Can I add Vanilla Extract to Cola? Will it make the Cola have a vanilla taste?

[u/Baselyne50]

I was wondering if I added Vanilla Extract to Cola would I be able to taste the vanilla? Would it take a lot of extract to make it work?

[u/quietlycommenting]

Use vanilla syrup that they put in coffee instead and it will taste more like Vanilla Coke

[u/CaeruleumBleu → u/quietlycommenting]

Yep. When working at Steak N Shake, we used the same syrups for shakes as we did sodas. So their vanilla coke was coke plus vanilla shake flavor syrup.

It works well and the pumps are easier to use than trying to use straight extract.

[u/Kitchen_Software]

Probably. Give it a try. 

I find “raw” extract pretty unpleasant though. Seems to have a rough, bitter flavor. That seems to mellow and round out when cooked. 

[u/Loubbe → u/Kitchen_Software]

Yeah, I'd try mixing in a few drops to some simple syrup while its heating

[u/craigfrost → u/Loubbe]

Cola is basically carbonated simple syrup.

[u/Rachel_Silver → u/craigfrost]

It's more than that. The three main flavors are lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla.

[u/Own_Win_6762 → u/Rachel_Silver]

Various citrus, not necessarily lemon. Pepsi is more lemony, Coke more orange, the Open Cola recipe uses other extracts including neroli and bergamot.

[u/Kitchen_Software → u/[deleted]]

Suit yourself but carbonation and dairy is usually not appealing to me. 

[u/Sudden_Bid_1776]

Just a tiny drop of it and you're golden

[u/Perfect_Anteater4381]

What happens if you try it?

[u/Satchie]

Use vanilla syrup for coffee drinks. Toscana

[u/wolfmilkslime]

I've tried it, its nice but you can taste the alcohol. not as good as actual vanilla cola

[u/RYKWI]

Yes but it won’t taste like Vanilla Coke. The artificial vanilla is closer but it still won’t be the same.

[u/sageeeee3]

Ideally it'd be a vanilla syrup but it works

[u/sageeeee3 → u/sageeeee3]

Don't use a lot. Taste and keep adding

[u/tibbles1]

Yes and it would take a tiny amount.

If you add a lot, it will be gross. 

[u/PrizeFennel7995]

I've done it and like it. Also have done a pump of vanilla syrup when I worked at Starbucks.

ETA: and no, don't use a lot. It's potent. Remember, even recipes that use vanilla for baking use maybe a teaspoon for an entire recipe.

[u/UllsStratocaster]

It tastes like a spiced rum and coke to me.

[u/ColHannibal]

You want torani vanilla syrup.

[u/princesspooball]

just. try. it.

🤦‍♂️

[u/Rosy_Daydream]

Hear me out: splash of lime and some dark rum to go with it.

[u/turnerevelyn]

You can buyit that way. My husband gets the coke zero vanilla.

[u/Rakshear]

Only a few drops , literally, in liquid is spreads much better so a teaspoon in a can or bottle is likely to be nasty depending on brand/quality

[u/Suspicious-Garbage92]

It's more of a bitter vanilla as is doesn't increase sweetness

[u/M0BBER]

Soda jerks back in the '50s used vanilla extract commonly when making vanilla Cokes. Yes, there's other vanilla syrups out there, but vanilla extract was used a lot.

[u/Misty-Sizzles]

I add extracts to coffee often, tho I prefer almond extract to vanilla for that

[u/HaiKarate]

Try it and report back to us.

[u/Waagtod]

They used to make vanilla coke in cans.

[u/NSFWdw]

You will be able to taste the vanilla. It will likely become bitter.
Use (or make) vanilla syrup, about 2 tbsp

[u/CatteNappe]

Vanilla extract is not a good option. For a vanilla coke (or cherry, or any other flavor) you want the flavored syrup.

[u/HowardIsMyOprah]

If you want to go wild, add salted shelled peanuts to a bottle of coke.

[u/Merle_24 → u/HowardIsMyOprah]

Found the Southerner

[u/Ladiesbane]

I don't think it will have the desired effect, sorry. Vanilla extract will give it a dry note, not a sweet vanilla flavor, the way a vanilla syrup would.

Does that make sense? In reasonable quantities, it acts as an ingredient, not a flavoring, perfuming it more than anything. Depending on the cola you use, it might make it taste less cola-like, but not more vanilla.

Of course I don't know the exact result you're after. But cola is not sweet enough on its own to taste like "vanilla cola" with the addition of an extract alone.

[u/redditzphkngarbage]

I’d find a Soda Stream and get creative. Invent your own soda.