This American Life found a published recipe for Coca-Cola in a 1979 edition of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. What’s really interesting is how to make the secret “7x” recipe. It calls for several different oils and most astonishingly, ALCOHOL!

(Coca-Cola apparently can’t sue for trademark infringment because it would have to reveal the actual recipe in court.)

Also “unveiled” recently was the recipe for KFC’s 11 herbs and spices, which I’m going to try soon and see how it similar it tastes. And while I’m at it, here’s the recipe for McDonald’s secret sauce. It reminds me of the scene in “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” in which Brad is training a new employee:

Brad: You got your sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce, secret sauce.
Arnold: What’s the secret sauce?
Brad: Thousand Island dressing. What’s the secret sauce at Bronco Burger?
Arnold: Ketchup and mayonnaise.
Brad: Gotcha.