parks
Communist scientists built a Cold War cola to beat Coke. It’s still a hit — along with these 7 other global rivals
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· July 17, 2026
· 6 min read
By Mike Dunphy, CNN
(CNN) — When American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton reached his eureka moment on May 8, 1886, his formula for what would become Coca-Cola sparked a global soft drink revolution that still reverberates today.
In fact, it’s now possible to “buy the world a Coke,” as the 19...
Key takeaway What’s actually in this formula is a secret recipe of 14 herbal and fruit extracts, plus caffeine, created during the Cold War in then Czechoslovakia.
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Category: parks ·
Published: July 17, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Mike Dunphy, CNN
(CNN) — When American pharmacist John Stith Pemberton reached his eureka moment on May 8, 1886, his formula for what would become Coca-Cola sparked a global soft drink revolution that still reverberates today.
In fact, it’s now possible to “buy the world a Coke,” as the 19...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 17, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more parks coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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