International / basics / Drinks
Cola II
Cola is a type of soda that flavored with citrus and spices. The word "cola" derives from kola nuts, a plant originating in West Africa and originally used as a source of caffeine to make this soda. Most modern recipes do not contain kola nuts. This recipe is derived from John Pemberton's original 1886 formula for Coca-Cola, which currently exists in the public domain. The recipe has been downscaled to quantities suitable for a home kitchen; the outlawed coca leaf extract has been replaced with similarly flavored green tea extract. If you live in a country where coca leaf extract is still legal, you may substitute the green tea extract for coca leaf extract for a more authentic taste. Note that consuming high levels of caffeine can be very dangerous. If you are scaling the recipe up or down, make sure you scale the caffeine accordingly so that the per-serving caffeine amount stays the same or is lower. Absolutely do not use more than triple the listed proportion of caffeine.
Ingredients
- unflavored spirit, 150+ proof; 60 ml; or 10 tsp (50 ml) water mixed with 2 tsp (10 ml) gum arabic2 oz
- coriander oil1 drop
- cinnamon oil3 drop
- neroli oil3 drop
- nutmeg oil3 drop
- orange oil5 drop
- lemon oil8 drop
- water, 160 ml; heated to 122°F (50°C)2/3 cup
- caffeine, optional25 mg
- caramel color3 drop
- tea extract, or 2 parts water mixed with 1 part matcha4 drop
- vanilla extract2 drop
- lime juice, 7.5 ml; strained1 1/2 tsp
- citric acid, 1.25 ml1/4 tsp
- sugar, white; 300 ml by volume10 fl oz
- soda water, as needed
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 3 steps
Combine the spirit or gum arabic water and oils together in a small cup, mixing well. Set aside.
Combine the hot water, caffeine, caramel coloring, green tea extract, vanilla extract, lime juice, citric acid, sugar, and ¼ tsp (1.25 ml) of the oil mixture in a heat-safe container. Stir well to dissolve and make a syrup.
To make the finished soda, combine 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of carbonated water.
Region evidence: no stated origin (basic dish)
