In the latter half of the 19th century, a concoction known as Vin Mariani burst onto the European scene, capturing the attention and endorsement of society’s elite, including none other than Pope Leo XIII. This coca wine, which contained cocaine extracted from coca leaves, was crafted by French chemist Angelo Mariani and became a staple for its purported health benefits.
One of the most notable endorsements came from Pope Leo XIII, who not only awarded Angelo Mariani with a Vatican gold medal but also featured in a poster endorsing the beverage. The Pope’s fondness for Vin Mariani was so profound that he reportedly carried a hip flask of the wine for personal fortification, “in the moments when prayer was insufficient.”
This approval by such a high religious authority is startling in today’s context, given the modern classification of cocaine as a narcotic. Yet, during its time, Vin Mariani was lauded for its medicinal properties, claimed to restore health, strength, energy, and vitality. It was not uncommon for tonics of the era to contain such stimulants, and Vin Mariani was among the most celebrated, with admirers ranging from creatives like Thomas Edison to leaders such as U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant and French Prime Minister Jules Méline.
The influence of Vin Mariani stretched beyond health claims and social circles; it also inspired the creation of Coca-Cola. American pharmacist John S. Pemberton, eager to mimic the successful French concoction, developed a coca wine called Pemberton’s French Wine Coca. However, with the advent of prohibition in Fulton County, Georgia, he reformulated his product into a non-alcoholic version, thus birthing the now-famous Coca-Cola brand.
Interestingly, after Angelo Mariani’s death, Vin Mariani vanished from the market, taking its secret recipe to the grave. However, in a twist of historical revivalism, the brand was relaunched in 2014, offering modern consumers a taste of the past, albeit without the controversial cocaine content.
Relevant articles:
– The Intriguing Tale of Pope Leo XIII’s Endorsement of Cocaine-Infused Vatican Gold Medal Wine, Mar 22, 2023
– Vin Mariani, the 19th-Century Cocaine-Infused Wine, Imbibed and Endorsed by Presidents, Popes & Writers, September 8th, 2023