Was Florentine friars’ fatigue-fighting elixir a precursor to Coca-Cola?

Document believed to be from 19th century details recipe using Bolivian coca leaves, kola nuts and wine An Italian friar has unearthed a document from the pharmacy archives of an ancient convent in Florence describing a medicinal potion made from Bolivian coca leaves and kola nuts, prompting suggestions it could have been a precursor to the famous US soft drink, Coca-Cola. Father Manuel Russo, rector of the San Marco convent, said he stumbled across the yellowed document, a sort-of promotiona...

By Angela Giuffrida in Rome