House Cola

Cola Syrup Ingredients:

¾ cup cracked kola nuts

1 star anise pod

10 aromatic cloves

4 cups of water

3 tablespoons of lime zest (2 -3 limes)

Half of one vanilla bean split open, but intact

2 tsp Citric acid

5 ½ cups of sugar

Instructions:

Toast kola nuts, star anise, and cloves in a pot over medium-high heat, stirring until fragrant for about 2 minutes. Add the water, lime zest, half of the vanilla bean (scrape out the pulp), citric acid and sugar.

Stir to dissolve over medium-high heat about 15 seconds. Turn the heat up high,

boil for two minutes. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 2 minutes Let cool to room temperature (about two hours). Fine mesh strain once cool. Refrigerate.

Yields 5.5 cups (44 oz)