We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Beverages

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Cola Flavored with?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 44,993
Share

Cola brands over the years have differed in flavorings, and most bottles simply list "artificial and natural flavors" as ingredients. Examining the original recipes for cola can give some idea of the current flavors, however. Some of the flavor likely comes from kola nuts, where the name comes from, but most of the distinctive flavors are provided by various citrus oils, vanilla, and cinnamon.

Most everyone who drinks Coca Cola® knows that early additives to Coke® included cocaine, hence the name. Cocaine does not add a strong flavor, however. By the mid 20th century, the cocaine had been dropped, and instead caffeine was added to give the drink the jolt that consumers had become adjusted to. Although the official recipe is a closely guarded secret, it is believed that extract of coca leaf, from which the cocaine has been removed, is still used in the flavoring.

Recipes from the Good Housekeeping cookbook series in the 19th century include kola nuts. Many recipes still list these bitter, caffeine-rich nuts from South America in the ingredients, but it is not known how much they are used in modern commercial recipes. A few small brands still hold to original recipes, and the result is a sharper tasting cola.

Most cola, however, uses a mix of flavorings, including vanilla, cinnamon and citrus, made into syrup. The drink gets it taste from phosphoric acid as well, which provides a more acid taste. Interestingly enough, phosphoric acid is often taken as an anti-emetic medication; this is why flat cola is sometimes recommended to help reduce vomiting.

Cola can also have flavorings added. In malt shops in the 1940s and onward, patrons could order a chocolate or cherry cola. Adding grenadine or chocolate syrup made these drinks special, and many find them superior to the versions now available. Today, many cola brands offer flavors like cherry and lemon or lime. Some find the lemon particularly refreshing; some complain that they taste too sweet.

Sweeteners can also change the taste and acidity of the drink. In the US, most regular colas are sweetened with high fructose corn syrup. Artificial sweeteners like aspartame or Splenda® can particularly change the profile of a diet drink. Since these are far sweeter than sugar, the right mix between them and the other ingredients is difficult to find. While aspartame was for a while the choice of most cola companies, many are switching to other artificial sweeteners. Not everyone is pleased with the results of the switch, however.

Various brands of cola add flavorings in different amounts, accounting for the taste differences in brands. There are loyal Coke® drinkers, as well as those who will only drink Pepsi®. Some are fans of Royal Crown®, or King Cola®.

Share
DelightedCooking is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a DelightedCooking contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.
Discussion Comments
By anon77176 — On Apr 13, 2010

I have read some accounts about people putting three to four drops of "Spirits of ammonia" in a glass of Coke to calm people down and for relaxation and sleep.

There are reports of ammoniated Coke with aspirin for treating bursitis and even bone spurs.

I have never done this only found information digging around the net. I think the main key is "spirits of ammonia" versus "Ammonia Hydroxide". I would be careful using either one! lol

Kuerno

By anon26086 — On Feb 08, 2009

no I don't think so ...why would they put ammonia in it?!

By anon18613 — On Sep 26, 2008

My Mother used to work in a drug store, many years ago, in North Carolina. She has often talked about a fountain drink called an Ammoniated Coke. She only remembers that they would put ammonia in the cola. I can't believe that they put real ammonia in a beverage. Any idea what it was?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a DelightedCooking contributor, Tricia...
Learn more
Share
https://www.delightedcooking.com/what-is-cola-flavored-with.htm
Copy this link
DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

DelightedCooking, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.