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    Home » Recipes » Blog

    Cola Soda Syrup Recipe

    November 9, 2014 By Sara McCleary Updated November 29, 2020 - This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe

    Making soda syrup at home is very easy and this cola syrup recipe gives you a natural cola flavour.  Perfect to stir into soda water or replace store bought coca cola syrup for Sodastream and other soda makers.

    Why buy when you can make your own soft drink syrup at home?  This is a  preservative-free, colour free and additive-free recipe.

    glass with a slice of lemon containing cola soda with a bottle of cola syrup next to it

    One of the fun things about purchasing a sparkling water maker or soda making machine is experimenting with your own homemade soda syrups. 

    This recipe was originally made for a Sodastream machine, though I now own an Aarke. Between you and me, I like the look of their bottles better.

    But you don't need a machine to enjoy making soda syrups at home.  You can use them with sparkling mineral water or soda water too.

    If you have invested in a soda making a machine, then you should have fun and make your own soda syrups.  Experiment with flavours.  I know that being able to make more adult tasting syrups really appeals to me.

    Of course you need to start somewhere, and where better to start than a classic cola syrup recipe.

    glass containing cola soda with a slice of lemon on the rim and a straw

    This cola syrup recipe is based on one I saw in The New York Times back in 2011. They had adapted the recipe from Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain located on Henry Street in Brooklyn. I haven’t actually visited their establishment but they have a solid reputation and a cookbook out on the market as well.

    When you first taste this syrup don't think of this as a Coca Cola syrup or a Pepsi syrup.  It isn't going to taste like either of those two.  This has a far superior cola flavour with its own little uniqueness.

    glass with a slice of lemon containing cola soda with a bottle of cola syrup next to it

    You may be quite surprised by the ingredients used in making cola syrup.  I know I was.  Do you pick up the flavours of citrus, fennel or ginger?

    Special ingredients for this recipe

    various spices used to make cola syrup
    whole nutmeg sitting on a pile of ground nutmeg on a board

    Most of the ingredients used are common, but you may not have come across tonka bean or cassia before.  Tonka beans are a wrinkly dried black bean with flavours of vanilla, clove and almond.  Cassia is similar to cinnamon but stronger and spicier.  Cinnamon can be substituted.

    Special equipment for this recipe

    simmered aromatics being strained out of cola liquid

    You will need a piece of cheese cloth (muslin) to strain your cola syrup after simmering your aromatics.

    The beauty of making your own soda and syrups is you can make them as sweet or as strong as you like. A tablespoon of flavouring mixed into a glass of soda water may be perfect for one person, another may like it sweeter with two or more tablespoons. I suggest you start with less and add more if needed.

    Sara xxx

    Other beverage recipes you'll love

    How to Make Limoncello - the Italian way!
    Fallout 4 Dirty Wastelander - the gamers cocktail
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    cola syrup pinterest pin
    glass with a slice of lemon containing cola soda with a bottle of cola syrup next to it

    Cola Syrup

    Recipe Author: Sara McCleary
    Making soda syrup at home is very easy and this cola syrup recipe gives you a natural cola flavour.  Perfect to stir into soda water or replace store bought coca cola syrup for Sodastream and other soda makers.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20
    Calories 74 kcal

    Special Equipment

    • Heavy based medium pot
    • Muslin cloth

    Ingredients

    • 2 oranges zest only finely grated
    • 1 lemon zest only finely grated
    • 1 large lime zest only finely grated
    • ½ teaspoon ground cassia substitute cinnamon if not available
    • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg freshly ground is best
    • 1 star annis
    • ½ teaspoon ground tonka bean freshly ground is best
    • ¼ teaspoon dried fennel seeds bruised
    • 2 teaspoons ginger freshly grated
    • Vanilla bean pod 5cm length split
    • ¼ teaspoon citric acid
    • 1 ½ cups sugar
    • 3 tablespoons light muscovado sugar

    Instructions
     

    • In a heavy based medium size pot place all ingredients EXCEPT the sugar with 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil, and then gently simmer with lid on for 20 minutes.
    • Remove the pot from the heat. Line a fine sieve with a square of cheesecloth and place sieve on top of another medium sized pot. Pour your liquid through the sieve, gather the sides of the cheesecloth and squeeze out all the liquid (be careful not to burn yourself). Remove sieve and cheesecloth aromatics from the top of the pot.
    • Place sugars into the pot with the liquid. Place on a very low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Do not bring it to the boil or simmer. As soon as the sugar has dissolved remove from the heat.
    • Place cola syrup in a clean bottle and store in the fridge. Will make around three cups.

    Notes

    Most of the ingredients used are common, but you may not have come across tonka bean or cassia before. 
    Tonka beans are a wrinkly dried black bean with flavours of vanilla, clove and almond. 
    Cassia is similar to cinnamon but stronger and spicier.  Cinnamon can be substituted.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 74kcalCarbohydrates: 19gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 37mgFiber: 1gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 29IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 9mgIron: 1mg
    Keyword coca cola syrup, natural cola, pepsi syrup, sodastream syrup recipes
    Did You Make This Recipe?I do a happy dance when people share how they went. Tag me on Instagram or Twitter @bellyrumbles & #bellyrumbles
    « Candelori’s Bombolini Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Beth McKay

      August 19, 2022 at 8:43 am

      I have a question about the nutritional information. Is the information you incled for the entire batch or per serving? If it is per serving what is the preserving measurement? Thanks. Getting ready to try this I have all the ingredients.

