There's nothing quite like a glass of ice-cold Coca-Cola on a hot Summer's day, but did you know there are many other things that love coca-cola just as much as you do?
From cleaning to creating amazing treats, today we're sharing 26 uses for Coca-Cola for you to try - if you thought it was only for drinking, you're in for a treat!
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in November 2015 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in January 2019.
Recipes that use Coca-Cola
1. Coca-Cola fudge
Are you a fan of fudge? Why not try making your own! Lisa at Sweet 2 Eat Baking has a wonderfully easy recipe that uses Coca-Cola, so if you have some leftover, this could be the perfect use for it.
2. Ice cream floats
When was the last time you had an ice cream float? They're an amazing treat during Summer and will make you feel like a little kid again.
These Cherry Vanilla Coca-Cola ice cream floats are really special. You only need cherry vanilla ice cream and coca cola - or if you can't find that you can use cherry syrup and vanilla ice cream. For the recipe head to Le Creme De La Crumb.
3. Chipotle Coca-Cola Barbecue Sauce
Whilst we're thinking about Summer Foodie With Family has a wonderful recipe for some Bold Chipotle Coca-Cola Barbecue Sauce. It contains a mix of ingredients that are easily found, but for the can of chipotles in adobo, you'll have to look in Waitrose, or find a can online.
Try this with your hot dog, and you'll never want sauce from a bottle again!
4. Coca-Cola cake
Is someone's birthday coming up? If the special someone loves Coke, why not knock up this spectacular cake? Visit La Pêche Fraîche for Alexa's Birthday Cake recipe which includes Coca-Cola, chocolate, caramel and vanilla bean - all of the best ingredients! Try not to drool over your keyboard when perusing the photos.
5. Coca-Cola ham
It's not just sweet goodies that you can use coke in, try your hand at this gammon joint which calls for Coca-Cola. Featuring a maple and mustard glaze, your guests will love to know the secret ingredient for your sticky, moreish ham. Follow the instructions from At Home With Mrs M and make this Sunday's roast extra special!
6. Cherry Coke Cupcakes
It's not for everyone, but if you're partial to sweet Cherry Coke then these cupcakes are perfect for you. They have a Cherry Coke buttercream frosting and a moist sponge base. They look picture-perfect with their cherries on top! Want to make them? Nip over to Sweet 2 Eat Baking.
7. Jack & Coke cupcakes
Now for a more adult treat...
Alcoholic cupcakes - why haven't we heard of these before? Partner Coca-Cola with Jack Daniels whiskey and you've got yourself a really naughty treat - in more ways than one! You can find the recipe at Stress Baking.
8. Coca-Cola slushies
If anything screams summer, it's these Coca-Cola Slushies from The Frugal Girls. This recipe serves 2, there's no need for a machine and will be the perfect treat for a hot day!
9. Coca-Cola lollies
Still searching for something to cool you down?
Whether you call them lollies, ice pops or popsicles, A Night Owl has created these yummy looking Coke Float Popsicles which you definitely want to be eating in the summer. They look incredibly easy to do, so why don't you give it a whirl?
How to clean with Coca-Cola
10. Clean your windshield
If you've got lots of dead flies and grime on your windshield then don't worry, a bottle of Coke will soon sort it out.
Place a large towel underneath to protect the paint, grab a bottle and pour it over the glass. Wash it with a rag and then rinse - it will be like magic!
11. Remove gum from your hair
We hope it doesn't happen to you, but if you ever do find gum caught in your hair, hold off before you go snipping it off.
Instead, pour some Coke on the gum, let it sit for a few minutes and you'll be able to pick it off your hair easily.
12. Clean a burnt pot or scorched pan
So you've ruined your meal by burning the bottom and to top it all off, your pan is ruined! Don't worry, it's Coca-Cola to the rescue again. Pour a can into the pan and let it soak overnight. In the morning, all the burnt residue should have peeled off, so all you have to do is give it a quick clean.
Want more tips for cleaning burnt pans? Check out our other blog post!
13. Fade hair dye
So you saw a picture in a magazine, dyed your hair and instantly regretted it because bright green doesn't really suit your complexion. Good news, you can use Diet Coke on your hair to help to strip it out! Grab a bottle and pour it over your hair, let it sit for a while and then rinse it out - you might want to be in the shower to do this!
14. Clean grout with coca-cola
Is there no end to the wonders of Coca-Cola? We think this one is pretty special.
If you've got grimy grout in your shower then grab a clean cloth, some soap, your trusty Coca-Cola and follow the instructions at ehow.com to get it pearly white again.
15. Unclog a drain
If you leave drains clogged, they could cause real problems including flooding and even leaks!
If you have a few cans of coke lying around, you can use them to unclog your drain. Pour one can down the drain, then the next. Leave for 30 minutes, then flush with a kettle-full of boiling water. Leave for a further 5 minutes, and your drain should be running smoothly again.
For more advice, read our article on how to get hair out of drains.
16. Clean brass with coke
This one is really quite unbelievable! In a matter of minutes, Coca-Cola can clean your brass and have it looking brand new again
17. Polish pennies
Put your pennies in a dish, side by side. Pour in enough Coke to cover them, let them sit for 4 - 5 hours and flip them halfway through.
