Coca-Cola is one of the strongest brands in the world, and its Atlanta-based corporation reaps an annual revenue stream of over $40 billion (on sales of 2.2 billion drinks per day).
The drink was invented in 1886 by Dr. John Pemberton, based on a recipe suggested by his bookkeeper, Frank Robinson, who also created the now-famous logo.
Coca-Cola was first sold to the public at Jacob’s Pharmacy on May 8, 1886. The following year, Asa Chandler bought the formula for $2,300 and began the advertising campaign that led to Coca-Cola becoming the dominant soft drink in the world.
Until 1905, it contained coca extract as well extract of kola nut (which provided the original source of caffeine). With the added jolt of coca leaf extract along with the caffeine, the original drink probably put today’s energy drinks to shame. Although the recipe has been one of the world’s most closely-guarded secrets for 125 years, the secret was eventually revealed.
It seems the original formula inked in a friend of Pemberton’s own handwriting was photographed by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 1979, and that photograph was eventually uncovered. The recipe has changed many times over the years: the biggest change being the current use of GMO corn syrup in place of the original cane sugar. Those wishing to achieve something closer to the original taste prefer the brand produced in Mexico, as it is made with beet or cane sugar and contains zero high-fructose corn syrup.
The real “secret” in the recipe, however, is the balance of essential plant oils, which have been tweaked several times since the original formula. The “7X flavor” is a blend of citrus oils with cinnamon, coriander and other essential plant oils. Lime juice and vanilla are also essential ingredients.
After this recipe was recently discovered, some researchers whipped up a batch (including some de-cocainized coca leaf) and some of those sampling the result had trouble distinguishing it from a real Coke, which leads to the conclusion this may very well be the actual original recipe finally uncovered.
The original recipe:
Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP
Citric acid: 3 oz
Caffeine: 1 oz
Sugar: 30 (unclear quantity)
Water: 2.5 gal
Lime juice: 2 pints, 1 quart
Vanilla: 1 oz
Caramel: 1.5 oz or more for color
The secret 7X flavor (use 2 oz of flavor to 5 gals syrup):
Alcohol: 8 oz
Orange oil: 20 drops
Lemon oil: 30 drops
Nutmeg oil: 10 drops
Coriander: 5 drops
Neroli: 10 drops
Cinnamon: 10 drops
But, as we know today, the original recipe was tweaked a few times over the years. So what’s in today’s coke? The answer was finally cracked by Zach Armstrong, who released a video outlining his search for the truth on YouTube channel LabCoatz.
Armstrong spent a year reverse-engineering the formula using sophisticated chemical analysis, including mass spectrometry with the help of fellow science YouTubers. His findings identify the key components of the drink’s “natural flavors” are tiny amounts of lemon, lime, orange, cassia, cinnamon, tea tree, fenchal (fennel), nutmeg, and coriander.
Secret Tweaks: Tiny amounts of wine tannins (to replace the coca leaf extract), vanilla extract, and vinegar were the missing pieces required to achieve the drink’s signature sharp taste.
His 25-minute video, titled “Perfectly Replicating Coca-Cola (It Took Me a Year),” went viral upon its release on January 9, 2026.
Armstrong’s recipe:
