Which soft drink was invented by pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886?

The refreshing beverage known worldwide was first concocted in 1886 by pharmacist John Stith Pemberton in Atlanta, Georgia. Initially, this distinctive-tasting syrup was intended and marketed as a patent medicine and a "temperance drink," a non-alcoholic alternative that many believed could cure various ailments, from headaches to nervous disorders. Pemberton, a former Confederate colonel who sought a remedy for his morphine addiction, experimented with different ingredients, ultimately creating a formula that would become a global phenomenon.

Pemberton brought his new syrup to Jacob's Pharmacy, where it was mixed with carbonated water and sold for five cents a glass at the soda fountain. His bookkeeper and partner, Frank M. Robinson, is credited with both naming the drink "Coca-Cola" – drawing from its original ingredients, coca leaves and kola nuts – and famously designing the iconic script logo that is still recognized today. Despite modest initial sales, averaging only about nine drinks per day in its first year, the foundation (Review) for an enduring brand was laid.

Pemberton eventually sold portions of his business, and shortly before his death in 1888, sold his remaining interest to Asa G. Candler. Candler, a shrewd businessman, recognized the drink's immense potential and transformed it from a local pharmacy tonic into a widespread commercial success through innovative marketing and distribution. This marked the true beginning of Coca-Cola's journey to becoming one of the most recognized and consumed soft drinks across the globe.