{"id":"kofola_b1c75f3da4","slug":"homemade-kofola-style-botanical-cola","title":"Homemade Kofola-Style Botanical Cola","description":"A refreshing, caffeine-infused herbal soda with deep notes of caramel, licorice, and citrus, inspired by the iconic Eastern European soft drink.","serves":10,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":15},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"300g granulated sugar","name":"Granulated Sugar","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1 1/2","usUnit":"cup","form":"granulated","notes":"for caramel base","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"250ml water","name":"Water","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"hot","group":"Syrup Base","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"30g ground coffee","name":"Coffee","quantity":30,"unit":"g","usQuantity":"1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"finely ground","notes":"dark roast preferred","group":"Botanicals","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 cinnamon stick","name":"Cinnamon Stick","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"stick","notes":"","group":"Botanicals","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"2 pieces star anise","name":"Star Anise","quantity":2,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Botanicals","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"5 whole cloves","name":"Cloves","quantity":5,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":5,"usUnit":"piece","form":"whole","notes":"","group":"Botanicals","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"1 tsp powdered licorice root","name":"Licorice Root","quantity":5,"unit":"g","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"tsp","form":"powdered","notes":"can substitute with a piece of dried root","group":"Botanicals","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"1 lemon, zested and juiced","name":"Lemon","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"zest and juice","notes":"","group":"Flavoring","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"1 orange, zested and juiced","name":"Orange","quantity":1,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"piece","form":"zest and juice","notes":"","group":"Flavoring","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"2 liters carbonated water","name":"Carbonated water","quantity":2,"unit":"l","usQuantity":2.1,"usUnit":"qt","form":"carbonated","notes":"chilled","group":"Serving","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the 300g (1 1/2 cups) sugar over medium heat without stirring until it turns a deep amber caramel color. Be careful not to burn it.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, melt the 300g sugar","timerMinutes":10,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"Carefully pour in 250ml (1 cup) of hot water. The caramel will seize; continue to heat and stir until it dissolves completely into a syrup.","group":"Syrup Preparation","title":"Carefully pour in 250ml of hot water","timerMinutes":5,"sourceTitle":"Syrup Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Add the ground coffee, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, licorice root, and the zest/juice of the lemon and orange. Bring to a very gentle simmer and cook for 15 minutes.","group":"Infusion","title":"Add the ground coffee, cinnamon stick, star anise, cloves, licorice root","timerMinutes":15,"sourceTitle":"Infusion"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature, approx 70°F (21°C). Strain the syrup through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bottle.","group":"Finishing","title":"Remove from heat and let cool","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Finishing"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"To serve, mix 1 part botanical syrup with 4-5 parts chilled carbonated water. Stir gently and serve over ice.","group":"Serving","title":"To serve, mix 1 part botanical syrup","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Serving"}],"notes":"For the best flavor, use high-quality whole spices. The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks and mixed with carbonated water as needed.","cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Czech","Slovak"]},"course":["appetizer"],"cookingMethod":["simmer"],"equipment":["saucepan","fine mesh sieve","glass bottle"],"diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free"],"allergens":[],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":2.5,"unit":"l","note":"total volume after dilution"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"Prepare the syrup base and store in a sealed bottle in the fridge."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store syrup in the refrigerator. Do not store mixed with carbonated water as it will go flat.","reheatingNotes":"Serve chilled."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fkofola_b1c75f3da4%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=67cc5ce9-b348-424d-9e84-52c009097637","imageAlt":"Homemade Kofola-Style Botanical Cola — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["kofola","homemade soda","herbal drink","botanical beverage","eastern europe","cola"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Homemade Kofola-Style Botanical Cola","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T05:50:02.043Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T05:50:02.043Z","related":[{"id":"limonada_90a60e65ae","slug":"lemonade-limonada","title":"Lemonade (Limonadă)","description":"A refreshing, classic Eastern European style lemonade, perfectly balancing the zesty tartness of fresh lemons with the sweetness of sugar or honey.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Romanian"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegan","vegetarian","gluten_free","dairy_free","low_fat"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Flimonada_90a60e65ae%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=d7c2befe-e072-4487-8949-47985c73775e","imageAlt":"Lemonade (Limonadă) — recipe cover","tags":["lemonade","refreshing","citrus","cold drink","summer"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":5,"stepCount":4},{"id":"oblozeny_chlebicek_70f14fca7e","slug":"oblozeny-chlebicek-czech-open-faced-sandwiches","title":"Obložený Chlebíček (Czech Open-Faced Sandwiches)","description":"A traditional Eastern European party snack featuring layers of creamy potato salad, folded ham, hard-boiled eggs, and pickles on soft white bread slices.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":20,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":30},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Czech"]},"course":["appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["nut_free"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Foblozeny_chlebicek_70f14fca7e%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=ddf00d82-3108-4d47-8c49-cdfc0ff733ee","imageAlt":"Obložený Chlebíček (Czech Open-Faced Sandwiches) — recipe cover","tags":["czech","open-faced","sandwich","party-food","snack","traditional"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":8,"stepCount":5},{"id":"smazeny_syr_791fa204b0","slug":"smazeny-syr-fried-cheese","title":"Smažený sýr (Fried Cheese)","description":"A beloved Czech comfort food staple featuring thick slices of breaded cheese, fried until golden and gooey. Traditionally served with tartar sauce and fries.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":10,"totalMinutes":20,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Eastern European","specific":["Czech"]},"course":["main","appetizer"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fsmazeny_syr_791fa204b0%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=aa9f5d1e-8460-4b65-892c-02625b0c4b7d","imageAlt":"Smažený sýr (Fried Cheese) — recipe cover","tags":["fried cheese","czech cuisine","vegetarian snack","street food","comfort food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":5}]}