A really easy to make homemade cola soda that is bursting with flavour from spices, citrus and lavendar. This is what cola should taste like when it’s made with real ingredients and not 110% sugar*! *probably an exaggeration
My mum’s first reaction when she saw this Homemade Cola was “why isn’t it black?!” And that may well be similar to the reaction you are having, it certainly doesn’t look like the cola we know. And, I’ll be straight up with you, it doesn’t exactly taste like it either. But there’s a good reason for that, and that is it’s made with a reasonable amount of sugar and all natural flavours and no colouring. I won’t claim to know exactly what Coca Cola put in their drinks, even after having been to the World of Coke twice (totally worth doing if you’re in Atlanta just btw) but I know there is A LOT of sugar, and colourings to make it as dark as it is.
When you first sip this cola drink you’re going to be taken back by how fresh it tastes and you’ll be amazed by all the different flavours dancing around on your tongue. A lot of different spices and flavours go into making cola, and you can taste each one separately but they all seem to marry together perfectly all at the same time. If you compare this to branded cola, in the first instance it will taste like a completely different drink but after a few sips you’ll begin to realise that these are the flavours you can taste in store bought coke but they’re overpowered by the extreme sweetness. I won’t sit here and pretend to be above Coca Cola (although I am above Pepsi, I’ve spent too much time in Atlanta to have anything nice to say about Pepsi!) I have a slight addiction to Cherry Coke and control the amount I drink when I keep it in the house, which is why I don’t let myself buy it, it’s just so bad for you! You don’t have to spend much time on my blog to realise I am far from a health nut, but when I’m not eating and testing sweets, I do try and limit the sugar I have in my diet (it’s kind of necessary with all the dessert recipes I make!). Homemade cola is definitely the best answer to cutting down the sugar in your diet but not completely giving up treating yourself.
This Homemade Cola does have sugar in, but it’s a fraction of what you’d find in store bought. One batch of of this syrup contains about 200g sugar (about 1 cup), and one batch of syrup will make approximately 10 drinks. Which means each drink contains about 4 tsp of sugar – certainly not a health food and something you still want to limit your intake of, but you can feel a little better about serving this to your family once in a while than a big can of high fructose corn syrup! This Homemade Cola is more than just that though, the flavours are phenomal and, what’s more, you can actually taste them! It’s a delicious combination of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, star anise, citrus, lavendar and vanilla – all of these flavours mingle together to make one big, amazing flavour that tastes so fresh you certainly most miss the sugar!
Homemade Cola
Prep
Cook
Total
Yield 10
Homemade Cola - A really easy to make homemade cola soda that is bursting with flavour from spices, citrus and lavendar. This is what cola should taste like when it's made with real ingredients and not 110% sugar!
Ingredients
- 200g sugar
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (see note 1)
- 240ml water
- Zest of 2 medium oranges
- Zest of 2 large limes
- Zest of 1 large lemon
- 1 star anise
- 1 heaped tsp dried lavendar flowers
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp minced fresh ginger
Instructions
- Put all of your ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil on a medium heat.
- Stir until sugar has dissolved, then reduce to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Place cheese cloth over a fine mesh sieve, and place over a heatproof bowl. Strain the syrup mixture through the cheese cloth and sieve, fold over the cheese cloth and use the back of a spoon to squeeze out as much flavour as you can.
- Pour the strained syrup into a sterlised jar (this will make it last longer) and seal while it's hot. Leave to cool, then place in the fridge. Will keep for up a month in the fridge, longer if sterlised.
- To serve: Put ice in a glass, and pour 1-2 tbsp of syrup over. Top up with soda water. Serve with slices of lemon. lime or orange for an extra summery feel!
Notes
Brown sugar is optional if you'd like to reduce the sugar amount, however it does add a slight caramel flavour and colour to the syrup.
