# Original Coca-Cola recipe supposedly revealed **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 22, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261 "2011-02-22T18:49:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/1 "2011-02-22T18:49:32Z")
The producers of This American Life uncovered what they believed to be the original formula for Coca-Cola and made a batch. They ran an episode about it last week. > **[Original Recipe - This American Life](https://www.thisamericanlife.org/427/original-recipe)** > > We think we may have found the original recipe for Coca-Cola, one of the most guarded trade secrets in the world. Anyway here’s the recipe, should anyone want to give it a try: > [@](#): > > ``` > Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP > Citric acid: 3 oz > Caffeine: 1 oz > Sugar: 30 # > 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 oil: 5 drops > Neroli oil: 10 drops > Cinnamon oil: 10 drops > > ``` By the way does anyone know what the number sign (#) stands for in the line for sugar (Sugar: 30 #). I assume it means pounds, but that seems awfully excessive in relation to the amounts for all the other ingredients. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/2 "2011-02-22T18:55:29Z")
Yes, that’s 30 pounds. As I remember, the amount was questioned/confirmed in the TAL story. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/3 "2011-02-22T19:06:57Z")
As for the amount of sugar, a Google search indicates that a 12-oz can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar. If I’m doing the math right, that’s 3.25 grams of sugar per ounce of water, or 1040 grams for the 320 ounces in the 2.5 gallons. So I get something like about 2.2 pounds of sugar in that amount of water. But I’m amused that what they found was in a 1979 article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. So it’s not like it was buried in some archive somewhere. (And does anyone know if that 1979 article is available on the Internet anywhere?) ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/4 "2011-02-22T19:11:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > As for the amount of sugar, a Google search indicates that a 12-oz can of Coke has 39 grams of sugar. If I’m doing the math right, that’s 3.25 grams of sugar per ounce of water, or 1040 grams for the 320 ounces in the 2.5 gallons. So I get something like about 2.2 pounds of sugar in that amount of water. > > But I’m amused that what they found was in a 1979 article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. So it’s not like it was buried in some archive somewhere. (And does anyone know if that 1979 article is available on the Internet anywhere?) That’s the recipe for the _syrup_, not Coke itself. You add the syrup to carbonated water to make Coke. ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/5 "2011-02-22T19:13:43Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > But I’m amused that what they found was in a 1979 article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. So it’s not like it was buried in some archive somewhere. (And does anyone know if that 1979 article is available on the Internet anywhere?) I believe that’s one of the pay per use archives that uses Proquest. I can’t find it through google news, though. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/6 "2011-02-22T19:13:51Z")
I have to check how different this is, but Cunningham already revealed what he claims is the Coca Cola formula in his book **For God, Country, and Coca Cola** , and William Poundstone sleuthed out what he believes to be the recipe in his book **Big Secrets**. IIRC, the two tally pretty closely. Also, regarding the recently revealed recipe – it apparently comes from a notebook of an associate of Pemberton, who came up with the original Coca Cola formula. As Poundstone points out, Asa Candler reformulated it when he took over the company, probably changing one of the acids to phosphoric acid, which I note isn’t in the given recipe. The essential recipe is what has been widely known for a long time - a mixture of citrus oil, cinnamon, and vanilla. The “secret” has really been the blend of other flavors – coriander, nutmeg, neroli, and (some claim) lavender oils. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/7 "2011-02-22T19:17:02Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > That’s the recipe for the _syrup_, not Coke itself. You add the syrup to carbonated water to make Coke. OK, that explains the discrepancy. The recipe in the OP yields something like 2.75 gallons of syrup. How much carbonated water do you have to mix that with? And I’d like to try this recipe sometime. I’d be curious how it tastes compared to the regular stuff. (It has more caffeine, for one thing.) ---
**Author:** ![TravisFromOR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cc9497/32.png) [@TravisFromOR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TravisFromOR)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/8 "2011-02-22T19:17:42Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > The essential recipe is what has been widely known for a long time - a mixture of citrus oil, cinnamon, and vanilla. The “secret” has really been the blend of other flavors – coriander, nutmeg, neroli, and (some claim) lavender oils. Don’t forget the prune juice. (Or is that Dr Pepper? 😛 ) ---
**Author:** ![antonio107](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7ea924/32.png) [@antonio107](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antonio107)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/9 "2011-02-22T19:19:56Z")
> [@TravisFromOR](#): > > That’s the recipe for the _syrup_, not Coke itself. You add the syrup to carbonated water to make Coke. So is it one part syrup to…10 parts soda? 12? ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/10 "2011-02-22T19:24:39Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > And I’d like to try this recipe sometime. I’d be curious how it tastes compared to the regular stuff. (It has more caffeine, for one thing.) Good luck on finding the coca extract. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/11 "2011-02-22T19:30:20Z")
