180 ml (approx. 3/4 cup) Dark honey (forest or chestnut recommended)
Zest of 4 limes (avoid the white pith)
Juice of 2–4 limes
10 g Fresh cilantro leaves (finely chopped)
1–2 tbsp Brown sugar (optional, for deeper flavor)
500 ml per serving Carbonated water/sparkling water
Instructions
Prep: Finely chop cilantro and zest the limes (only the green part).
Muddle: In a mortar, gently crush the lime zest, chopped cilantro, and lime juice together to release the oils. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
Caramelize Honey: In a saucepan, heat the honey with 1 tbsp of water over medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes until it darkens and smells slightly nutty/burnt.
Infuse Syrup: Stir the lime-cilantro mixture into the warm honey. Remove from heat and let it infuse for 15–20 minutes.
Strain & Cool: Strain the mixture to remove solids and let the syrup cool in the fridge.
Serve: Mix 30–40 ml of the syrup into 500 ml of cold sparkling water.
Tips for Success
Remove Wax: Scrub limes with baking soda and warm water to remove wax before zesting.
Better Caramelization: Heat the honey until it turns a deep golden brown to get that distinct cola flavor.
Carbonation: Use a SodaStream for maximum bubbles, or use fresh store-bought sparkling water.