Coca-cola

Close the bottle tightly and refrigerate it; it tastes freshest and stays fizzy for about two to three days. A can is best finished soon after opening, as it loses its fizz quickly.

You can, but leave plenty of room in the container: the liquid expands as it freezes, and a sealed bottle or can may split. Thaw it in the fridge; it will usually be much less fizzy.

Use it in a cola cake or as part of a sticky glaze for ham or barbecue ribs. For a glaze, simmer it with ingredients such as soy sauce, mustard or vinegar until reduced and syrupy, then brush it on near the end of cooking so the sugars do not burn.

It works with lime in a simple non-alcoholic drink, or with rum and lime in a Cuba Libre. Add it just before serving to keep the drink fizzy.

Regular Coca-Cola contains caffeine, though caffeine-free versions are also sold. Check the can or bottle if you need to know which one you have.

Coca-Cola Light has 0.1 g of carbohydrate per 100 g, compared with 11 g in Coca-Cola.

Yes. Use the same amount of another cola soft drink in a cake, marinade or glaze; the sweetness and flavour may differ slightly, so taste the mixture before reducing it.