A YouTuber known as LabCoatz claims to have successfully replicated the 139-year-old secret formula of Coca-Cola following a year-long scientific investigation.
Through the use of advanced laboratory equipment and exhaustive testing, the YouTuber produced a soda he asserts is chemically and sensorially identical to the world’s most popular soft drink.
In a viral 25-minute video published on Jan. 8, 2026, titled “Replicating Coca-Cola Perfectly (It Took Me A Year),” LabCoatz detailed his process of reverse-engineering the beverage. The creator employed mass spectrometry and gas chromatography, techniques commonly used in the food industry, to identify chemical substances within the liquid and analyze the molecular composition of the soda.
While 99% of the drink consists of standard ingredients such as sugar, phosphoric acid, caffeine, coloring, and carbonated water, the investigation focused on deciphering the “natural flavors” that constitute the company’s closely guarded secret formula, often referred to as “Merchandise 7X.”
How did the YouTuber crack Coca-Cola’s secret formula?
After analyzing commercial samples, LabCoatz identified that the flavor profile relies on a complex mixture of essential oils and additives. His investigation pinpointed specific components, including neroli, coriander, nutmeg, and cassia cinnamon.
The analysis also detected alpha-terpinene derived from a citrus base of lemon, lime, and orange. A critical breakthrough in the project involved identifying the ingredients responsible for the soda’s signature dry and astringent finish. The creator discovered that small amounts of wine tannins and vinegar were essential to achieving the specific mouthfeel.
Youtuber Labcoatz perfectly replicated Coca Cola two days ago using organic chemistry analysis and a year of research.
Coke never patented the formula (because it would involve sharing the secrets), so apparently it's perfectly ok to create or even sell this formula. pic.twitter.com/4Zn8CCM40I
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) January 11, 2026
Additionally, LabCoatz found that the original recipe likely uses a “decocainized” coca leaf extract. To replicate the terpene profile of this extract without using controlled substances, he substituted it with tea tree oil. Other ingredients identified in the “Lab-Cola” recipe included vanilla, glycerin, and trace amounts of phenol.
The scientific method
LabCoatz emphasized that having the correct ingredients was not enough to replicate the formula without the proper method. The replication process involved dissolving sugar into a base syrup and integrating the essential oils, which had been previously diluted in alcohol.
The mixture was subjected to controlled heating to prevent the degradation of volatile compounds. Finally, the syrup was carbonated with extremely cold water and left to rest in refrigeration to stabilize the flavor.
Blind taste tests conducted in the video showed that participants were unable to distinguish the homemade “Lab-Cola” from the store-bought product, with some testers even preferring the replica. LabCoatz claims his syrup is chemically strictly identical to the original.
Legal implications
The project has reignited discussions regarding the legal status of the beverage’s recipe, which is famously kept in a vault in Atlanta. Unlike a patent, which requires public disclosure in exchange for temporary exclusivity, Coca-Cola relies on trade secret protection.
Intellectual property specialists note that reverse engineering a trade secret is legal, provided the information was not obtained through illicit means such as theft or espionage.
Since its release, the video has garnered millions of views and has effectively challenged the century-long marketing mystique surrounding the formula. The Coca-Cola Company has not issued a statement regarding the claims.