> [@antonio107](#): > > So is it one part syrup to…10 parts soda? 12? According to the [recipe](http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/427/original-recipe), one part syrup to five parts water. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/12 "2011-02-22T19:48:50Z")
[It’s not really the Coca-Cola recipe.](http://www.theatlanticwire.com/opinions/view/opinion/Cokes-Secret-Revealed-Take-the-News-With-a-Drop-of-Coriander-Oil-7013) > [@](#): > > Good luck on finding the coca extract. 😛 Now it’s the decocainized extract of coca leafs. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/13 "2011-02-22T20:50:59Z")
> **[compra-segura.com](http://www.compra-segura.com/product_info.php?ref=20&products_id=354&affiliate_banner_id=1)** > > Ayahuasca Coca Extract = it doesn’t mean what you think it does. ---
**Author:** ![Lakai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de0a6/32.png) [@Lakai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lakai)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/14 "2011-02-22T21:33:45Z")
> [@TruCelt](#): > > [http://www.compra-segura.com/product\_info.php?ref=20&products\_id=354&affiliate\_banner\_id=1](http://www.compra-segura.com/product_info.php?ref=20&products_id=354&affiliate_banner_id=1) > > Coca Extract = it doesn’t mean what you think it does. There are different ways get coca extract. The extract in your link obviously doesn’t include cocaine. That’s not what the Coca-Cola company uses. From [Snopes](http://www.snopes.com/cokelore/formula.asp): > [@](#): > > At least one of the ingredients called for in the recipe would be next to impossible to secure in the U.S. (or to bring into the country): decocainized flavor essence of the coca leaf. As it now stands, only Stepan Co.'s New Jersey plant possesses the necessary DEA permit to import the leaves and remove the cocaine from them. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/15 "2011-02-22T21:41:46Z")
The Coca Leaf extract isn’t really important. The whole point of the “cola” flavoring was to cover up the bitterness of the caffeine and the coca extract. Without the coca leaf extract (which is lacking the bitter part, since it’s de-cocanized), there shouldn’t be much difference. Since the Cola extract has little to do with the flavor, the fact that all the other “Cola” beverages taste a lot like Coca Cola ought to be pretty persuasive proof that the basic recipe has been known to a lot of people for a long time – Not just Pepsi and RC, but also all those smaller companies and independent bottlers (we had one in my home town) knew it as well. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [February 22, 2011, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/16 "2011-02-22T22:20:17Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > I have to check how different this is, but Cunningham already revealed what he claims is the Coca Cola formula in his book **For God, Country, and Coca Cola** , and William Poundstone sleuthed out what he believes to be the recipe in his book **Big Secrets**. IIRC, the two tally pretty closely. For God, Country and Coca-Cola is by Mark Pendergrast, published in 1993. Here’s his version, taken from a notbook belonging to John Pemberton, who developed the original formla. > [@](#): > > Citrate Caffein 1 oz. > Ext. Vanilla 1 oz. > Flavoring 2 1/2 oz. > F. E. Coco 4 oz. > Citric Acid 3 oz. > Lime Juice 1 Qt. > Sugar 30 lb. > Water 2 1/2 gal > Caramel sufficient > > Mix Caffeine acid and Lime Juice in 1 Qt. boiling water add vanilla and flavoring when cool. > > Flavoring > > Oil orange 80 drops > Oil Lemon 120 drops > Oil Nutmeg 40 crops > Oil Cinnamon 40 drops > Oil Coriander 20 drops > Oil Neroli 40 drops > Alcohol 1 Qt. > let stand for 24 hours. Compare to the other version > [@](#): > > Fluid extract of Coca: 3 drams USP > Citric acid: 3 oz > Caffeine: 1 oz > Sugar: 30 # > 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 oil: 5 drops > Neroli oil: 10 drops > Cinnamon oil: 10 drops You need to multiply the flavoring by 4 to see that it’s the same. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/17 "2011-02-23T21:29:12Z")
Now, if only someone could tell us what’s in Dr Pepper. ---
**Author:** ![sitchensis](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sitchensis/32/4892_2.png) [@sitchensis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sitchensis)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2011, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/18 "2011-02-23T22:17:42Z")
I read in an Uncle John’s Bathroom reader about an original version of the Dr Pepper recipe being found in a diary purchased in an antique store. The article never printed the recipe and left off with saying that the diary was going to be auctioned off. ---
**Author:** ![Jeff\_Lichtman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeff_lichtman/32/1531_2.png) [@Jeff\_Lichtman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jeff_Lichtman)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/19 "2011-02-24T01:37:35Z")
One difference between the formula and today’s Coke is that the formula uses citric acid, while modern Coke uses phosphoric acid. I heard a program on NPR where they took the formula to the Jones Soda Company and had them mix a batch. They said it was pretty bad - that the flavor was extremely fruity. Then someone realized that the oils and extracts are probably a lot purer today than they were in Pemberton’s time. They adjusted the formula ro reduce the proportion of oils and extracts and came up with something they said tasted almost like today’s Coke. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2011, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261/20 "2011-02-24T01:54:02Z")
I wonder if the program you heard on NPR was the episode of _This American Life_ mentioned in the OP. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/original-coca-cola-recipe-supposedly-revealed/572261.md?page=2)