In 1865, what did Mariani wine contain?

In 1865, Mariani wine contained cocaine extracted from coca leaves. Known as Vin Mariani, the drink was created by Corsican-born French chemist Angelo Mariani and consisted of Bordeaux wine infused with coca leaves. Alcohol helped dissolve and extract cocaine compounds from the leaves.

Vin Mariani was introduced in the 1860s and marketed as a tonic that could increase energy, appetite, strength, and vitality. Its advertising campaign collected enthusiastic testimonials from politicians, artists, writers, and members of royal families. The product became one of the best-known examples of coca wine in the nineteenth century.

The amount of cocaine varied. Early Vin Mariani contained about 6 milligrams per fluid ounce, while some export versions contained about 7.2 milligrams per ounce to compete with stronger American coca drinks. The beverage also influenced John Pemberton’s French Wine Coca, a predecessor to Coca-Cola. Cocaine was later removed from coca-based beverages as medical concerns and drug restrictions grew, especially in the United States after the Harrison Narcotics Tax Act of 1914.