Coca cola is an American carbonated soft drink produced by the coca cola company in atlanta , georgio , United states . Originally intended as a patent medicine , it was invented in the late 19th century by John pemberton.coca cola was bought out by businessman asa grigs candler, whose marketing tactics led coke to its dominance of the world soft drink market throughout the 20th century . The drinks name refers to two of its original ingredients , which were kola nuts ( a source of caffeine ) and coca leaves . The current formula of coca cola remains a trade secret , although a variety of reported recepies and experimental recreations have been published .