10 Fascinating Facts About Dr. Pepper: Discover the History and Secrets Behind Your Favorite Soda

1. Invention at The Old Corner Drug Store

In a world where soda fountains were the original social networks and pharmacies doubled as flavor laboratories, one pharmacist named Charles Alderton dared to enter the great carbonation extravaganza: Charles not only concocted a revolutionary drink known as Dr Pepper at The Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas in 1885, but also set the foundation for the now-iconic brand that has a museum dedicated to it in the very same city – housing a rich history of the soft drink and celebrating the free enterprise system that allowed for its creation.
Source => wacohistory.org

2. Pepper-inspired Name Debates

When Dr. Pepper gives you a prescription, do you tell him "no pepper please"? Hold the laughter: Dr Pepper is actually named after Dr. Charles T. Pepper, a friend of the owner of Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store, where Charles Alderton, the inventor of the beverage, worked. However, debates still brew over whether the name is derived from the pepsin enzyme, or its marketing strategy as an energizing drink. And now, 130 years later, it continues to be prescribed for those in need of a fizzy delight.
Source => thoughtco.com

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3. Dr Pepper Heats Up

When life hands you lemons, don't just make lemonade - heat up some Dr Pepper instead: This fizzy beverage transforms into a warm, citrus-infused drink, when heated up to 180 degrees and garnished with a lemon slice, showcasing versatile taste of its 23 peculiar flavors that range from cola to prickly ash.
Source => drpepper2010.weebly.com

4. Barry Manilow and the "Be a Pepper" Jingle

Forget Barry Manilow's Copacabana - in the groovy era of the '70s and early '80s, he had everyone singing "I'm a Pepper": The "Be a Pepper" campaign, written and originally sung by Manilow himself, targeted young folks aged 13-30 and featured celebrity endorsers like Michael Jackson, Popeye the Sailor Man, and Ray Bolger. The jingle became the third most popular advertising campaign in the US by 1980, before ending in 1983, leaving everyone to reminisce about the pepper-filled days of yore.
Source => theretronetwork.com

5. Hot Dr Pepper's Winter Popularity

Before hot chocolate slid into the DMs of winter beverages, a fizzy fad from Texas steamed up its own love affair with chilly days: Hot Dr Pepper soared in popularity during the 1960s, as it warmed up the masses at events like the Dallas Cotton Bowl and North Texas holiday celebrations, with some even spiking it with spirits or lemon slices.
Source => dallasnews.com

6. Cherry-flavored Red Fusion Flop

Remember when Dr Pepper had a cherry on top? No? Well, it's a tale as red as a baboon's posterior: In 2002, the first new flavor added to the Dr Pepper family was Dr Pepper Red Fusion, a cherry-flavored and red-colored variety. Alas, despite its initial popularity, Red Fusion fizzled out like an awkward New Year's Eve party popper and was discontinued less than a year later.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Dr Pepper Lip Balm Legacy

Pucker up, lip balm enthusiasts, for a tale of epic flavor proportions that'll make your taste buds tingle with fizzy delight: In 1975, Lip Smacker partnered with Dr Pepper to launch the first-ever flavored lip balm collaboration, paving the way for future fruity collaborations with Starburst and Skittles in 2004, and a magical collection of Disney character-inspired lip glosses in 2010 – but don't be fooled, the original lip-smacking trio in 1973 came in Strawberry, Lemon, and Green Apple flavors!
Source => lipsmacker.com

8. Texas Museum Honors Fizzy Creator

A sip of Dr Pepper is like playing Texas Hold 'Em with a bottle of liquid luck and a straw, as you survey the saloon of soda wonders: The fizzy marvel was concocted in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, leading to the creation of a dedicated museum in its honor – complete with free sips for all paying guests – and creating taste-bud brawls across the land ever since.
Source => drpeppermuseum.com

9. The Wizard of Sugar Reduction

Step aside, Willy Wonka, there's a new sugar reduction wizard in town: Dr Pepper Snapple Group is launching 10-calorie versions of their famous soda brands like 7Up, A&W, Sunkist, Canada Dry, and RC cola, using a blend of caloric and non-caloric sweeteners all aimed at pleasing those 25-39-year-olds counting their calories.
Source => dallasnews.com

10. Dr Pepper Dark Berry's Limited Releases

In a world where soda becomes a superhero's sidekick and dinosaurs take a sip before wreaking havoc, Dr Pepper Dark Berry swoops into the summer spotlight, only for the curtain call to arrive too soon: This limited-edition Dr Pepper flavor was originally launched in 2019 to promote "Spider-Man: Far From Home" and brought back in 2022 for "Jurassic World Dominion," proving so tantalizing that it demanded a Mexican encore, hitting shelves in July for a short, yet berry memorable run.
Source => the-soda.fandom.com