This Homemade Cola is so easy to make it just makes sense to replace your normal soda with it. My recipe makes a small batch, however you can double it as much as you like. The syrup will keep well in the fridge, particularly if you sterilise the container first. Homemade Cola would be perfect to serve at BBQs and parties this summer, and how awesome would it be to serve at a kid’s birthday party – it’s a nice treat for them without loading them up on caffeine and high fructose corn syrup! Serve it in cute, single-serve bottles like mine – I got these from Wilkos (a British store), they’re Kilner and were about £1.50 each I think. And, for the adults, use this Homemade Cola for the base of your favourite cocktails and mixed drinks to really up your cocktail game – I can’t wait to try this in a Long Island Iced Tea myself!
Have you ever tried Homemade Cola before? If not, you need to – NOW! It really will blow your mind how delicious cola can actually be! I love making homemade soda syrups in general, and I can’t wait to experiment with this base to make my very own Cherry Cola – then I really will be in trouble, delicious trouble though! But if you’re trying to reduce the amount of sugar in your family’s diet but don’t want to have to give up all the nice things entirely, Homemade Cola (and other homemade soda) is definitely something you should try – I’m willing to bet the kids will love it even more than than the store bought stuff! Give it a try and let me know what you think!
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I love making syrups that can be mixed with sparkling water to make soda.pop. What a wonderful combination of flavors and your labels are adorable.
Me too, it’s sooo much better than buying stuff from the store! Thank you so much!
I know home-made soda is the only kind I ever drink, and I make it regularly. But I would love to have some beautiful labels like yours. Your photos are making me envious. Lovely recipe too!
Thank you Hilda! I definitely need to start making more homemade soda, I make ginger ale too which I just love.
I do not like cola, never have yet when I read the ingredients in your pretty cola recipe, I am totally wondering why I have never drank it! Love everything in it. LOL. Very interesting post. Too bad coke doesn’t skip the coloring too.
Hahah homemade cola is soooooo different to the store bought stuff. I may love cherry coke, but I can’t drink the regular stuff. I’m enjoying a glass of this one right now though, so much better and so many flavours, you should definitely give it a go.
Thank you Johanne! Always love it when you stop by xxx
oooooh, do a cherry cola!
It’s next on my list!
That’s such an original idea!
Thank you 🙂
Summer is here and I can surely enjoy this refreshing cola!
It’s definitely perfect for summer! Thanks Priya x
I am soooo intrigued! I am definitely making this! I never would have figured out the lavender… sugar is definitely not great, but what is worse is all the colours, flavourings with names with every letter of the alphabet… at least you know EXACTLY what you are drinking. Love it!
The lavender is subtle but it really lifts the flavour!
Yep, when you make it yourself you know exactly what’s going in and you keep all the nasties out! I’m obviously no beacon of health, but any way I can limit that stuff in my diet I’m all for it!
Let me know what you think when you give it a try! P.s. I totally recommend serving with some lemon, lime or orange slices – really makes it feel like summer then!
the min I showed my kids this Home made Cola..there jaws dropped.. I’ve never made any home made soda and i love that this used so many yummy spices.. Your photos are beautiful and i love your “pop” bottles.. puts the other stuff in the shade
They’ll definitely love this, and so will you! making soda yourself is soooo easy and I swear you won’t be able to stop once you start – I’m actually going to be making up a batch of my homemade ginger ale in the next couple of days!
Thanks so much Karyn!
I am so loving this healthier take on cola or pop! Lovely labels and I’d take this over artificially colored coke any day!
BTW – I’ve been to the World of Coca-Cola too – and have you seen that psychedelic neon green drink they have? Wonder what goes into that eh?! 🙂
Thank you Shashi – I would definitely choose this over store bought coke too!
Haha yeah was a bit apprehensive about that one! Although did you try “Beverley” from South America I think? It’s the worst one but the staff all tell you it’s the best and have to try it – pretty sure it’s a WoCC inside joke to make us all try this nasty drink haha!
Wow, I’ve never thought of making my own cola before. I love all the fresh and zesty flavours. Really cool recipe and cute branded labels too:)
Thank you Lily!
I’m really curious about this one. It sounds very interesting, though it looks completely different from what you’d expect a cola to look like.
I am definitely keeping the recipe, must try it out. Thanks for sharing, Michelle!