No. 01 · Syrups
Classic Cola Syrup
Cola is a guarded secret, but its flavour is mostly citrus oils, a little spice, vanilla and a dark caramel note. This version leans dry and grown-up — add sugar at the end if you like it sweeter.
Active25 min
LevelEasy
Makes~350 ml
Keeps3 weeks
Method
- Warm the sugar and water in a saucepan, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely.
- Add the zests, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg. Simmer gently for 12–15 minutes — don’t let it boil hard or the citrus turns bitter.
- Caramelise two tablespoons of sugar in a dry pan until deep amber and stir it in. That’s where the cola colour and roundness come from.
- Off the heat, add the vanilla and citric acid. Leave to infuse for 15 minutes.
- Strain through a fine sieve into a clean bottle and chill.
- Serve one part syrup to four parts cold soda water over ice. Adjust to taste.
Lab note · On the biteCitric acid is the “bite” in cola. Start with half a teaspoon, taste, then add a pinch at a time — it’s easy to overshoot.