      Reply
      • Sara McCleary

        August 27, 2022 at 3:04 pm

        H Beth
        The nutritional information is a guideline only, it is generated by an outside source associated with the recipe card plugin that I use.
        The batch makes around 3 cups, which is approximately 750ml. I have put down 20 servings for the batch. When you divide 750 by 20 that comes to 37.5mls per serve. That is around 2 Australian tablespoons or 8 teaspoons per serve. I hope that this helps you.
        Cheers Sara.

        Reply
    2. Tammy Scott

      May 14, 2016 at 10:17 am

      What is a Tonka bean?? Haha I need to google. Who knew Cola was so many flavours in one.

      My all time favourite flavour is Vanilla. So I'm thinking a vanilla cola because it's sometimes hard to find to buy. Oh wait scratch that. I want candy flavours. Skittles soda. All the rainbow.

      Reply
    3. Shez

      November 23, 2014 at 7:48 am

      With Christmas coming up, I reckon it would be great to have a mulled wine or glogg flavoured soda. All the fun and spice of Christmas, but on ice. And fizzy.

      Reply
    4. SANDY HORSFALL

      November 23, 2014 at 5:34 am

      IT MAY SOUND A LITTLE BIZARRE, BUT I'M KEEN TO TRY AN ICED CUCUMBER FLAVOURED SODA AS I ADORE CUCUMBERS, AND WHAT'S GREAT IS THAT MY KIDS HATE THEM SO I'D BE ABLE TO DRINK MY SODA WITHOUT THEM PLEADING FOR 'JUST ONE SIP'!!

      Reply
    5. Helen Gray

      November 23, 2014 at 3:02 am

      Pink Grapefruit so refreshing and great with Gin for a summers evening drink.

      Reply
    6. Belinda McLeod

      November 22, 2014 at 9:20 pm

      Ultimate flavour raspberry as love it !!

      Reply
    7. Renee Ballantyne

      November 22, 2014 at 9:15 am

      I love superfoods so any superfoods

      Reply
    8. Lady Tiffany

      November 21, 2014 at 10:29 pm

      Rockmelon and Lime with a twist of Bitters...

      Reply
    9. Julie taranto

      November 21, 2014 at 9:53 am

      I think lemon and ginger and mint would be wonderfully refreshing

      Reply
    10. eamond tomaszewski

      November 19, 2014 at 9:37 am

      choc berry would be insane

      Reply
    11. Catrina Murray

      November 19, 2014 at 7:44 am

      Mango!

      Reply
    12. Liz Mathlin

      November 19, 2014 at 2:48 am

      Pineapple and pear for a refreshing summer drink.

      Reply
    13. Sal

      November 18, 2014 at 1:33 pm

      The cola sounds YUM!! We have an old soda stream and use it daily. It saves buying all those extra bottles and is friendlier on the environment. We just don't like the sugar loaded syrups, so mostly just drink carbonated filtered water. Sometimes add juice though. We would love one of the new sexy white soda steam plays 🙂

      My suggestion would be to mix ~

      Fresh Strawberries,
      Fresh Mangoes,
      Fresh Mint.

      Have it muddled or blended or both!!
      ~YUM YUM YUM~

      Reply
      • Bella

        April 13, 2022 at 10:48 pm

        I'm curious about how to store this and if it can be made shelf stable

        Reply
        • Sara McCleary

          April 22, 2022 at 5:18 pm

          Hi Bella
          In theory, due to the high sugar content, you should be able to can it like you do jam to make it shelf-stable. I say this, but I've never tried it as it keeps in the fridge really well and gets used within a reasonable amount of time.
          Cheers Sara

          Reply
    14. shez

      November 18, 2014 at 9:08 am

      How about an apricot and ginger bevvy with the fresh stone fruit that's just come into season?

      Reply
    15. [email protected]

      November 17, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      Wow, that syrup sounds incredible.

      Reply
    16. Angela Booth

      November 17, 2014 at 9:48 pm

      Oh my! Trying the syrups immediately! The rare times I'm in the mood for a fizzy drink I usually go for one of the Italian flavours like chinotto or blood orange. The "grown up" tastes really appeal in this.

      My memory of soda streams is from my aunts house. They switched to the machine after getting Loys home delivered soft drink(anyone remember?). My cousin was quite a character and at age 9 or something he would pretend to get a high from the machine by giving himself a dose of Co2 (mouth right on the aperture - ew!) made us giggle though. 🙂

      Reply
    17. joyjoyc

      November 17, 2014 at 9:26 am

      Please make anything with lychee in it!

      Reply
    18. Lizzy (Good Things)

      November 16, 2014 at 2:30 am

      We are loving ours... and I did a giveaway recently too... I'm with you on the flavours... not my cup of tea either.

      Reply
    19. kzsupreme

      November 13, 2014 at 1:31 am

      Remembering the Sodastream from when I was younger, mum said i wasnt old enough to make one. I dreamt up a recipe and unfortunately never got the chance as my sister broke it!!
      My recipe was all the foods and lollys that were my favourite and to make it bubble and fizz was the icing on the cake.

      Sherbert bombs
      lolly teeth
      snakes
      red frogs
      musk sticks, that were rolled in the mouth to look like a pencil!!
      wizz fizz

      I called it The corner deli weekly pocket money fab grab!! So my fantastical drink....

      Candy Conundrum crush :*

      Reply
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    photo of Sara McCleary, Founder, Belly Rumbles culinary travel blog

    Well hello there! I’m Sara McCleary a food photographer, creative recipe developer, and avid traveller (when the World isn’t in a pandemic).

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