Homemade Cola Recipes

COLA SYRUP

Steps:

• In a heavy pot over medium heat, bring 2 cups water to a simmer with the zests, cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, lavender, ginger, vanilla and citric acid. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer gently for 20 minutes.
• In a food processor, whirl the sugars together for one minute (this will help them dissolve), then transfer to a large bowl. If using caramel color, sprinkle it over the sugar.
• Line a sieve or colander with a double thickness of cheesecloth and place over the bowl. Pour the contents of the pot through the sieve. Carefully gather up the corners of the cheesecloth and twist the top to close. Use a spoon to press the bundle against the sieve, squeezing out all the flavorful liquid.
• Stir the syrup and let cool, stirring occasionally until the sugar dissolves, about 15 minutes. Transfer to containers and keep refrigerated. To make a soda, pour 1/4 cup syrup over ice and add 1 cup seltzer. Stir.

COLA SYRUP

Steps:

• In a heavy based medium size pot place all ingredients EXCEPT the sugar with 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil, and then gently simmer with lid on for 20 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Line a fine sieve with a square of cheesecloth and place sieve on top of another medium sized pot. Pour your liquid through the sieve, gather the sides of the cheesecloth and squeeze out all the liquid (be careful not to burn yourself). Remove sieve and cheesecloth aromatics from the top of the pot.
• Place sugars into the pot with the liquid. Place on a very low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Do not bring it to the boil or simmer. As soon as the sugar has dissolved remove from the heat.
• Place cola syrup in a clean bottle and store in the fridge. Will make around three cups.

HOMEMADE COLA

Steps:

• Stir the water, lemon zest, lime zest, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, whole coriander seed, nutmeg, and green bean coffee powder (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat.
• Stir in the sugar and bring to a boil.
• Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves. (The spices will not dissolve)
• Remove syrup from the heat.
• Add the lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, browning sauce, and pure vanilla extract to the saucepan mixture and stir.
• Let mixture cool, then use a fine mesh strainer and strain syrup into a mason jar or other sealable bottle for storage.
• To make one cola drink: Combine 1/2 cup of the cola syrup with 1 1/2 to 2 cups of seltzer water (pour slow as the mix will fizz, just as regular soda).
• Add ice, if desired, and serve.

HOMEMADE COLA RECIPE

Steps:

• Make the caramel syrup: In a small saucepan, bring the sugar, water, allspice and cinnamon to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture reaches 380°, 12 to 14 minutes. At this point it will turn deep brown quickly, so keep an eye on it, swirling the pan often, until the mixture is deep brown, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Turn off the heat and immediately add the boiling water to prevent the syrup from solidifying. Set aside.
• Make the cola: In a small saucepan, bring the kola nuts and water to a simmer over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, use your fingers to rub the lime zest into 2 tablespoons of the sugar to extract the oils from the citrus zest. Add the lime-sugar mixture to the kola nuts along with the cooled caramel syrup, lime juice, citric acid, vanilla and the remaining sugar, stirring until sugar is dissolved.
• Simmer another 10 minutes, take off the heat and cool completely. Line a sieve with a doubled layer of cheesecloth and set over an airtight container, then strain the cooled cola mixture through the cheesecloth. Refrigerate for up to a month. To serve, mix 1/4 cup (2 ounces) of the cola with the soda water.

COLA BOTTLE GUMMIES RECIPE

Steps:

• If you're using candy molds, spray them very lightly with cooking spray and then wipe them with a paper towel to remove excess oil and leave only a thin film of oil on the molds. Otherwise, spray a loaf pan or 8x8-inch baking dish with spray and wipe it down lightly.
• Combine the gelatin and 1/4 cup of cold water in a small bowl, and whisk together well. Set aside for a few minutes to allow the gelatin to absorb the water.
• Combine the remaining 3/4 cup water and the granulated sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir while the sugar dissolves, then continue to stir occasionally until it comes to a low simmer.
• Microwave the gelatin for 20 seconds, until it is mostly fluid. Remove the saucepan of simmering sugar syrup from the heat, and whisk in the liquid gelatin. Add the cola flavoring and citric acid, if using, and whisk well until everything is incorporated.
• Transfer the candy to a measuring cup with a spout. Pour it into the molds, or your prepared pan. Let the gummies sit at room temperature until they're set.
• Carefully peel them out of the molds. If you've formed them in a baking pan, cut them into small squares to serve.
• Store them in an airtight container preferably in a single layer so they don't stick together.