Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink that has been around since the 1880s, when a young pharmacist named Charles Alderton first mixed the syrup in Waco, Texas. What started as a local soda fountain curiosity became a national brand by 1904, and today it's one of the most recognizable beverages in the world. The recipe blends 23 flavors, giving it a taste that's sweet, spicy, and unlike anything else on the shelf. It's often lumped in with colas, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ruled in 1966 that it's not a cola, root beer, or fruit soda. Instead, it's the namesake of its own category: "pepper soda," a term that also covers drinks like Mr. Pibb and Dublin Original.

The brand's distribution is a patchwork. Keurig Dr Pepper handles production in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, while The Coca-Cola Company bottles it in the U.K., Ireland, and Japan. Suntory takes care of most of Europe. Over the years, Dr Pepper has expanded beyond the original formula, adding a diet version and, since the 2000s, a lineup of extra flavors like Cherry, Vanilla, and Strawberries & Cream. By 2024, it had climbed to the number two spot among carbonated soft drinks in the U.S., trailing only Coca-Cola. That's a remarkable run for a drink that started as a pharmacist's experiment.

Marketing has always leaned into the drink's one-of-a-kind character. The tagline "It's a Pepper thing" reinforces its loyal following, and the brand has a strong presence in college football, with campaigns like Fansville. In August 2026, the city of Norman, Oklahoma, signed a contract to turn its Lindsey Street water tower into a real-world Fansville landmark, with Dr Pepper paying $500,000 for the makeover. The project drew a reaction from former NFL player Brian Bosworth, who appears in the campaign, and is expected to boost local tourism. The brand also keeps innovating with limited-time flavors and collaborations, such as the Portillo's Dr Pepper milkshakes launched in summer 2026. [edit]