Coca-Cola was created in 1886 by pharmacist John Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. At the time, Pemberton was looking to create a new soft drink that would help him overcome his morphine addiction. He experimented with various combinations of ingredients until he came up with a formula that he believed would be a success.

The original Coca-Cola recipe included coca leaves, which contained caffeine and other stimulants, as well as vanilla and lime juice. The drink was initially marketed as a “brain tonic and intellectual beverage” that could cure headaches and relieve fatigue. It was sold at a local pharmacy and quickly gained popularity, leading Pemberton to establish the Coca-Cola Company in 1888.

In 1889, Asa Griggs Candler bought the rights to Coca-Cola and turned it into a national brand. He was instrumental in popularizing the drink through innovative marketing techniques, including the use of coupons, contests, and celebrity endorsements. Today, Coca-Cola is one of the most recognized and consumed beverages in the world, available in over 200 countries and with a wide range of flavors and variations.