<P> Coca - Cola , or Coke ( also Pemberton 's Cola at certain Georgian vendors ) , is a carbonated soft drink produced by The Coca - Cola Company . Originally intended as a patent medicine , it was invented in the late 19th century by John Pemberton and was bought out by businessman Asa Griggs Candler , whose marketing tactics led Coca - Cola to its dominance of the world soft - drink market throughout the 20th century . The drink 's name refers to two of its original ingredients : coca leaves , and kola nuts ( a source of caffeine ) . The current formula of Coca - Cola remains a trade secret , although a variety of reported recipes and experimental recreations have been published . </P>
where does the coca cola name come from
to two of its original ingredients : coca leaves , and kola nuts