Coca Cola Recipe
Make Coca Cola Recipe in just 40m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Soda (per serving)
Homemade cola concentrate (makes ~1.5 cups, optional — for one batch of soda you will dilute)
Carbonation and to serve
Method
Ready-to-serve (store-bought Coca‑Cola)
- 1
Serve
Fill a highball or glass with ice cubes. Pour 12 fl oz chilled Coca‑Cola over the ice. Garnish with a lime wedge and mint sprig if desired. Serve immediately.
Homemade cola concentrate (optional)
- 2
Make sugar syrup
Combine 1 cup water, 1 cup white sugar and 1/4 cup brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugars dissolve and the mixture reaches a gentle simmer.
- 3
Add flavorings
Add the citrus zests (lime, lemon, orange), sliced ginger, star anise, ground cinnamon, nutmeg and coriander to the saucepan. If using homemade caramel color, add it now (about 2 tbs) or add purchased caramel coloring at the end to reach desired color.
- 4
Simmer and reduce
Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 20 minutes to extract flavors. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- 5
Finish concentrate
Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla. Let the mixture cool slightly, then strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar, pressing on solids to extract liquid. Discard solids. Taste the concentrate and, if too tart, stir in an extra tablespoon of sugar while still warm to balance.
- 6
Store concentrate
Let concentrate cool to room temperature, then refrigerate in a sealed jar. It will keep 1–2 weeks refrigerated.
Carbonate and assemble (if using homemade concentrate)
- 7
Mix drink
Fill a glass with ice. Pour 12 fl oz (about 360 ml) very cold carbonated water into the glass. Add 2 tablespoons of the homemade cola concentrate (adjust 1–3 tbs to taste) and stir gently once to combine, taking care not to flatten the carbonation.
- 8
Garnish and serve
Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig if desired. Serve immediately.
