Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
kick as coca cola or pepsi)?

With your help, I've solved the home carbonation problem and now endeavor
to replace the "cola kick" that is so addictingly pervasive in corporate
colas.

I've tried carbonated lemon juice but find the visceral kick isn't as
satisfying as that of a store-bought cola.

In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
find a home kitchen cola recipe.

As for ingredients, it seems two no brainers are the caffeine powders and
the HFCS, both of which appear to be mail orderable if not in the local
stores, however, this open source recipe for homemade cola (licensed under
the GNU General Public License) doesn't seem to use either:
http://www.wikihow.com/Make-OpenCola
* 2.00 mL olive oil
* 3.50 mL orange oil
* 1.00 mL lemon oil
* 1.00 mL nutmeg oil
* 1.25 ml cassia (cinnamon) oil
* 0.25 mL coriander oil
* 0.25 mL neroli oil (similar to petitgrain, bergamot, or bitter orange
oil)
* 2.75 mL lime oil
* 0.25 mL lavender oil
* 10.0 g food-grade, NOT ART-GRADE gum arabic (thickener)
* 3.00 mL water

Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
it the leaf ... http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp )

On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:26:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo wrote:

> Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
> satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
> it the leaf ... http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp )

Actually, I found LOTS of home made cola recipes (I should have googled
more extensively before I asked for a home made cola recipe).
http://www.alpharubicon.com/kids/makesoda.html
http://sparror.cubecinema.com/cube/c...stry/cola2.htm
http://www.tristanstephenson.com/wor...e-cola-recipe/
http://coffeetea.about.com/od/sodas/Soda_Recipes.htm
http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/rec...ola78603.shtml
http://www.askyourneighbor.com/recipes/364.htm
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/namebrand/coca-cola.html
http://recipecircus.com/recipes/Harp...made_Cola.html
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Real-...a-at-Home.aspx
http://www.associatedcontent.com/art...a_recipes.html
etc.

The main problem with these homemade cola soda forumulas is they all seem
to have quite a variety of presumably hard-to-find ingredients, petit
grain, coriander oil, coco, phosphoric acid, caffeine (legal limit is
65mg/12oz = http://coffeefaq.com/site/node/13), dried lavender flowers,
cola nuts, star anise, citric acid, etc..

What's useful is to find a single supplier for the various ingredients,
yet, perhaps, what's more interesting is to figure out what the secret
ingredient is that give it the essential mind-numbing bite.

Elmo wrote:
> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>
> With your help, I've solved the home carbonation problem and now endeavor
> to replace the "cola kick" that is so addictingly pervasive in corporate
> colas.
>
> I've tried carbonated lemon juice but find the visceral kick isn't as
> satisfying as that of a store-bought cola.
>
> In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
> corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
> which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
> find a home kitchen cola recipe.
>
> As for ingredients, it seems two no brainers are the caffeine powders and
> the HFCS, both of which appear to be mail orderable if not in the local
> stores, however, this open source recipe for homemade cola (licensed under
> the GNU General Public License) doesn't seem to use either:
> http://www.wikihow.com/Make-OpenCola
> * 2.00 mL olive oil
> * 3.50 mL orange oil
> * 1.00 mL lemon oil
> * 1.00 mL nutmeg oil
> * 1.25 ml cassia (cinnamon) oil
> * 0.25 mL coriander oil
> * 0.25 mL neroli oil (similar to petitgrain, bergamot, or bitter orange
> oil)
> * 2.75 mL lime oil
> * 0.25 mL lavender oil
> * 10.0 g food-grade, NOT ART-GRADE gum arabic (thickener)
> * 3.00 mL water
>
> Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
> satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
> it the leaf ... http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp )


Well, honey and HFCS have almost identical sugar profiles (approx.
55% fructose, 45% dextrose), so that might be a good start*. Add
caffeine, caramel color, and carbonation and you're almost there.

And don't forget some form of sodium, so it makes you thirstier
instead of quenches.

Bob

--
*I know honey is pure and good, and HFCS is evil. It's not my fault
they are essentially the same thing.

On Apr 11, 3:26*pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid> wrote:
> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>

What can you make with dog poop?

