But with no evidence demonstrating a link between the friars’ creation and the Coca-Cola recipe, Russo, who also found a couple of empty bottles that contained the potion, is erring on the side of caution. “Mr Pemberton invented his own recipe, and without alcohol … Plus at that time other people were producing this kind of medicine with coca leaves. Kola Coca, an alcoholic syrup made in 1885 by distillers in Valencia, Spain, has also been held up as a potential inspiration for Coca-Cola. Other documents found by Russo showed that the Florence friars’ concoction, the price for which ranged between 2 and 6 Italian lira – less than a cent in today’s euro currency – was wildly popular among customers. “Up until Bolivian coca leaves were banned – because by that point it was understood that cocaine was a problem more than a cure – I would say that it was one of our bestsellers.”