HOMEMADE COLA

It’s insanely easy to make you own cola at home without any nasties that store bought are known for having. It’s not exactly the same, but it holds an eerie similarity and hoenstly might be even better. It comes together really quickly and holds up for ages ready to top with soda water when your body screams for one.

I whipped up the homemade cola by diving headfirst into a zesty mix of spices and fresh citrus. Kicked things off by simmering a blend of cinnamon sticks, nutmeg and coriander seeds to release that warm, spicy aroma reminiscent of a classic cola backbone. Then, I threw in a generous pile of citrus zest to punch up the citrusy brightness, which is the secret zing that keeps the drink lively and refreshing.

Next, I added orange bitters and a hint of vanilla essence to mimic those smooth undertones you get in a good cola. To balance out the flavours, a bit of brown sugar went into the simmering pot, lending that deep caramel colour and subtle sweetness that’s crucial for the authentic cola vibe.

After letting the concoction steep and cool, I strained out all the bits, then mixed the syrup with sparkling water. The result? A bubbly, spiced citrus cola that’s refreshingly close to the well-known coca cola but with my own homemade twist. Perfect for when you want to impress mates with a classic taste made from scratch, no dodgy additives or preservatives in sight.

HOMEMADE COLA

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HOMEMADE COLA 〰️

Time: 30 minutes

3 cinnamon sticks

1 tea spoon coriander seeds

1/8 nutmeg, freshly grated

1 orange

1 lemon

1 lime

1 tea spoon orange bitters

1 table spoon vanilla essence

2 packed cups brown sugar

Soda water

In a medium pot add in cinnamon, coriander seeds and nutmeg and place on medium heat for 1-2 minutes to toast spices until fragrant. Pour in 1 cup cold water along the peels of the orange, lemon and lime and bring to a gentle bubble and simmer for 5 minutes. Then add in orange bitters and vanilla essence and again let it gently bubble for 5 more minutes. Then add in the brown sugar and let it gently bubble for five more minutes. Finally add in the juice of half the orange, half the lemon and half the lime and let it cook through for a minute on the heat before taking off heat. 

Let the syrup cool to room temperature before straining and placing in a sterilised jar in the fridge. To serve pour in 45ml in a glass, top with ice and then soda water and mix through. Adjust syrup to taste, if you like it stronger add more and vice versa for weaker. Syrup should hold for up to a year, but just check when you use it.