--Bryan

In article >,
Elmo > wrote:

> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>
> With your help, I've solved the home carbonation problem and now endeavor
> to replace the "cola kick" that is so addictingly pervasive in corporate
> colas.
>
> I've tried carbonated lemon juice but find the visceral kick isn't as
> satisfying as that of a store-bought cola.
>
> In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
> corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
> which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
> find a home kitchen cola recipe.
>
> As for ingredients, it seems two no brainers are the caffeine powders and
> the HFCS, both of which appear to be mail orderable if not in the local
> stores, however, this open source recipe for homemade cola (licensed under
> the GNU General Public License) doesn't seem to use either:
> http://www.wikihow.com/Make-OpenCola
> * 2.00 mL olive oil
> * 3.50 mL orange oil
> * 1.00 mL lemon oil
> * 1.00 mL nutmeg oil
> * 1.25 ml cassia (cinnamon) oil
> * 0.25 mL coriander oil
> * 0.25 mL neroli oil (similar to petitgrain, bergamot, or bitter orange
> oil)
> * 2.75 mL lime oil
> * 0.25 mL lavender oil
> * 10.0 g food-grade, NOT ART-GRADE gum arabic (thickener)
> * 3.00 mL water
>
> Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
> satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
> it the leaf ... http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp )

My guess would be the nutmeg:

<http://www.erowid.org/plants/nutmeg/nutmeg_info3.shtml>

Nutmeg can be used as a psychedelic.

And no, I've never tried it. <g>

I've only ever used it as a a spice in sausage ingredients, or grated
lightly over eggnog.
--
Peace! Om

Web Albums: <http://picasaweb.google.com/OMPOmelet>
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat. --Alex Levine

Elmo wrote:
....

> In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
> corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
> which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
> find a home kitchen cola recipe.
....

Whatever is the real thing, it certainly ain't the corn sugar; that's a
relatively recent replacement for only because it's cheaper by
far...oldsters will claim the switch actually makes the beverage less
palatable.

--

> On Apr 11, 3:26 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-
> Address.invalid> wrote:
>> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
>> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>>
>



I haven't seen/haven't looked in quite a while, but grocery stores
used to carry root beer extract to which you added yeast to ferment and
produce carbonation. You could shortcut the yeast and use your CO2.

gloria p

On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 17:58:02 -0600, "gloria.p" >
wrote:

>
>> On Apr 11, 3:26 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-
>> Address.invalid> wrote:
>>> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
>>> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>>>
>>
>
>
>
>I haven't seen/haven't looked in quite a while, but grocery stores
>used to carry root beer extract to which you added yeast to ferment and
>produce carbonation. You could shortcut the yeast and use your CO2.

Why not simply buy a seltza bottle... add any flavors you desire
including eggcream.

Now, you're ready to be in marketing department. well said.

--
Christopher A. Young
Learn more about Jesus
www.lds.org
..


"zxcvbob" >
wrote in message ...


And don't forget some form of sodium, so it makes you
thirstier
instead of quenches.

Bob

--
*I know honey is pure and good, and HFCS is evil. It's not
my fault
they are essentially the same thing.

On Apr 11, 8:21*pm, "Stormin Mormon"
> wrote:
> Now, you're ready to be in marketing department. well said.
>
> --
> Christopher A. Young
> Learn more about Jesus
> *www.lds.org
> .
>
> "zxcvbob" >
> wrote in ...
>
> And don't forget some form of sodium, so it makes you
> thirstier instead of quenches.

Are you wearing your magical underpants right now? Of course you are.
>
> Bob
>
--Bryan

On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:26:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo
> wrote:

>Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
>kick as coca cola or pepsi)?

Get cola nuts and a guy with a big laugh and a Carribean accent.
That's the way they did it on tv.

On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:28:08 -0400, mm wrote:

> Get cola nuts and a guy with a big laugh and a Carribean accent.
> That's the way they did it on tv.

Here, for posterity, are some of the cola recipes I found today.
I'm not sure which one to pick because many use exotic ingredients.
I want simple; but with a kick.

