Jack and Coke

PHOTO by ROSHEILA ROBLES

Jack and Coke: It’s a tasty kick in the face as distinctively American as apple pie—or, perhaps, Johnny Cash and bartenders who have little tolerance for girly drinks ending in “-tini” (other than a straight-up martini). And there’s no better place to get reacquainted with Mr. Daniel and his 80-proof happiness than at Johnny’s Saloon, a hole-in-the-wall-and-proud-of-it bar packed with punk/rockabilly/all-things-Cash imagery and no-nonsense barkeeps (read: imposing guys and girls with plenty of visible tattoos). It helps, of course, that this darkened corner of a nondescript strip mall offers Jack and Cokes for $3 on Tuesdays (the bar is lined with a shelf of the empty JD bottles) and serves them nice and strong, fitting for a joint that prominently features a photo of Cash flipping the bird during his 1969 jaunt through San Quentin State Prison. Though Jack’s potency doesn’t compare to the mightiness of, say, the 101-proof favorite Wild Turkey, this Lynchburg, Tenn., whiskey has been a longtime favorite of rock gods, bikers and other purveyors of rampant badassery. Add Coke to the mix, and it’s a time-tested asskicker that perfectly fits a bar the Man in Black himself would have approved of.

JOHNNY’S SALOON 17428 BEACH BLVD | HUNTINGTON BEACH 92647 | 714.848.0676

Tags: drinks, jack and coke, johnny's saloon, Long Beach