Did you know…
The urban legend about Coca-Cola containing cocaine is real. The original formula that the company founder’s came up with contained two medicinal ingredients: coca leaf extract and kola nuts. It’s difficult to say how much cocaine was used in the formulation of the fizzy drink in the early days. After 1904, the company started using so-called spent leaves that only contain traces of cocaine. Coca-Cola eventually switched to cocaine-free coca leaf extract.
In 1886, John S. Pemberton invented the now famous beverage and wanted to expand his business. Just like Singer before him, Pemberton licensed his drink to a select group of sellers. Coca-Cola quickly became the biggest franchise in the world, at least when it comes to fizzy drinks.