Diet Pepsi Recipe

Chill and Prepare

Chill the carbonated water (club soda or seltzer) thoroughly in the refrigerator so it's very cold before mixing. Cold liquid holds carbonation better.

Measure 12 fl oz (about 355 ml) of very cold carbonated water and pour it into a chilled highball glass or a tall serving glass over ice if desired (see Garnish & Serving).

If you have a commercial diet cola syrup or diet cola concentrate, measure 2 fl oz and keep it ready for mixing. If using syrup, skip the separate flavoring/sweetener steps and add the syrup directly to the carbonated water (see Mixing).

If you're making a homemade diet-style cola (no commercial syrup), combine the cola extract (0.25 tsp), fresh lemon juice (0.5 tsp), fresh lime juice (0.25 tsp) and vanilla extract (0.125 tsp) in a small cup. Add the liquid sweetener (about 1/4 tsp liquid sucralose) and stir until evenly combined. Taste carefully and adjust sweetener a few drops at a time to reach desired sweetness — nonnutritive sweeteners are concentrated.

Do not add powdered caffeine unless you are experienced and can accurately weigh tiny amounts; it is optional and not recommended for casual use.

If using commercial diet cola syrup: Slowly pour the 2 fl oz of syrup into the glass with 12 fl oz chilled carbonated water. Pour the syrup gently down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation. Give the drink one gentle stir with a long bar spoon — 1–2 slow strokes — to combine without losing fizz.

If using homemade flavor mix: Add the prepared flavor & sweetener mixture to the chilled carbonated water slowly down the side of the glass and stir gently 1–2 slow strokes to combine.

If desired, add an extra drop (a very small amount) of vanilla extract or a light spray of cola aroma at the surface for a more authentic finish. Stir gently once.

Add ice cubes to the glass if you did not previously add them. Garnish with a lemon or lime wedge on the rim. Serve immediately while cold and fizzy.