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-OpenCola
* 2.00 mL olive oil
* 3.50 mL orange oil
* 1.00 mL lemon oil
* 1.00 mL nutmeg oil
* 1.25 ml cassia (cinnamon) oil
* 0.25 mL coriander oil
* 0.25 mL neroli oil
* 2.75 mL lime oil
* 0.25 mL lavender oil
* 10.0 g food-grade, NOT ART-GRADE gum arabic (thickener)
* 3.00 mL water

http://sparror.cubecinema.com/cube/c...stry/cola2.htm
1 oz Citrate Caffeine 30 lbs. Sugar
3 oz Citric Acid 4 oz fluid extract from cocoa leaves
1 oz Ext. Vanilla 2.5 gal.Water
1 Qt. Lime Juice Caramel - sufficient
2.5 oz Flavourings where you choose one of those below:
80 drops Oil Orange 40 drops Oil Cinnamon
120 drops Oil Lemon 20 drops Oil Coriander
40 drops Oil Nutmeg 40 drops Oil Neroli
1 Qt Alcohol

http://sparror.cubecinema.com/cube/c...stry/cola2.htm
2.4 kg Sugar, dissolved in the minimum of water 3.1 g Caffeine
37 g Caramel 11 g Phosphoric Acid
1.1 g Decocainized Coca Leaf 0.37 g Kola Nuts
30 g Lime Juice 19 g Glycerine (vegetarian)
1.5 g Vanilla Extract
Flavourings (7X formula):
0.88 g (1.032 ml) Lemon Oil Trace Lavender Oil
0.47 g (0.557 ml) Orange Oil Trace Neroli Oil
0.20 g (0.190 ml) Cassia Oil 4.9 g 95% Alcohol
0.07 g (0.077 ml) Nutmeg Oil 2.7 g (2.7 ml) Water
Trace Coriander Oil

http://www.tristanstephenson.com/wor...e-cola-recipe/
# Zest of 2 oranges
# Zest of 2 limes
# Zest of 1 lemon
# 2 pinches of ground cinnamon
# 2 pinches of ground nutmeg
# 1 points of a star anise (crushed)
# 1/2 teaspoon of dried lavender flowers
# 1/2 teaspoon cola nuts (crushed ¡V mortar & pestle may be required.
WARNING! Cola nuts can be dangerous and are known to be carcinogenic, use
at your own risk -Wiki Article)
# 10g stem ginger
# 1/3 vanilla pod with the seeds scraped out and added as well
# 1/4 teaspoon citric acid

http://coffeetea.about.com/gi/o.htm?...most_Coke.html
2 T Sugar
1 t Vanilla
1/4 t Cinnamon
1 t Bottled Lime Juice
1 C Club Soda

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/rec...ola78603.shtml
1/4 cup cold black coffee
2 teaspoons Lipton instant lemon-tea powder
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon sugar or artificial sweetener
1/2 pinch black pepper
Club soda

http://www.askyourneighbor.com/recipes/364.htm
1/4 c. cold black coffee
2 t. Lipton instant lemon-tea powder
1/8 t. vanilla extract
1 level t. sugar or artificial sweetener
few grains of black pepper

http://www.recipegoldmine.com/namebrand/coca-cola.html
32 fluid ounces caramel
32 fluid ounces lime juice
16 fluid ounces glycerin
12 fluid ounces 95% alcohol
12 fluid ounces Cola Flavor Base (recipe below)
Caffeine solution (2 ounces caffeine in 10 fluid ounces water)
2 fluid ounces vanilla extract

http://recipecircus.com/recipes/Harp...made_Cola.html
1/4 C cold black coffee
2 t Lipton instant lemon-tea powder
1/8 t vanilla extract
1 level t sugar or artificial sweetener
few grains of black pepper

etc.

It's amazing the list of ingredients in these open source colas!
I wonder which are the key ingredients that give coca cola its kick???

Elmo wrote:
> On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:28:08 -0400, mm wrote:
>
>> Get cola nuts and a guy with a big laugh and a Carribean accent.
>> That's the way they did it on tv.
>
> Here, for posterity, are some of the cola recipes I found today.
> I'm not sure which one to pick because many use exotic ingredients.
> I want simple; but with a kick.
>

Have oyu tried the Torani's cola syrup? mix with carbonated water.
--
JL

On Apr 12, 12:17*am, Joseph Littleshoes > wrote:
> Elmo wrote:
> > On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:28:08 -0400, mm wrote:
>
> >> Get cola nuts and a guy with a big laugh and a Carribean accent.
> >> That's the way they did it on tv.
>
> > Here, for posterity, are some of the cola recipes I found today.
> > I'm not sure which one to pick because many use exotic ingredients.
> > I want simple; but with a kick.
>
> Have oyu tried the Torani's cola syrup? mix with carbonated water.
> --
> JL

Wouldn't it be easier to just go to the nearest grocery or convenience
store and buy what you think tastes good??????

