YouTuber LabCoatz claims to have recreated Coca-Cola secret formula after scientific testing
While listed ingredients are publicly known, the composition of Coca Cola’s “natural flavours” has remained a mystery
A YouTuber has claimed to recreate Coca-Cola’s closely guarded formula after spending a year analysing the drink using scientific equipment and chemical testing.
LabCoatz, a science and engineering content creator, published a video outlining what they describe as a “perfectly” recreated version of Coca-Cola, drawing widespread attention online. Within three days of its release, the video amassed more than 2 million views, becoming the channel’s most watched upload to date.
Coca-Cola has existed for more than a century, and while its listed ingredients are publicly available, the composition of its so-called “natural flavours” has remained a mystery. According to long-standing folklore, only two employees are aware of the full formula at any one time. LabCoatz set out to challenge that secrecy by “studying literally every aspect of the drink” over an extended period.
The creator said the investigation focused on isolating the components behind the “natural flavours” label. Their research suggested these flavours largely derive from cocaine-free coca extract. An attempt to import the extract into the United States was reportedly unsuccessful, forcing the experiment back to its early stages.
LabCoatz then collaborated with specialists using mass spectrometers, devices capable of breaking down liquids into individual chemical signatures. The data provided a baseline from which the YouTuber conducted months of repeated testing and adjustments in an effort to match Coca-Cola’s taste and composition.
After nearly a year, LabCoatz described a breakthrough moment and released a detailed recipe, claiming the resulting drink is chemically identical to Coca-Cola. The process, however, requires specialised equipment and precise measurements, making it impractical for casual replication.
Addressing potential legal concerns, LabCoatz noted that Coca-Cola’s recipe has never been patented. As a result, recreating a version of the drink does not breach intellectual property law, even if the formula itself remains officially undisclosed.
