“Craft cola” (Japanese) – homemade cola is called this in Japan, which seemed to be the new boom since 2021.
The concept of “craft cola” is based on the ideas of “craftsmanship” “homemade” and other ideas such as “independence,” “traditional,” and “locality.”
It has been around before booming in 2021, but, getting the new trend started from the “craft cola” specialty shop in Shinjuku, Tokyo, and stylish grocery stores launched producing their original craft cola and also “cooking connoisseurs” created their original recipes.
Besides, the COVID restrictions encouraged the “craft cola” to boom more in Japan.
I couldn’t stop my curiosity, and also couldn’t wait to make whiskey highball with homemade cola.
I made the ultimate homemade cola… tastes like “Pepsi” in my opinion,
sooo good to share the recipe with you who like homemade cooking and healthy food with organic ingredients.
I call my craft cola “McCola” named from my name.
Easy To Make Homemade Natural Cola
Homemade cola aka “Craft Cola” is super-easy to make at home.
The refreshing, aromatic, herbal spicy, rich dark sweetness from maple syrup, and hints of citrus and ginger. It goes perfectly with classic whisky highball with coke!
Most ingredients are already in your kitchens- such as cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans (or vanilla extra) cloves, citrus fruits, sugar, and water.
It is also fun to arrange the amount and types of spices and citrus fruit to your taste.
- Kola nut powder can add authentic cola flavor.
- Black pepper can add a spicy peppery flavor.
- Coriander seeds add extra refreshing flavor.
- Lime can add sharp-refreshing favor.
Just boil the water, throw them, and simmer!
Refrigerate it overnight and serve it as classic cola divided with carbonated water or make cocktails!
Ingredients
- 2 cups purified water
- 2 cups raw cane sugar
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- ½ vanilla beans or 3 dashes of organic vanilla extra
- ½ organic, unwaxed lemon
- ¼ organic, unwaxed orange
- ¼ TSP Nutmeg
- ¼ TSP Cardamom powder
- 5 whole cloves
- 5 ginger slices
You can use brown sugar instead of raw cane sugar to add a richer taste and darker color.
What’s Cardamon
Cardamom is a ginger-family spice that is commonly used in Indian cuisine.
you can find cardamom as a whole pod, shelled whole seeds, or ground powder.
It is known as “the queen of spice” with its exotic complex aromatic flavor.
I use ground powder which is relatively found easily in grocery stores.
When using the whole pot, take out seeds from the pod.
McCola: Homemade Natural Cola Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups purified water
- 2 cups raw cane sugar
- 1 tbsp Maple syrup
- 2 Cinnamon sticks
- ½ vanilla beans or 3 dashes of organic vanilla extra
- ½ organic, unwaxed lemon
- ¼ organic, unwaxed orange
- ¼ TSP Nutmeg
- ¼ TSP Cardamom powder
- 5 whole cloves
- 5 ginger slices
Instructions
- In a medium pot, add water and sugar. Bring the water to a boil.
- Once the water is boiled, add the remaining ingredients. Bring it to a boil again.
- Simmer it for 10 minutes, turn off the stove and let it cool.
- Transfer homemade cola syrup to a clean jar or cover the pot, and refrigerate it overnight.
- Divide homemade cola syrup with carbonated water into a ratio of 1 to 3 or 4.
- Serve and enjoy "McCola"!
- Remove all ingredients from the McCola syrup and consume it within 3 weeks.
Video
Notes
How To Serve Homemade Cola
Adding craft cola “McCola” to milk, it tastes like “Chai”.
Make Irish coffee by adding the craft cola “McCola” to coffee.
Make “Colabier” by adding craft cola “McCola” to beer.
Make hot wine by adding the craft cola “McCola” to the wine.
Even I use homemade cola syrup to marinate the meat since it has full of spice and sugar.
Make The Best Cocktails With Homemade Cola
You will always have a winning combination when you make homemade cola syrup.
Grab fizzy water and your choice of spirit, and make the supreme cocktail to quench your thirst.
- Whiskey And Homemade Cola
- Rum And Homemade Cola
- Long Island Iced Tea
- Vodka And Homemade Cola
- Jack And Homemade Cola
- Shochu (Imo) And Homemade Cola
The Japanese Highball is a little far away from the classic highball cocktail at a stylish bar. “Highball” in Japan mainly often refers to “whiskey and soda” or sometimes “Shochu and soda”. Highball is really popular Izakaya drink as well as ice-cold draft beer, Chu-Hi, and lemon sour! RELAX, I want to introduce a “Japanese-style” whiskey highball but that doesn’t mean it is made of JAPANESE WHISKEY. So refreshing, dry, simple, fizzy, and fresh lemon, that’s all need!
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