Cola I

Ingredients

• ½ ea. lemon, peel removed
• ½ ea. orange, peel removed
• 14 dried makrut lime leaves
• 25 mg caffeine (optional)
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) powdered cinnamon
• 1 tsp (5 ml) powdered nutmeg
• 1 tsp (5 ml) coriander seed
• 5 tbsp (75 ml) water
• 1 cup (240 ml) water
• 5 tsp (25 ml) strained fresh lime juice
• ½ tsp (2.5 ml) finely powdered citric acid
• ¼ cup (60 ml) white sugar
• 1 cup (240 ml) white sugar
• Carbonated water, as needed

Method

1. Chop the lemon and orange peels into small pieces.
2. Combine the peels, lime leaves, caffeine, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, and 5 tbsp (75 ml) water in a mortar. Use the pestle to crush and grind everything together, ensuring that everything is well-blended to extract the flavors.
3. Transfer the ground mixture to a saucepan. Simmer for 10 minutes, then remove from the heat.
4. Strain the mixture, then combine it with the 1 cup water, lime juice, and citric acid. Set aside.
5. Transfer the ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar into a heavy saucepan. Carefully melt it over medium heat, making sure the entire mixture heats evenly and doesn't burn. Cook the sugar until caramelized.
6. Carefully stir the citrus mixture into the caramelized sugar, watching out for splatters, until it is homogenized.
7. Stir in the 1 cup (240 ml) sugar, and boil until it becomes a viscous and honey-like syrup of approximately 1¼ cup (300 ml) in volume. Remove from the heat and let cool.
8. To make the finished soda, combine 1 volume of syrup with 5 volumes of carbonated water.