Your pennies will be super shiny and you'll never have to be embarrassed when handing them over again! This is a great activity to do with the kids.
18. Get rid of grease
Are you a messy eater? Don't be ashamed, spills and splashes happen to the best of us!
If you've spilt grease down your clothes, pour a can of Coca-Cola on the stain, then let it soak. Throw the item of clothing into the wash and wait for the stain to disappear. Rumour has it, this also works with blood stains!
19. Use Coca-Cola to remove rust
Before you go throwing that rusty old outdoor furniture away, you may want to give this ago.
Using Coke, aluminium foil, rags and water, you can get rid of annoying rust on almost anything! Check out how Emily removes rust from her bicycle, by heading to snapguide.com.
What do you have that's rusty to try this out on?
20. Clean your toilet
One of the most impressive uses for coke is making your toilet spotless.
As Coke is mildly acidic, it's great for blasting through the grime. If you're looking for a cheap cleaner then grab a bottle of Coke and complete the instructions at wikihow.com.
For advice on clogged loos, read our guide on if you can flush hair down toilets.
21. Clean your windows
All out of vinegar to get your windows sparkling? You can use Coca-Cola instead!
Pour a can over your windows then wipe it off with a damp cloth. It's a great cheap alternative to expensive window cleaners.
22. Descale your kettle
It might sound strange, but it's true. You can descale a kettle with Coca-Cola! Watch our short video to find out how it's done.
Miscellaneous uses for Coca-Cola
23. Have fun with Mentos
If you've been on the internet for a number of years, you'll probably be aware of the Diet Coke and Mento eruption - an experiment of sorts which causes Coke to spray out of its container.
Try it for yourself by checking out sciencekids.co.nz - just make sure you do it outside!
24. Soothe a sore throat with Coca-Cola
Check out this video from KiyoKee Baninibeauty, it details how you can soothe a sore throat using ginger, lemon and Coke. This is a popular remedy that started off in Hong Kong, so if you've got a sore throat then this tip is for you.
25. Get rid of bugs
If bugs are ruining your Summer fun, an easy way to get rid of them with something you're likely to have on hand during the warmer months is with coke.
The sweet smell will attract them, and the acid will kill them so you can get back to your life bug-free.
26. Make your lawn green
Supposedly, Coca-Cola can also be used to make your grass super green. It contains sugar that it can feed off to produce a luscious lawn of grass.
27. How to make paper look old with Coca-Cola
No love letter is complete without an antique touch. You can make any piece of paper look old with the help of Coke. Simply soak the sheet in a tray of Coca-Cola, leave to sit for 10 minutes, wipe off the excess liquid and gently dry in the oven until the edges start to curl.
Phew, that's a lot of uses for Coke! Which one will you try first?
excellent tips..thank you
Glad you liked them Liza, please share with all your pals!
excellent tips but if this is what coke does to rust, grease, and burnt on fat. what does it do to our bodies when drunk.
Something to think about Chris!
Just don't drink that rubbish then there will be no cans left on your table coke as a dreadful taste any way
Ah, not a fan then George?
I don't know why any one is a fan of coke . Maybe that's why there half full cans left after a party you do not find to many half empty cans of beer or bottles of wine
Are you going to bring out a book with all things you can do with all your tips I would love to know
Hi Vanda thank you! We would love to do that and we are working on a few projects at the moment so fingers crossed a book will be on the horizon.
Useful as penetrating "oil" as well to free off rusted nuts, etc.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing that tip.
Some great uses for Coke here. Thank you for including my Cherry Coke Cupcakes and the Coke Fudge. I'm digging the slushie and the ice cream cake. Some great tips, too. If you're interested, I also have Coke jello jigglers too here: http://www.sweet2eatbaking.com/cherry-coca-cola-jelly-jello-recipe/ As you've probably guessed, I'm a huge Coke fan! :lol:
Hi Lisa, thank you so much for creating it! That jelly looks absolutely delicious, I'll have to try it soon!
My goodness, some lovely ideas, but with some of them, it makes you wonder what it does to your stomach
Hi Lesley. I'm glad you enjoyed the article :) Yes, it certainly makes you wonder!
Coke works really good to clean your toilet to no harsh chemical smells just cleans that SH-- right up.
We have heard this, Raymond! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Coleen, Thank you for the tips. Do you soak the brass in coke or dab it on?
Hi June! You need to soak it.
Guess I need something else to clean my brass bathroom taps, shower fitting and shower head, toilet roll holder, light fittings, and switch surrounds. Sigh! Thought I was on to a winner... glad I read the comments.
What do you mean, Josie?
For cleaning items with limescale, buy a rust remover (without zinc) at a hardware store. It is phosphoric acid at higher concentration than in cola. Avoid wasting food. Cola is very tasty. The acid does not make past the stomach in the body.
BRILLIANT TIPS ABSOLUTELY ADORED THEM GONNA USE THEM EVERYWHERE LOL
We're glad you enjoyed them!
Do these hacks work with pepsi at all...?
Yes, many cleaning hacks that involve Coca-Cola can also work with Pepsi because they share similar ingredients, such as carbonation and acidity. So, if you're out of Coca-Cola but have Pepsi on hand, you can often use it as a substitute in cleaning tasks like removing rust or cleaning toilets.