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.
Recipe by A Tipsy Giraffe at https://www.atipsygiraffe.com/homemade-cola/