OpenCola

[Skylace]

While Pepsi and Coca-Cola (and others) closely guard their secrets to making cola beverages, several organizations have released their own recipes. Below is the recipe for homemade "OpenCola," an open-source cola beverage that invites makers to create and modify their recipe to achieve a better beverage. It is licensed under the GNU General Public License

Ingredients

All ingredients listed are in metric units.

Flavoring

* 3.50 ml orange oil
* 1.00 ml lemon oil
* 1.00 ml nutmeg oil
* 1.25 ml cassia oil
* 0.25 ml coriander oil
* 0.25 ml neroli oil
* 2.75 ml lime oil
* 0.25 ml lavender oil
* 10.0 g gum arabic
* 3.00 ml water

Concentrate

* 2.00 tsp flavoring
* 3.50 tsp 75% phosphoric acid or citric acid
* 2.28 l water
* 2.36 kg granulated white sugar
* 0.50 tsp caffeine (optional. use caution)
* 30.0 ml caramel color

Steps
Flavoring

1. Mix together the oils.
2. Add gum arabic and mix completely.
3. Add water and mix well. For this step, use a hand mixer or blender to thoroughly mix together.
4. The flavoring can be made in advance and stored for use later. Place in a sealed glass jar and place in the refrigerator or keep at room temperature.

* When stored, the oils and water will separate. Just mix again before use. When used, the gum arabic will keep things together.

Concentrate

1. Mix 5 ml of flavoring with the phosphoric or citric acid.
2. Add the water and sugar and, while mixing, add caffeine if desired.

* Make sure that the caffeine is completely dissolved before moving on to the next step.
3. Add caramel color and mix completely.

Soda

1. Mix one part of concentrate with five parts water. In other words, however much you use of the concentrate, use five times as much of water.
2. Carbonate the beverage. There are a few ways this can be accomplished:

* Carbonate the beverage yourself
* Mix soda water directly with the concentrate, as described in the previous step
* Use a soda fountain that will combine the concentrate with carbonated water at the tap
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Okay, I haven't tried this but I saw it online today and thought it was pretty interesting. I might have to give it a try one weekend.

[eefanincan]

Interesting..... but much easier to open a can or bottle Speaking of which.... I'm off to get one from the fridge!

[pirtybirdy]

Where does one find most of these ingredients to make the open cola? LOL!

[Skylace]

I don't know pirty. But I thought it would be something fun to try. Might even make a good science project!

[eefanincan]

Probably some sort of specialty/gourmet food store. I'm guessing it would cost a fortune.... but still might be fun to try!

[Ash]

Considering my first name and beard, if I go to a shop ask for these ingredients, I'll certainly be reported to the police

[eefanincan]

Considering my first name and beard, if I go to a shop ask for these ingredients, I'll certainly be reported to the police

Better stick with the ready made stuff, then mate.

[major.tom]

Considering my first name and beard, if I go to a shop ask for these ingredients, I'll certainly be reported to the police

"I'm just trying to make cola, honest!"

I'm surprised by how much oil and sugar there is in cola. I'm too lazy to make this, but should probably swear off colas altogether.