Cola V
Cola is a type of soda that consists of flavors derived from citrus fruits and spices. The word "cola" derives from kola nuts, a plant originating in West Africa. Older cola recipes often contained this nut as a source of caffeine, but most modern recipes do not contain kola nuts. This recipe has been modified from one created by Soko's Kitchen.
- Time
- 60 minutes
- Servings
- 6
Ingredients
- 20 mg caffeine (optional)
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) cocktail bitters
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) powdered cinnamon
- ½ tsp (2.5 ml) powdered nutmeg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ in. wide strip of lemon peel cut around the fruit's circumference
- ½ in. wide strip of lemon peel cut around the fruit's circumference
- ½ in. wide strip of orange peel cut around the fruit's circumference
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup (120 ml) water
- 1 cup (240 ml) coconut sugar
- Carbonated water, as needed
Method
- Boil all of the ingredients except for the vanilla extract and bitters in a pot until it becomes sticky.
- Strain out the solids.
- Add the vanilla extract and bitters.
- To make the finished soda, combine 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of carbonated water.
Notes
- Use water from a carbonating machine or a brand of pure carbonated water such as Polar Original Sparkling Water, Great Value Seltzer Water, or Signature Select Seltzer Water. Do not use a brand of mineral water such as Perrier, San Pellegrino, or Mineragua because the added minerals will ruin the taste. Avoid flavored sparkling water such as La Croix or Spindrift because the preexisting fruit flavors will ruin the drink.
- You can make cherry cola by adding five frozen cherries during step 1 or 1 tsp (5 ml) of cherry extract during step 3.
- You can make vanilla cola by adding 1 tsp (5 ml) of vanilla extract during step 3.