How to Make OpenCola

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OpenCola is a non-copyrighted variation of cola. This delicious recipe is quick and easy to make and has a similar taste to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. Drink this sweet and refreshing beverage by itself or with ice. Enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 3.5 millilitres (0.71  tsp) of orange oil
  • 1 millilitre (0.20  tsp) of lemon oil
  • 1 millilitre (0.20  tsp) of nutmeg oil
  • 1.25 millilitres (0.25  tsp) of cassia (cinnamon) oil
  • 0.25 millilitres (0.051  tsp) of coriander oil
  • 0.25 millilitres (0.051  tsp) of neroli oil
  • 2.75 millilitres (0.56  tsp) of lime oil
  • 0.25 millilitres (0.051  tsp) of lavender oil
  • 10 grams (0.35 oz) of food-grade gum arabic
  • 3 millilitres (0.61  tsp) of water
  • 17.5 ml (3.5 tsp) of 75% citric acid or phosphoric acid
  • 2.28 litres (9.6  c) of water
  • 2.36 kilograms (5.2 lb) of granulated white sugar
  • 0.5 millilitres (0.10  tsp) of caffeine (optional)
  • 30 millilitres (6.1  tsp) of caramel color (optional)
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Making the Syrup

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  1. Measure 3.5 mL (0.71  tsp) of orange oil, 1 mL (0.20  tsp) of lemon oil, 1 mL (0.20  tsp) of nutmeg oil, 1.25 mL (0.25  tsp) of cassia oil, 0.25 mL (0.051  tsp) of coriander oil, 0.25 mL (0.051  tsp) of neroli oil, 2.75 mL (0.56  tsp) of lime oil, and 0.25 mL (0.051  tsp) of lavender oil into a bowl. Use a spoon to mix the oils and water until they are thoroughly combined. This mixture makes the flavouring for the cola. [1]
    • If you find it difficult to source neroli oil, use petitgrain, bergamot, or bitter orange oil instead.
    • Cassia oil is also called cinnamon oil.
    • If possible, use pure essential oils, as these will have a superior taste. Purchase essential oils from a health store or online.
  2. Measure 15 mL (0.53 imp fl oz; 0.51  fl oz) of the flavouring you created, 17.5 ml (3.5 tsp) of 75% citric acid or phosphoric acid, 2.28 L (9.6  c) of water, 2.36 kg (5.2 lb) of granulated white sugar, 0.5 mL (0.10  tsp) of caffeine (optional), and 30 mL (6.1  tsp) caramel color (optional) into a blender. If you don’t have a blender, use a food processor instead.
    • Don’t add extra caffeine to the recipe, as high doses can make you unwell.
    • Caramel coloring doesn’t affect the flavour of the cola, it simply gives the colour a pale brown colour.
    • Purchase caramel coloring and caffeine from a speciality foods store.
    • Store any unused flavoring in an airtight container in the fridge.
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  3. The gum arabic acts as a thickener and helps to give the mixture a syrup consistency. Make sure to use food-grade gum arabic rather than art-grade gum, as the latter will make you sick. [2]
    • Purchase gum arabic from a speciality foods store.
  4. Turn the blender to the highest setting and blend the ingredients until the sugar is thoroughly dispersed amongst the liquids. This mixture creates the syrup base for the OpenCola.
    • If you want to keep the syrup to use at a later date, place it in an airtight bottle or container in the fridge.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Serving the Cola

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  1. Multiply the amount of syrup by 5 to determine how much soda water to add. For example, mix 60 mL (12  tsp) of the syrup you created with 300 mL (61  tsp) of soda water to create a large glass of cola. [3]
    • Carbonated water and sparkling water also work as mixers.
  2. Mix the liquids until the cola has an even color. Stop stirring the cola once the liquids are combined, as over-mixing will cause the drink to go flat quickly. [4]
    • If you are using a thin glass, use a metal straw to stir the syrup and soda water.
  3. Cola tastes best when it is fresh, as the bubbles disappear quickly. Add 3 or 4 pieces of ice to create a cool and refreshing drink. Alternatively, enjoy the rich and undiluted flavours of the cola by itself.
    • Avoid leaving the cola in a fridge to cool, as it will lose some of its bubbles.
  4. Pour the cola into a bottle and tightly screw on the lid. This helps to minimise the number of bubbles that can escape from the cola. The cola tastes best the day you make it; however, the drink will still have some bubbles for up to 4 days. [5]
    • Clean recycled soda bottles work well for storing cola.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Will this taste like the original Pepsi?
    Emma Hall1
    Community Answer
    It won't be identical in flavour but the drink will have a similar cola flavour.
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    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 5
  • Question
    Where can you buy the ingredients? I cannot find any store online or offline that sells these ingredients.
    Emma Hall1
    Community Answer
    Search online for "essential oils for cooking", or look in a natural health/food store.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 1
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      Things You’ll Need

      • Small bowl
      • Spoon
      • Blender
      • Measuring cups and spoons
      • Glass

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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.artofdrink.com/soda/open-cola-recipe
      2. ↑ http://wiki.c2.com/?OpenCola
      3. ↑ https://www.artofdrink.com/soda/open-cola-recipe
      4. ↑ https://www.artofdrink.com/soda/open-cola-recipe
      5. ↑ https://www.stilltasty.com/Fooditems/index/18170

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to make OpenCola, or a non-copyrighted version of the popular soda, mix together a blend of flavored essential oils, including orange, lemon, nutmeg, and cassia oils. Pour this into a blender with sugar, water, citric acid, caffeine, caramel color, and food-grade gum arabic, then mix everything together for 2 minutes. Pour 1 part syrup and 5 parts soda water into a glass, then stir them together and enjoy. For the complete list of essential oils, read on!

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Michael G.

        May 12, 2020

        "My first attempt to try this out showed me that lavender should have nothing to do here. It broke the taste ..." more
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