Coca Cola Recipe
Make Coca Cola Recipe in just 25m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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For One Serving (Classic Coca‑Cola Style)
Alternative: Homemade Cola (single serving)
Cola Syrup (makes ~12 oz syrup, enough for 6 servings at 2 oz each)
Method
For One Serving (Classic Coca‑Cola Style)
- 1
Fill a tall glass with ice (about 1 cup).
- 2
Pour 12 oz chilled Coca‑Cola over the ice.
- 3
Garnish with a lime wedge if desired; squeeze lightly and drop into the drink.
- 4
Serve immediately with a straw or stirrer.
Alternative: Using Homemade Cola Syrup (Assembly)
- 5
Fill a glass with about 1 cup of ice.
- 6
Measure 2 oz (about 1/4 cup) of chilled cola syrup and pour over the ice.
- 7
Slowly add 10 oz chilled carbonated water to the glass to preserve fizz. Stir gently once to combine.
- 8
Taste and adjust: add more syrup (up to 3 oz) for a sweeter/stronger flavor or more carbonated water for a lighter drink.
- 9
Garnish with a lime wedge, squeeze if desired, and serve immediately.
Cola Syrup (Make Ahead)
- 10
1) Combine sugars and water
In a small saucepan, combine 1 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar and 1 tbsp brown sugar. Stir to wet the sugar and place over medium heat.
- 11
2) Add flavorings
Add 1 tsp fresh ginger slices, 1 tsp fresh lemon zest, 1 tsp fresh orange zest, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, 0.5 tsp ground cola spice blend (cardamom, nutmeg, coriander), and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the saucepan. If using, add 1 tsp caramel color for color and 1 tsp white vinegar as a phosphoric acid substitute.
- 12
3) Simmer to infuse
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring until the sugar fully dissolves. Reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 8–10 minutes to allow the spices and citrus to infuse and the liquid to reduce slightly. Do not boil vigorously.
- 13
4) Steep and strain
Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the syrup steep for 15–20 minutes to deepen flavor. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a heatproof container, pressing on solids to extract flavor. Discard solids.
- 14
5) Finish and cool
Once strained, taste and adjust sweetness or acidity: add a touch more vinegar for tang, or a little more sugar dissolved in warm water for sweetness. Cool the syrup to room temperature, then chill in the refrigerator. Transfer to a sealed bottle; refrigerated syrup keeps 2–3 weeks.