Coca Cola Recipe

Make simple syrup

Combine 2 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is fully dissolved and the mixture is just at a simmer. Do not boil vigorously. Remove from heat.

While the syrup is still warm, stir in 2 tablespoons caramel color (or 2 tbsp prepared caramel syrup) until evenly distributed. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice, and 1/4 teaspoon caffeine powder (if using). Stir to combine. Set the syrup base aside to cool to room temperature.

Prepare flavor infusions (if using whole spices/zests)

If you’re using whole spices or zests (orange/lemon zest, cassia/cinnamon stick, grated nutmeg, coriander seeds), place them in a small heatproof bowl and pour 2–3 tablespoons of the warm simple syrup over them. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes to 1 hour, then strain. If using concentrated essential/food-grade oils (orange oil, lemon oil, nutmeg oil, coriander oil), skip the steeping step and add measured oils directly to the cooled syrup.

To the cooled syrup (or to the strained infusion), add 1/2 teaspoon citric acid and 1/4 teaspoon phosphoric acid (or 1/4 tsp white vinegar as a mild substitute). Add 1/2 teaspoon orange oil (or the orange infusion), 1/4 teaspoon lemon oil, 1/16 teaspoon nutmeg oil, 1/16 teaspoon coriander oil, 1/2 teaspoon additional vanilla (or scraped seeds from 1/2 vanilla bean), 1/2 teaspoon cassia/cinnamon (ground or from extract), and 1/4 teaspoon kola nut extract if using. Stir thoroughly to blend all flavor elements into a uniform concentrate.

Taste the concentrate carefully (this will be strong). Adjust acidity (add a touch more citric or phosphoric acid), sweetness (very small additional sugar syrup), or spice notes (tiny pinches/ drops of oils) to balance the flavor. Remember the concentrate should be markedly stronger than the finished drink.

Mix soda

Keep 1 liter of cold carbonated water chilled. For each 12 fl oz (approx. 355 ml) serving, use about 2.25 tablespoons (34 ml) of the cola syrup concentrate. In a glass or measured container, add the syrup to the bottom, then slowly pour 355 ml chilled carbonated water over the back of a spoon into the glass to preserve carbonation and encourage mixing. Stir gently once or twice — do not vigorously stir, or you will lose carbonation.

Add ice to the glass as desired and garnish with a lime wedge if you like. Serve immediately.

Store leftover syrup in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Use approximately 34 ml syrup per 355 ml carbonated water; scale proportions to taste and batch size.