Recipe: Natural Cola (homemade cola syrup)

NATURAL COLA

"Extracts aren't necessary for cola flavor. After all, those extracts originally started as real ingredients, so why not go right to the source? This formula yields a beautiful cola concoction using all fresh and dried ingredients, readily available in most home refrigerators and spice cupboards."

FOR THE COLA SYRUP:
1 quart water
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
Finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime
Finely grated zest and juice of 2 oranges
3 large (5-inch) cinnamon sticks, broken into small
2 tablespoons dried bitter orange peel
2 teaspoons coriander seed
1/4 teaspoon finely grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon gum Arabic* (optional)
2 pounds sugar
1/4 cup browning sauce, such as Kitchen Bouquet
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the 1 quart water, lemon zest, lime zest, orange zest, cinnamon, bitter orange peel, coriander seed, nutmeg, and gum arabic (if using) in a large saucepan. Whisk together until the gum arabic dissolves. Stir in the sugar and bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Boil for 1 minute.

Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon, lime, and orange juices, along with the browning sauce and vanilla. Let cool, then strain. This syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

*The one ingredient you might have to search for is gum arabic. It's there for mouthfeel rather than flavor, so if you don't have it, your cola will still be delicious; it will just seem a little thin.

Makes enough cola syrup for 5 quarts brewed cola.

TO MIX WITH SELTZER AND SERVE

For 1 serving:
1/2 cup cola syrup
1 1/2 cups seltzer
Ice

Pour the syrup into a tall glass. Add the seltzer and stir just until blended. Add ice and serve.

Source: Homemade Soda by Andrew Schloss