Brenda Khan
There are many reasons why someone might want to make their own diet cola at home. Some people are intrigued by the challenge of replicating the famous Coca-Cola recipe, while others are concerned about the health and environmental impacts of consuming mass-market, chemical-laden, sugary sodas. Luckily, it is possible to make a tasty cola at home, with less sugar and fewer artificial colours and flavours.
How to make diet cola at home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Water, lemon zest, lime zest, orange zest, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, coriander seed, nutmeg, gum arabic, sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, browning sauce, vanilla, green bean coffee powder, saline solution, carbonated water |
| Equipment | Saucepan, sealable bottle, sous vide, SodaStream, squeeze bottle |
| Steps | Combine water, zests, cinnamon, orange peel, coriander seed, nutmeg, and gum arabic in a saucepan. Whisk until the gum arabic dissolves. Stir in sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until dissolved. Boil for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the juices, browning sauce, and vanilla. Let cool, then strain. Store in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Add to seltzer as needed. Bottle the cola, adding 2 drops of saline solution and highly-carbonated water. Seal the bottle. |
| Tips | Use caramel coloring to achieve the iconic cola color. Reduce the amount of sugar and replace with a sweetener like stevia or aspartame. |
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What You'll Learn
Make a cola syrup
Making cola syrup at home is a great way to cut down on the sugar, chemicals, artificial colours, and flavours found in store-bought sodas. The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week and can be added to seltzer to make a refreshing drink.
To make the cola syrup, combine water, lemon zest, lime zest, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, whole coriander seed, nutmeg, and green bean coffee powder (if using) in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and bring to a boil. Continue stirring until the sugar dissolves. (The spices will not dissolve).
Remove the syrup from the heat and add the lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, browning sauce, and pure vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Allow the mixture to cool, then strain the syrup using a fine mesh strainer. Store the syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
For a sugar-free option, you can reduce the amount of sugar and replace it with stevia, starting with one cup of sugar and adding stevia to taste. Alternatively, you can use Splenda, although this may result in a sweeter syrup.
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Add a sweetener
To make a diet version of cola at home, you will need to add a sweetener as a substitute for sugar. Aspartame and stevia are popular sugar substitutes. You can also try using Splenda, although some people find it too sweet.
If you are making your own cola syrup, you can add your chosen sweetener to taste. You will need to include some sugar to thicken the syrup. Start with one cup of sugar and add your sweetener until you are happy with the taste. You can then try reducing the amount of sugar in the recipe.
If you are using a SodaStream, you can add your sweetener to taste when you add the syrup to the fizzy water. However, be careful to pour the syrup slowly, as adding it too quickly will cause foam.
If you are making a simple homemade cola, you can substitute sugar with a sweetener of your choice. For example, you could make an orange soda with the juice of oranges, a sweetener, and sparkling water.
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Add carbonated water
Now it's time to add the carbonated water. This is a crucial step in making your diet cola at home, as the carbonation gives the drink its signature fizziness. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Firstly, it is important to use highly carbonated water. The carbonation is what will make your drink fizzy and resemble a typical cola beverage. The colder the carbonated water, the better. This helps ensure that your final product is nice and bubbly, just like the store-bought version.
Next, you'll need to add the carbonated water to your cola syrup. The amount of syrup you use will depend on your desired level of sweetness. As a starting point, try using 30ml (1 oz) of syrup for each bottle of carbonated water. However, feel free to adjust this ratio to suit your taste preferences. Remember to add the syrup slowly to the carbonated water. Pouring too quickly may result in excessive foaming.
If you're using a SodaStream, you can add the syrup directly to the machine's water reservoir. However, be cautious as some syrups can cause excessive foaming in the machine. Alternatively, you can pour the carbonated water into a bottle and then slowly add the syrup. This method gives you more control over the process and helps prevent messes.
Finally, seal your bottle tightly. Turn the sealed bottle gently from side to side to mix the syrup and carbonated water together. This gentle motion helps ensure your drink is evenly mixed without losing too much carbonation.
By following these steps, you'll be able to safely and effectively add carbonated water to your diet cola, creating a refreshing and bubbly beverage that rivals any store-bought option.
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Bottle the mixture
Once you've made your cola syrup, it's time to bottle your homemade cola. For each bottle, you'll need 30ml or 1oz of the cola syrup. You can use a condiment squeeze bottle with a small hole at the top to slowly pour the syrup into the fizzy water. Add the syrup to the bottle first, followed by two drops of saline solution. This will enhance the citrus elements and reduce the bitterness of the drink.
Next, add highly-carbonated water to the bottle. The colder the water is, the better, as this will help ensure your cola is not flat. Seal the bottle firmly with a crown, turning the sealed bottle to mix the contents.
Your homemade cola is now ready to drink and should resemble the flavour of cola-flavoured sweets. The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to two weeks, depending on the specific recipe used.
If you're looking for a quicker, less labour-intensive method, you could try using a SodaStream machine to make your own diet cola. Simply purchase a bag-in-box of diet cola syrup and add it slowly to carbonated water in your SodaStream bottle.
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Seal and store
Once you've made your homemade cola, it's important to seal and store it properly to maintain its freshness and fizziness. Here are the steps you should follow:
Seal the Bottle:
After adding the cola syrup and carbonated water to your bottle, make sure to seal it tightly. If you're using a bottle with a crown cap, firmly secure the cap in place. The rubber lining inside the cap will help create an airtight seal.
Store in a Cool, Dark Place:
Store your sealed bottles of diet cola in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a pantry or a cabinet. Avoid exposing the bottles to direct sunlight or extreme temperatures, as this can affect the quality and taste of the beverage.
Refrigerate Before Serving:
While it's not necessary to store your diet cola in the refrigerator, it is recommended to chill the bottles before serving. Place the bottles in the refrigerator a few hours before you plan to drink them. This will ensure that your homemade cola is refreshingly cold when consumed.
Consume Within a Few Days:
Even with proper sealing and storage, homemade cola may not have the same longevity as store-bought soda. It's best to consume your diet cola within a few days of preparation. This will ensure that the beverage remains fresh and that the carbonation doesn't dissipate.
Store Syrup Separately:
If you've prepared a large batch of cola syrup, you can store it separately from the carbonated water. Pour the syrup into airtight containers, such as mason jars or sealable bottles. Store the syrup in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to a week. When you're ready to serve, simply mix the syrup with carbonated water in the recommended proportions.
By following these sealing and storage instructions, you'll be able to enjoy your homemade diet cola at its best, maintaining both its flavour and fizziness.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need water, lemon zest, lime zest, orange zest, cinnamon sticks, dried orange peel, whole coriander seed, nutmeg, green bean coffee powder, sugar, lemon juice, lime juice, orange juice, browning sauce, and pure vanilla extract.
Combine the ingredients in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and bring to a boil, continuing to stir until the sugar dissolves. Remove the syrup from the heat and add the lemon, lime, and orange juices, browning sauce, and vanilla extract. Let the mixture cool, then strain the syrup into a sealable bottle for storage.
For each bottle, use 30ml or 1oz of the cola syrup. Add 2 drops of saline solution to enhance the citrus elements and reduce bitterness. Finally, add highly-carbonated water.
You can use a SodaStream to make your own diet cola. Simply add the syrup slowly to the fizzy water to avoid creating too much foam.
