Lime Cola

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 02/1/22
Lime Cola Non-alcoholic Mixed Drink

The Spruce / S&C Design Studios
Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 drink
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
151 Calories
1g Fat
42g Carbs
1g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 151
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 11mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 42g 15%
Dietary Fiber 4g 14%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 48mg 241%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 1mg 5%
Potassium 185mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

If you're looking for a refreshing drink with a jolt of caffeine, this recipe for lime cola will fit the bill. The combination of sweet and tart with a bit of fizz is the perfect beverage on a hot summer's day, especially when you don't want a cocktail. This lime cola mocktail, which mixes cola with lime juice, is simple to prepare and is sure to satisfy. 

Freshly squeezed lime juice is best for this recipe, and you can use either key limes, which are more acidic, or Persian limes, which are the variety most commonly found in the grocery store. When squeezing fresh limes, you'll get the most yield out of them by following a few tricks, such as bringing the fruit to room temperature and rolling it on the counter before cutting it in half and juicing.

This is a nice and easy mocktail that can be served to the teens at a summer party; if you're offering cocktails to the adults, the perfect accompaniment is a Cuba libre.

 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice

  • 1 cup cola, or to taste

  • Lime wedge, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Pour the lime juice into a highball glass filled with ice.

  3. Top with the cola and stir.

  4. Garnish with a lime wedge. Serve and enjoy.

Can I Use Bottled Lime Juice?

Bottled lime juice is convenient, but it is not a good substitute for freshly squeezed juice in this recipe for several reasons. Bottled lime juice does not have the same bright taste as fresh lime juice. Because a lot of the original lime flavor gets lost in the pasteurization process, it tends to have a "canned," flat, and sometimes bitter taste. It also contains preservatives that give it an "off" flavor. Also, some bottled lime juices contain sweeteners.

Recipe Variation

Another option for adding lime flavor to cola is lime cordial, which you can buy or make yourself from scratch. However, since cordial is a type of syrup, it has a high sugar content, and it will make the drink sweeter. Cola brands vary in the amount of sugar they contain, so check the bottle or go by taste. If using a very sweet cola, start with only a spritz of lime cordial and taste it before adding more. 

Tip

If you find yourself with too many limes that may go bad before you can use them, you can save the juice to use later. Squeeze the fruit and freeze the juice in ice cube trays, about a tablespoon in each mold. After the juice is solidly frozen, take the cubes out of the tray and store them in a quart-sized freezer bag or container for a few months. Even after thawing, the juice has a much better taste than bottled lime juice. And it doubles as an ice cube to chill your cola.

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