Chilled D & G Kola Champagne Recipe
Sweet, bubbly, and uniquely flavorful, our Kola Champagne delivers a refreshing burst of fruity cola taste with a smooth, fizzy finish.
Was this page helpful?
Help improve this recipe for others.
Send this recipe to your inbox.
We'll email it straight to you - plus weekly cooking inspiration.
Ingredients
Some product links may be affiliates. If you buy through them, you're supporting the site and Pekin may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Syrup Base
Flavoring & Aroma
Acid & Sweet Balance
Assembly
Method
Syrup Base
- 1
Make simple cola syrup
Combine 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, and 1/4 cup packed brown sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugars completely dissolve and mixture comes to a gentle simmer.
- 2
Reduce heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes to slightly thicken. Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat.
Flavoring & Aroma
- 3
Add 1 tablespoon sliced fresh ginger, 4 allspice berries, 1 star anise, 1 tablespoon orange peel, and the split 1/2 vanilla bean (or extra 1/2 tsp vanilla) to the hot syrup. Stir to combine.
- 4
Cover pan and let the mixture steep for 30 minutes off the heat so the flavors infuse. Taste after 30 minutes and if you want a stronger spice note, steep up to 45 minutes.
- 5
After steeping, strain the syrup through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean container, pressing solids to extract flavor. Discard solids.
- 6
Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice into the strained syrup.
Acid & Sweet Balance
- 7
While syrup is still warm, whisk in 1/2 teaspoon citric acid and 1/4 teaspoon malic acid (if using) to add brightness and a slight tartness reminiscent of kola. Taste and adjust: add up to another 1/4 tsp citric acid if you prefer more tang, or 1–2 tsp simple syrup (equal parts sugar and water) if it needs more sweetness.
Assembly
- 8
Chill and carbonate
Refrigerate the syrup until fully chilled, at least 1 hour (or cool in an ice bath for 20–30 minutes). Fill a large pitcher or carafe with ice cubes and add 4 lime slices and the chilled syrup.
- 9
To serve one liter of cola: add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of the chilled cola syrup to a pitcher, then slowly pour in 1 liter of chilled club soda, stirring gently to combine. Adjust syrup amount to taste (start with 1/2 cup for a lighter, 3/4 cup for a sweeter soda).
- 10
Pour into tall glasses over ice, garnish with lime slices and maraschino cherries if desired. Serve immediately to preserve carbonation.
- 11
Store any remaining syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Use about 1/2–3/4 cup syrup per liter of carbonated water when serving.