Who Invented Coca-Cola? Distillery In Spain Says It Created Coke

People all over the world may drink it every day, but Coca-Cola feels as American as apple pie.

However, a new origin story of the famous soda has been making the rounds, causing many to think the original recipe might have originated in Europe.

A tiny distillery, Destilerías Ayelo, in Aielo de Malferit, a small village in eastern Spain, is claiming that the original recipe lays inside a safe there, reports El Pais, Spain's largest newspaper.

El Pais first reported the distillery's story on May 24 but the Atlanta-based Coca-Cola officially refuted those claims on Monday.

“This story from Spain comes up every few years. There is well-documented evidence that John Pemberton invented the secret formula for Coca-Cola in 1886," a company spokesperson told TODAY Food.

So where did the popular soda originate? Atlanta pharmacist John S. Pemberton is credited with inventing the original syrup (in 1886), which he brought to his neighborhood pharmacy to mix with carbonated water, according to Coca-Cola's official history site.

Despite Pemberton's death in 1888, the bearded inventor has his "own" Twitter account, where he sometimes reminds us of the #TrueStory behind Coke:

A lot of things are better now than in the 1890s, but @CocaCola isn't one of them because I'd already invented it by then. #TrueStory

— Doc Pemberton (@docpemberton) September 12, 2014

Regarding the latest claims, Pemberton's Twitter has been silent on the issue, and in fact, hasn't been active since 2015.

Interesting technological advancement. Call me when you achieve deliciousness. #VR=#VeryRefreshing pic.twitter.com/oeNs1uL5TX

— Doc Pemberton (@docpemberton) August 27, 2015

However, as recently as 2011, rumors resurfaced about Coke's invention at the Spanish distillery, according to Public Radio International.

The distillery says its invention, Kola-coca, was the precursor to Coca-Cola's syrup, and that one of its first founders traveled to Philadelphia in 1885, a year before Pemberton's drink hit the market, El Pais reports.

Recognition, is the only thing the distillers are asking for, El Pais added, not money. Some also believe Coca-Cola bought the brand off the distillery years ago, according to the New York Post.

At least one Twitter user seemed to cast doubt on the claim dispute, questioning the spelling of the drink and long passage of time.

Piffle; it's writ bassackwards and is not even SPELLED the same. And they JUST NOW realized in Aielo de Malferit that Coca-Cola exists. Moreover... no philologist, but doesn't 'mal-ferit' mean 'evil-doing'? Q.E.D. pic.twitter.com/4ilD4gckk8

— WPWAM (@WillauerProsky) May 30, 2018

Extracts from coca leaves and kola nuts are reportedly two of the main flavorings in cola drinks traditionally, which may explain the similarity in names.

Pemberton's partner and bookkeeper, Frank M. Robinson, is credited with coming up with the name "Coca-Cola," as well as the distinctive script-style font.

Like many iconic foods and drinks, Coca-Cola's origins are so steeped in legend, that they only seem to grow wilder with the passage of time. We may never know all the details — and we will almost certainly never know the secret recipe.