On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 07:57:26 -0700 (PDT), hr(bob) wrote:

> Wouldn't it be easier to just go to the nearest grocery or convenience
> store and buy what you think tastes good??????

(a) It wouldn't be much fun and certainly I'd learn nothing from it ...

(b) It would cost $1.50 a bottle + 10 cents CRV lost to the city ...

(c) Doing it myself costs 5 cents a bottle in total & I learn something.

On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:26:49 +0000 (UTC) in rec.food.cooking, Elmo
> wrote,
>Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
>satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas?

I suspect that it's the phosphoric acid.

On 4/11/2010 4:26 PM, Elmo wrote:
> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>
> With your help, I've solved the home carbonation problem and now endeavor
> to replace the "cola kick" that is so addictingly pervasive in corporate
> colas.
>
> I've tried carbonated lemon juice but find the visceral kick isn't as
> satisfying as that of a store-bought cola.
>
> In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
> corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
> which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
> find a home kitchen cola recipe.
>
> As for ingredients, it seems two no brainers are the caffeine powders and
> the HFCS, both of which appear to be mail orderable if not in the local
> stores, however, this open source recipe for homemade cola (licensed under
> the GNU General Public License) doesn't seem to use either:
> http://www.wikihow.com/Make-OpenCola
> * 2.00 mL olive oil
> * 3.50 mL orange oil
> * 1.00 mL lemon oil
> * 1.00 mL nutmeg oil
> * 1.25 ml cassia (cinnamon) oil
> * 0.25 mL coriander oil
> * 0.25 mL neroli oil (similar to petitgrain, bergamot, or bitter orange
> oil)
> * 2.75 mL lime oil
> * 0.25 mL lavender oil
> * 10.0 g food-grade, NOT ART-GRADE gum arabic (thickener)
> * 3.00 mL water
>
> Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
> satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
> it the leaf ... http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp )

You did not post the entire list. That's the "flavoring".

Below it you will find the "concentrate", which has, among other things,
2 kg of sugar and 2.5mL of caffeine. There's your "kick".

On Apr 11, 1:26 pm, Elmo <dcdraftwo...@Use-Author-Supplied-
Address.invalid> wrote:
> Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
> kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
[snip]
> Which is the "essential" ingredient in the above that gives it the
> satisfying cola kick you find in store-bought colas? (Note: Snopes thinks
> it the leaf ...http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp)

Interesting question, about which I have no useful information. I can
tell you that the new TJ Italian sodas--grapefruit and blood orange--
are almost addictively good. They really give you that rush and mouth
feel that make you want to keep guzzling. Whatever the ingredient or
carbonization process is that produces what you're looking for,
they've got it (albeit at a high price). Maybe if you look at their
ingredients you might avoid wasting time with inessentials..... -aem

On Sun, 11 Apr 2010 20:26:49 +0000 (UTC), Elmo
> wrote:

>Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
>kick as coca cola or pepsi)?

What you could do is buy the cola commerically, open the containers
and remove the water through evaporation or assisted evaporation.

Then add what remains to your carbonated liquid, and mix.

Joseph Littleshoes wrote:

> Have oyu tried the Torani's cola syrup? mix with carbonated water.

Thanks for that. I found DaVinci Root Beer syrup at a store today, looking for
the cola syrup which they didn't have.

On Mon, 12 Apr 2010 17:05:23 -0400, mm wrote:


>>Anyone have an easy recipe for home made carbonated cola (with a similar
>>kick as coca cola or pepsi)?
>
> What you could do is buy the cola commerically, open the containers
> and remove the water through evaporation or assisted evaporation.
>
> Then add what remains to your carbonated liquid, and mix.

On Apr 11, 7:18*pm, dpb > wrote:
> Elmo wrote:
>
> ...
>
> > In a previous thread, folks mentioned the "caffeine", or "high-fructose
> > corn syrup" (aka HFCS) might be the ingredients in the manufactured colas
> > which provide that addictively satisfying kick ... hence my endeavor to
> > find a home kitchen cola recipe.
>
> ...
>
> Whatever is the real thing, it certainly ain't the corn sugar; that's a
> relatively recent replacement for only because it's cheaper by
> far...oldsters will claim the switch actually makes the beverage less
> palatable.
>
> --

Nobody can open a bottle of "Kick" and taste it to see what Elmo was
referring to in the OP. It's not the leaf as suggested in at least one
of the replies. It's not the corn sugar. It's the co2. Drink your
beverage flat (uncarbonated). Then drink your bev erage highly
carbonated (use the Fizz Giz from FizzGiz.com to kick it up a notch).
Decide if the difference you notice is what you referred to as kick.
Quickest way to remove all carbonation from any commercial soda
product is to heat it to steaming, stir, allow to cool then
refrigerate. That will flatten a soda in nothing flat.

dpb > wrote:
>
> Whatever is the real thing, it certainly ain't the corn sugar; that's a
> relatively recent replacement for only because it's cheaper by
> far...oldsters will claim the switch actually makes the beverage less
> palatable.

