How Coca-Cola’s Secret Formula Has Changed Over Time

Key Takeaways:

• Sweetener evolution: The 1886 recipe relied on cane sugar, whereas today’s Coca-Cola is sweetened with high fructose corn syrup.
• Flavor & additives shift: The original blend featured coca leaf extract (with cocaine until 1903) and kola nuts, with no listed preservatives; the modern formula uses “natural flavors,” phosphoric acid for acidity, caramel color, and includes 75 mg of sodium per 591 mL.
• Nutritional profile (per 591 mL): Today’s Coke packs 65 g of added sugars and 240 calories, whereas the original sugar content and calorie count weren’t precisely recorded.

“I have been speaking to Coca-Cola about using real cane sugar in Coke in the United States, and they have agreed to do so… It’s just better!” - Donald Trump