When you think of Coca-Cola, you probably picture an ice-cold glass of the world’s most famous soft drink. But behind that iconic red label is a fascinating story—and a Masonic connection.
Dr. John Stith Pemberton, the man who first created Coca-Cola, was born in 1831 in Georgia. A pharmacist by trade, he spent much of his career experimenting with new remedies and tonics. After being wounded in the Civil War, Pemberton struggled with pain and dependency on morphine. Determined to find a healthier alternative, he turned to his knowledge of chemistry and began blending natural ingredients into unique concoctions.
In 1886, he came up with a syrup made from coca leaves and kola nuts, mixing it with carbonated water. The drink debuted at Jacob’s Pharmacy in Atlanta for just five cents a glass. Customers loved it, and Coca-Cola was born.
But here’s the part many don’t know—Dr. Pemberton was also a Freemason. He was a member of Columbus Lodge No. 7 in Georgia, where he shared in the fellowship, values, and lessons of the craft. Like many men of his time, Freemasonry gave him a sense of brotherhood and purpose beyond his profession.
Though Pemberton passed away in 1888, just two years after Coca-Cola’s creation, both his invention and his Masonic legacy live on. Today, Coca-Cola is enjoyed around the world, and his story reminds us how Masons have shaped history in ways we might never expect—even in the soda fountain!