There's a "biography" about the Coco Cola company. It tells of using
cane sugar for decades, then switching to beat sugar during WWII then
switching to HFCS.

Some folks can tell the difference between cane sugar and other sugars.
I can if they are straight and side by side but not by the time they are
further refined and used in a recipe. I remember being able to tell the
old Coca Cola from the "Classic Coke". I'm not convinced that the only
difference was the type of sugar used.

There are root beer kits to make semi-home-made root beer. The kit I
have is the Mr Beer type. You could brew a batch with two different
types of sugar and see if you can tell the difference. I bet unless you
use the obviously brown partially refined cane sugar you won't be able
to tell.

Ranee at Arabian Knits wrote:
>
>I do prefer RC to the other major cola companies when we're
> talking cans.

Regular - Pepsi is sweeter than RC. Coke is more sour than RC. Shasta
is weaker than RC. It's why I prefer RC but I do get that some prefer
sweeter or more sour.

Diet - Diet Rite uses sucrolose not aspartame. I have no problems with
aspartame but my wife does. Good enough reason for me.

> I can get the cane sugar Coke in glass bottles from the
> Cash and Carry, though, and that is pretty good.

The Coke that's bottled in Mexico uses cane sugar. It is also bottled
in many other countires and it is likely to use cane sugar in those
places as well.

In article >,
Doug Freyburger > wrote:


> Some folks can tell the difference between cane sugar and other sugars.
> I can if they are straight and side by side but not by the time they are
> further refined and used in a recipe. I remember being able to tell the
> old Coca Cola from the "Classic Coke". I'm not convinced that the only
> difference was the type of sugar used.
>
> There are root beer kits to make semi-home-made root beer. The kit I
> have is the Mr Beer type. You could brew a batch with two different
> types of sugar and see if you can tell the difference. I bet unless you
> use the obviously brown partially refined cane sugar you won't be able
> to tell.

I didn't realize that regular brown sugar was *ever* partially refined
sugar, but it is:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_sugar

However:

"Brown sugar is often produced by adding cane molasses to completely
refined white sugar crystals in order to more carefully control the
ratio of molasses to sugar crystals and to reduce manufacturing
costs.[citation needed] This also allows the production of brown sugars
to be based predominantly on beet sugar."

Of course, if you buy something specifically labeled as partially
refined cane sugar, then I would assume that it is.

I just looked at my package of Safeway brown sugar. Ingredients are
sugar, invert sugar and cane molasses.

--
Dan Abel
Petaluma, California USA

Ranee at Arabian Knits wrote:
I can get the cane sugar Coke in glass bottles from the
> Cash and Carry, though, and that is pretty good. We get a case about
> once a year.
>
> Regards,
> Ranee @ Arabian Knits

I try to keep my eyes peeled for Kosher Coke in the 2 L. bottles (yellow
cap) as that is made with cane sugar. Apparently something in the
production process of corn syrup makes it unacceptable for those who
desire Kosher foods. Passover is a particularly good time to find this
stuff, and sadly I forgot to look this year.

Goomba wrote:
>
> Ranee at Arabian Knits wrote:
> I can get the cane sugar Coke in glass bottles from the
> > Cash and Carry, though, and that is pretty good. We get a case about
> > once a year.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Ranee @ Arabian Knits
>
> I try to keep my eyes peeled for Kosher Coke in the 2 L. bottles (yellow
> cap) as that is made with cane sugar. Apparently something in the
> production process of corn syrup makes it unacceptable for those who
> desire Kosher foods. Passover is a particularly good time to find this
> stuff, and sadly I forgot to look this year.


My first guess is because corn products aren't kosher for Passover for
many (but not all) Jewish people.

A nicely detailed explanation is he
http://www.oukosher.org/index.php/pa.../article/4830/