International / basics / Drinks
Cola III
Cola is a type of soda that flavored with citrus and spices. The word "cola" derives from kola nuts, a plant originating in West Africa and originally used as a source of caffeine to make this soda. Most modern recipes do not contain kola nuts. This recipe is derived from the 1923 recipe that Pepsi submitted during its bankruptcy filings, which currently exists in the public domain. The recipe has been downscaled to quantities suitable for a home kitchen. Note that consuming high levels of caffeine can be very dangerous. If you are scaling the recipe up or down, make sure you scale the caffeine accordingly so that the per-serving caffeine amount stays the same or is lower. Absolutely do not use more than triple the listed proportion of caffeine.
Ingredients
- unflavored spirit, 150+ proof; food-grade; 3.75 ml; or 1/2 tsp (2.5 ml) water mixed with 1/4 tsp (1.25 ml) food-grade gum arabic3/4 tsp
- petitgrain oil, lemon leaf and twig oil1 drop
- coriander oil2 drop
- nutmeg oil2 drop
- cinnamon oil4 drop
- orange oil5 drop
- lemon oil6 drop
- phosphoric acid, 0.75 ml as stated in source1/4 tsp
- caramel color, 3.75 ml3/4 tsp
- lime juice, 3.75 ml; strained3/4 tsp
- water, 300 ml10 fl oz
- sugar, white; 300 ml by volume10 fl oz
- caffeine, optional25 mg
- soda water, as needed
Quantities are auto-calculated from the original recipe as a guide. Items without numbers (e.g. “to taste”) are not changed.
Method 4 steps
Combine the spirits and oils together in a small cup, mixing well. Set aside.
Combine the phosphoric acid, caramel color, lime juice, water, and sugar in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then boil until it becomes a thick syrup.
Remove the syrup from the heat, and stir in the caffeine and oil mixture. Let cool.
To make the finished soda, combine 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of carbonated water.
Region evidence: no stated origin (basic dish)
