michaela Kenkel

Equipment

• Weber Spirit S-315 Liquid Propane Gas Grill, Stainless Steel
• Char-Broil 4-Burner Cart Style Liquid Propane Gas Grill
• Grill Set Heavy Duty BBQ Accessories – BBQ Tool Set 4pc Grill Accessories

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• ½ cup Jack Daniel’s Whiskey
• 1 cup Coca Cola
• 1/3 cup lite soy sauce
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 Tablespoon hot sauce
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 pounds New York Strip Steaks

Instructions

• Use a sharp knife to score the tops of the steaks in a grid pattern about ¼-inch deep.
• Whisk together all of the marinade ingredients. Place the marinade in a zipper bag with the steaks and massage to coat. Place the steaks in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight (or freeze and the steaks will marinate as they thaw).
• About 30 minutes before cooking, remove the steaks from the refrigerator to bring them closer to room temperature.
• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat and cook to desired temperature.

Notes

Once your steaks have cooled completely, store any leftovers in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in foil or plastic wrap. They’ll keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. If you want to freeze them, wrap the cooked steaks in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat, avoid the microwave if possible, as it can dry out the meat. Instead, warm the steak gently in a skillet over low to medium heat with a splash of water or beef broth and cover with a lid until heated through. You can also wrap the steak in foil and reheat it in a 275°F oven for about 10 to 15 minutes, just until warmed through.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 658kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 48g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 138mg | Sodium: 1347mg | Potassium: 737mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 46IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 48mg | Iron: 5mg

This recipe was originally posted on June 8, 2014. It has been updated to improve the user experience and reshared on June 12, 2025.