Bottled Coca-cola Beverage Recipe

Make Simple Syrup

Combine 2 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until sugar fully dissolves. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes, then remove from heat.

Add Caramel Color

Stir in 2 tablespoons of caramel color (or prepared caramelized sugar). If making caramelized sugar: in a small heavy skillet melt 1/4 cup sugar over medium heat until deep amber, then carefully whisk in 2–3 tablespoons hot water (stand back) to make a dark syrup and allow to cool slightly before adding to the syrup. Mix thoroughly.

Optional Caffeine

If using powdered caffeine, sprinkle 1/4 teaspoon into the warm syrup and whisk until fully dissolved. Use caution—caffeine powder is potent.

Prepare Acid

Stir 1 teaspoon of phosphoric acid solution (or 1 teaspoon citric acid solution) into the warm syrup. Taste carefully — this provides the characteristic bite; adjust in 1/4 teaspoon increments if desired.

Blend Oils and Extracts

In a small glass or bowl, combine the vanilla extract, lime/lemongrass oil, orange oil, cassia (cinnamon) oil, nutmeg oil, coriander oil and neroli/bitter orange oil. Because essential oils do not mix easily with water, gently emulsify the oils by whisking them with 1 teaspoon of the warm syrup until a uniform mixture forms.

Combine Flavors

Whisk the emulsified flavor blend into the main syrup until evenly incorporated. Cool the syrup to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled (about 1 hour). This concentrated syrup is the beverage base.

Dilute Syrup

For a typical strength, mix 1 part chilled syrup to 5 parts cold carbonated water. Example: use 1 cup syrup with 5 cups cold carbonated water. Stir gently to combine; avoid vigorous stirring to preserve carbonation if using already-carbonated water.

Carbonate (if needed)

If you have uncarbonated cold water and a soda siphon or home carbonation device, chill the water, then carbonate according to device instructions to achieve approximately 3–4 volumes CO2 (typical soft drink).

Bottle

Fill clean glass bottles, leaving 1–2 inches headspace. Cap securely. If you mixed with pre-carbonated water, serve immediately over ice. If you bottled uncarbonated liquid and used priming to naturally carbonate, add appropriate priming sugar (about 1/2 tsp sugar per 12 oz bottle) and store upright at room temperature for 24–48 hours until carbonated, then refrigerate to stop conditioning.

Serve

Chill bottles thoroughly. Serve cold over ice if desired. Store unopened bottles refrigerated and consume within 1–2 weeks for best flavor.