Lab Cola – Homemade Coca-Cola Replica

Ingredients

• 45.8 ml Lemon Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 36.5 ml Lime Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 1.2 ml Orange Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 8 ml Tea Tree Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 4.5 ml Cassia Cinnamon Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 2.7 ml Nutmeg Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 0.7 ml Coriander Essential Oil (food‑grade, pure)
• 0.6 ml Fenchol (essential oil) (food‑grade, pure; often sold as part of pine‑type oil blends)
• 980 ml Food‑Grade Ethanol (95%) (use as diluent for 7X solution; non‑potable ethanol)
• 10 ml 5% Vinegar (apple cider or white vinegar diluted to 5%)
• 9.65 g Caffeine Powder (pure anhydrous caffeine)
• 175 g Glycerin (food‑grade, adds mouthfeel)
• 45 ml Phosphoric Acid (85%) (handle with gloves; food‑grade)
• 8 g Wine Tannins (purified, for astringency)
• 10 ml Vanilla Extract (pure, not imitation)
• 320 ml Shanks Caramel Color (pure caramel color, no red/green dyes)
• 104 g Sucrose (Granulated Sugar) (white cane sugar)
• ~1 L Carbonated Water (cold, from SodaStream or store‑bought)

Instructions

1. Gather Equipment & Safety Gear

   Put on gloves and goggles, set out the balance, pipette, cylinders, bottles, stirrer, and heating source. Verify that all glassware is clean.

   Time: PT15M

2. Make 7X Flavor Oil Blend

   Measure the essential oils (lemon, lime, orange, tea tree, cassia cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, fenchol) using the micro‑pipette and combine them in a small glass vial. Mix gently.

   Time: PT5M

3. Prepare 7X Alcohol Solution

   Add 20 ml of the blended flavor oil to 980 ml of food‑grade ethanol in a dark 1 L bottle. Cap tightly and shake until fully dispersed. Let the solution sit for 1‑2 days to age (no active time).

   Time: PT5M

4. Create Water‑Based Additive Solution

   Heat ~200 ml of distilled water to near boiling. Add 10 ml 5 % vinegar, 9.65 g caffeine, 175 g glycerin, 45 ml 85 % phosphoric acid, 8 g wine tannins, 10 ml vanilla extract, and 320 ml caramel color one by one, stirring fully after each addition. Once dissolved, top up with water to reach exactly 1 L total volume.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: 95°C

5. Make Sugar Syrup

   In a glass dish, combine 104 g sucrose with just enough water (≈100 ml) to dissolve. Stir until clear.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: room temperature

6. Combine Flavor Solutions with Syrup

   Add 10 ml of the water‑based solution and 1 ml of the 7X ethanol solution to the sugar syrup. Taste and, if needed, add a few extra drops of the 7X solution for balance.

   Time: PT2M

7. Heat Mixture to Near Boiling

   Place the combined mixture in the microwave or on the stove and heat until it reaches about 95 °C (just below a rolling boil). Cover the vessel to retain volatile aromas.

   Time: PT5M

   Temperature: 95°C

8. Cool the Concentrated Syrup

   Remove from heat and allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: room temperature

9. Dilute with Carbonated Water

   Transfer the cooled syrup to a clean container and add cold carbonated water until the total volume reaches 1 L. Stir gently to avoid excessive foaming.

   Time: PT3M

   Temperature: cold

10. Rest and Serve

    Seal the final cola, refrigerate for at least 1 hour (ideally overnight) to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled.

    Time: PT0M

    Temperature: 4°C

Nutrition Facts

Calories

420

Protein

0 g

Carbohydrates

104 g

Fat

0 g

Fiber

0 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Food‑Grade Ethanol (95%): high‑proof vodka
• Instead of Glycerin: vegetable glycerin
• Instead of Vanilla Extract: vanilla bean paste
• Instead of Shanks Caramel Color: other food‑grade caramel color
• Instead of Sucrose (Granulated Sugar): high‑fructose corn syrup

Equipment Needed

• Analytical Balance (mass scale)
• Adjustable Micro‑pipette (0‑1000 µL)
• 50 ml Graduated Cylinder
• 1 L Glass Storage Bottle (dark)
• Heat‑Resistant Glassware (e.g., Pyrex beaker)
• Magnetic Stirrer
• 1 L Volumetric Flask
• Glass Mixing Dish
• Microwave or Stove
• Protective Gloves
• Safety Goggles
• Funnel (optional)

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Accurate measurement of essential oils (step 2)
• Handling phosphoric acid safely (step 4)
• Proper dilution of 7X flavor oil in ethanol (step 3)
• Heating to near boiling without over‑boiling (step 7)
• Adding carbonation only after dilution (step 9)

Chef Tips from the Video

• Use high‑purity, food‑grade essential oils for the cleanest flavor profile
• Distilled water prevents mineral interference with acid reactions
• If ethanol is unavailable, use high‑proof vodka but expect a slight flavor shift
• Adjust sweetness by adding up to 10 g more sugar if desired

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Store the 7X concentrate in a sealed dark bottle for up to 6 months. Finished cola keeps 5 days in the fridge.

Freezer: Not recommended; freezing may cause separation.

Room temperature: Unopened concentrate can sit at room temperature in a dark place for up to 3 months.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Age the 7X flavor oil blend for 1‑2 days before use
• The water‑based additive solution can be prepared in bulk and stored refrigerated for up to 2 weeks
• The 7X ethanol concentrate is stable for months when kept sealed and dark

Frequently Asked Questions