Homemade Cola Syrup

Susannah Brinkley Henry

Make your own cola with cola syrup to make the best ever Cuba Libre!

Course Simple Syrup

Cuisine Cuban

Prep Time 1

Cook Time 30

Infusion TIme 2

Total Time 1 30

Servings servings

Calories 219kcal

Author Susannah Brinkley Henry

In a medium bowl or jar, combine the essential oils, orange blossom water and vodka. Slowly whisk in the gum arabic. The mixture will turn cloudy and yellow.
4 drops wild orange essential oil, 2 drops cinnamon essential oil, 6 drops lemon essential oil, 1 drop coriander essential oil, ¼ teaspoon orange blossom water, 2 ounces vodka
If the oils and vodka still separate when the mixture rests, add a small amount of gum arabic until the mixture is emulsified.
2 grams gum arabic

In a jar with a lid, infuse the bay leaves, basil leaves and vodka. Let sit for 48 hours. Reserving the liquid, strain out the leaves.
3-4 whole dried bay leaves, 12 leaves fresh basil, 1 ounce vodka
Score vanilla pods lengthwise with the tip of a knife. Using a spoon or knife, carefully scrape the seeds from the pods. Discard the pods or save for a later use.
6 pods vanilla beans
In a pan over medium low heat, warm the vanilla seeds, sugar and water. Stir until sugar is dissolved, about 5 minutes. Stir in the honey. Heat for 25 minutes more. Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or a cheesecloth.
6 pods vanilla beans, 6 cups granulated sugar, 4 cups water, ½ cup honey
In a large bowl, combine 3½ ounces of the vanilla syrup, the lime juice, citric acid, cola flavoring, caramel coloring, citric acid and caffeine powder, and ½ teaspoon of the basil and bay leaf infusion. Stir until combined.
½ cup lime juice, 1 teaspoon citric acid, 6 millileters cola flavoring, 5 grams caramel coloring, 2¾ grams powdered caffeine
Stir the mixture back into the vanilla syrup. Decant into a glass bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.

In a highball glass filled with ice, add rum, cola formula and soda water. Garnish with a lime wedge.
2 ounces light rum, 1 ounce cola syrup, 4 ounces club soda, lime wedge for garnish

Cooking times do not include 48 hours for the basil & bay leaf infusion in the cola formula.

Find more recipes at feastandwest.com