Vin Mariani

Vin Mariani advertising.

Vin Mariani was a drink containing Bordeaux wine and coca leaf extracts. It was created in 1863 by Angelo Mariani (inspired by the "elixir de coca Lorini" created in 1860), who promoted it by attributing a large number of therapeutic properties to it. The drink enjoyed great popularity among European artists and intellectuals of the time. Some claim that Popes Pius X and Leo XIII were especially enthusiastic about the tonic.

Pharmacological action

The mixture of ethyl alcohol and cocaine contained in the drink produced a stimulating effect on the central nervous system similar to that of cocaine alone, but which was enhanced by the generation in the liver of a third compound called ethylenecocaine, a product of the reaction between a metabolite of cocaine and ethanol.