Cola Syrup
2014-05-07Ingredients
- ¾ cup cracked Kola Nuts
- 4” long Cinnamon Stick
- 1 Star Anise
- 10 Cloves
- ½ Vanilla Bean, split in half
- 4 cups Water
- 5½ cups Granulated Sugar
- 3 Tbsp Lime Zest (from 2-3 Limes)
- 2 tsp Citric Acid
- Add the kola nuts, cinnamon stick, star anise, and cloves to a large sauce pot. Stir on medium-high heat and toast until fragrant (about 2 minutes). Add the remaining ingredients, stir, and bring to a boil. (Gently scrape the vanilla bean to express its pulp.) Stir to dissolve the sugar. Boil for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit for 2 to 4 hours. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bottle and store in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks.
This delightful Cola Syrup utilizes Kola Nuts to provide that traditional nutty, barky, slightly bitter cola flavor. This is not going to taste like Coca-Cola, but is a lighter and livelier concoction with lots of interest and complexity. This is our syrup-of-choice for our Bucking Branca cocktail and we also use it in other great cocktails inspired by the depth and complexity this syrup can add, but you can use it as a fun and creative way to enliven any classic or contemporary cocktail calling for a sugared syrup. If you’re looking for a simpler version or are searching for a true Coca-Cola taste, then take a look at our Coca-Cola Syrup (reduction) recipe.