The Truth About Dr Pepper's Blend Of 23 Flavors - Mashed (2024)

The Truth About Dr Pepper's Blend Of 23 Flavors - Mashed (1)

Joe Raedle/Getty Images

ByMolly Harris/

There's something different about cracking open a cold can of Dr Pepper. From the fizz buzzing to the unique scent, fans of the soft drink know all 23 flavors are about to hit their taste buds with a sweet and peppery kick. But there's more to the signature taste and smell of the classic soda than simply striving for complexity and balance.

Dr Pepper was invented in 1885 by Charles Alderton,a pharmacist in Waco, Texas. Noticing that customers loved how the soda fountain inside the drug store where he worked smelled sweet, Alderton decided to create a drink that imitated that soda fountain scent and flavor. While the aroma of the old-fashioned soda fountain might have been the inspiration behind the drink's taste, a blend of other kinds of soda aren't exactly the 23 flavors that give Dr Pepper its unique taste. To find out exactly what those ingredients are, you'd have to break into the vault that holds the recipe, currently located inside the Dr Pepper Snapple Group headquarters in Plano, Texas (via Thrillist).

The 23 flavors that make up Dr Pepper are top-secret

The Truth About Dr Pepper's Blend Of 23 Flavors - Mashed (2)

George Frey/Getty Images

When you think of what Dr Pepper tastes like, and what we know other soda flavors are flavored to taste like, you might be surprised by the flavors people believe make up the drink's profile. According to The Daily Meal, mega fans of Dr Pepper believe the 23 flavors are (in alphabetical order) amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, caramel, carrot, clove, cherry, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, tomato, and vanilla. So, the peppery kick that the soda has might come from pepper itself, but it could also be helped along by black licorice, clove, ginger, and root beer to give Dr Pepper the more subtle spice it has.

Whether you agree with the public consensus on Dr Pepper's flavors or not, you should definitely pick up a bottle and try to decipher it yourself for the fun of it. You might be surprised at what flavors your palate finds hidden within the soda's proprietary secret blend.

Recommended

The Truth About Dr Pepper's Blend Of 23 Flavors - Mashed (2024)

FAQs

The Truth About Dr Pepper's Blend Of 23 Flavors - Mashed? ›

However, Dr Pepper superfans have done their best to crack the code, and according to Mashed, the best approximation of the flavors is amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, caramel, carrot, clove, cherry, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, ...

What is the truth behind Dr Pepper? ›

A theory often cited is that the drink was named after an actual doctor, one Charles T. Pepper of Rural Retreat, Virginia. Morrison may have named the drink after the doctor in gratitude for Pepper having given Morrison his first job.

Why does Dr Pepper have 23 on the can? ›

A signature blend of 23 flavors makes every sip of Dr Pepper truly unique. There's nothing like a Dr Pepper.

What is the secret ingredient in Dr Pepper? ›

The recipe of 23 ingredients is a closely guarded secret, but there have been plenty of rumours speculating on what it could contain, including prune juice. However, ​​the company's own website plainly states: 'Dr Pepper is a unique blend of natural and artificial flavors; it does not contain prune juice. '

How many fruit flavors are in the blend that results in Dr Pepper? ›

A unique sparkling blend of 23 fruit flavours, Dr Pepper has that distinctive flavour you just can't quite put your finger on, or can you?

What is the 23 flavors in Dr Pepper? ›

The 23 flavors are cola, cherry, licorice, amaretto (almond, vanilla, blackberry, apricot, blackberry, caramel, pepper, anise, sarsaparilla, ginger, molasses, lemon, plum, orange, nutmeg, cardamon, all spice, coriander juniper, birch and prickly ash.

What does 10 2 4 mean on Dr Pepper? ›

Not really, but at the time, it won an ad campaign request put out by the brand after research in the 1920s showed that folks generally suffer from a sugar low around 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. Hence the need for a sugary, bubbly beverage like Dr Pepper to get you going again.

What happened to Mr Pibb? ›

In 1980, Mr. Pibb was reformulated and marketed with the words "New Taste" printed prominently on the products. In 2001, a cinnamon-forward "spicy cherry" flavor replaced the original formula in many parts of the United States, marketed as a bolder version of original Mr. Pibb.

What flavor is Mr Pibb? ›

Pibb® Xtra

Pibb Xtra provides an intensely flavored, refreshing, spicy cherry alternative to regular cola.

What does Dr Pepper stand for? ›

DR PEPPER IS THE OLDEST MAJOR SOFT DRINK IN AMERICA.

Wade Morrison, the drug store owner, named it "Dr. Pepper" after Dr. Charles Pepper, a Virginia doctor who was the father of a girl Morrison was once in love with. (The period after Dr was dropped in the 1950s.)

What are the 23 secret ingredients in Dr Pepper? ›

However, Dr Pepper superfans have done their best to crack the code, and according to Mashed, the best approximation of the flavors is amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, caramel, carrot, clove, cherry, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, ...

What is the difference between pibb and Dr Pepper? ›

Pibb is known for being a spicy cherry soda. Mr. Pibb does not have as many different flavors as Dr. Pepper but the ones they do have are Pibb zero, cherry, and cherry vanilla.

What is the oldest soda in America? ›

Vernor's boasts the oldest soda in America, but not the world. That belongs to Schweppe's, who created a carbonated mineral water in 1783. Other old sodas include Hires Root Beer (1876), Moxie 1876, Dr. Pepper (1885) Coca-Cola (1886) and Pepsi (1893.

Is Dr Pepper owned by Pepsi or co*ke? ›

Strangely, Dr Pepper is only owned by Coca Cola in its European and South Korean markets. Everywhere else it is sold is managed by the Keurig Dr Pepper company.

Does Dr Pepper help with constipation? ›

A spoonful of Dr. Pepper will not relieve constipation, hives, excessive acidity, morbidity, sterility, bile, eczema, hysteria, bronchitis or what ails you in general.

Does Dr Pepper have aspartame in it? ›

These diet drinks do contain aspartame:

co*ke Zero. Pepsi Max. Fanta Zero. Dr Pepper Zero.

What are the 23 ingredients in Dr Pepper? ›

Amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, carrot, clove, cherry, caramel, Cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, tomato, and vanilla.

What is a fun fact about Dr Pepper? ›

Dr Pepper is the oldest soft drink in America. Older than Coca-Cola, in fact, by a full year. It was created in 1885 by a pharmacist, Charles Alderton, in Waco, Texas. And its original name was Waco – it was served there at the soda fountain in the drugstore.

Who was the real Dr Pepper? ›

Charles Taylor Pepper (December 2, 1830 – May 28, 1903) was an American physician and surgeon, who is often cited as the namesake for the soft drink brand Dr Pepper.

What did Dr Pepper get his doctorate in? ›

He's a Pepper

Dr. Charles T. Pepper earned his medical degree in 1855 from the University of Virginia Medical School, then served as a surgeon for the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the war, Pepper moved to Rural Retreat, Virginia, where he practiced medicine and opened a drugstore.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Sen. Emmett Berge

Last Updated:

Views: 6315

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Sen. Emmett Berge

Birthday: 1993-06-17

Address: 787 Elvis Divide, Port Brice, OH 24507-6802

Phone: +9779049645255

Job: Senior Healthcare Specialist

Hobby: Cycling, Model building, Kitesurfing, Origami, Lapidary, Dance, Basketball

Introduction: My name is Sen. Emmett Berge, I am a funny, vast, charming, courageous, enthusiastic, jolly, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.