This week in 1886: Coca-Cola on sale for the first time at Atlanta pharmacies, formula is most iconic drink in the world still a well-kept secret today

Doctor and pharmacist John Pemberton invented an alcohol-free alternative 136 years ago to his Pemberton’s French Wine Coca, an alcoholic drink based on the Vin Mariani, very popular in Europe at the time. The result was first sold on May 8, 1886, at Jacob’s Pharmacy, an Atlanta apothecary, for 5 cents a glass. Coca Cola was born.

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