Dr Pepper, born in Waco, Texas, in 1885, is fizzy relaxation in a bottle—23 secret flavors that predate Coca‑Cola, perfect for bedtime stories or insomnia relief if you’re the sort who naps to soda lore. It’s uniquely pepper‑sweet, historically “not a cola,” and sleep‑inducingly mundane.
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Pleasant Grove, UT, USA
Transcript
Welcome to the I Can't Sleep podcast, Where I help you drift off one fact at a time. I'm your host, Benjamin Boster. And today's episode is about Dr. Pepper. Thanks to Hannah Schevenel for sponsoring today's episode. Dr. Pepper is a carbonated soft drink. It was created in the 1880s by the American pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, And was first nationally marketed in the United States in 1904. It is manufactured by Keurig Dr. Pepper in the United States and Canada, By the Coca-Cola Company in the United Kingdom, Japan and South Korea, And by PepsiCo in Europe. Variants include Diet Dr. Pepper, Which is my favorite drink, And, Beginning in the 2000s, A line of additional flavors. Although Dr. Pepper has similarities to cola, The American Food and Drug Administration has ruled that Dr. Pepper is not a cola, Nor a root beer, Nor a fruit-flavored soft drink. Rather, Dr. Pepper is said to be in a category of its own kind, Called Pepper Soda, Named for the brand. Other soft drinks in this category, Such as Dublin Original and Pibb Extra, Have a similar flavor profile. Dr. Pepper is the second-highest-selling carbonated soft drink in the United States, And the sixth-highest-selling in the United Kingdom. The name Dr. Pepper was first used commercially in 1885. It preceded the introduction of Coca-Cola by one year. Dr. Pepper was introduced nationally at the 1904 Louisiana International Drinking Competition. It was formulated by Brooklyn-born pharmacist Charles Alderton in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. To test his new drink, He first offered it to store owner Wade Morrison, Who also found it to his liking. Patrons at Morrison's Soda Fountain soon learned of Alderton's new drink and began ordering a Waco. Alderton gave the formula to Morrison, Who named it Dr. Pepper. Early advertisements for this soft drink made medical claims, Stating that it aids digestion and restores vim, Vigor, And vitality. As with the formula for Coca-Cola, The formula for Dr. Pepper is a trade secret, And allegedly the recipe is kept as two halves in safe deposit boxes in two separate Dallas banks. A persistent rumor since the 1930s is that the drink contains prune juice, But the official Dr. Pepper FAQ refutes this with, Dr. Pepper is a unique blend of natural and artificial flavors. It does not contain prune juice. The origin of the rumor is unknown. Some believe it was started by a deliveryman for a competitor trying to cast dispersions based on prune juice's laxative effects. I bet it may simply be because many people feel that Dr. Pepper tastes similar to prune juice. In 2009, An old ledger book filled with formulas and recipes was discovered by Bill Waders while shopping at antique stores in the Texas Panhandle. Several sheets and letterheads hinted it had come from the W. B. Morrison and Company Old Corner drug store, The same store where Dr. Pepper was first served in 1885, And faded letters on the book's cover spelled out Castle's Formulas. John Castle's was a partner of Morrison's for a time and worked at that location as early as 1880. One recipe in the book titled Dr. Pepper's Pepsin Bitters was of particular interest, And some speculated it could be an early recipe for Dr. Pepper. However, Keurig Dr. Pepper insists it is not the formula for Dr. Pepper, But is instead a medicinal recipe for a digestive aid. The book was put up for auction in May 2009, But no one purchased it. Theories about the origins of the soft drink's name abound. One possible reason that the name was chosen was the practice, Common at the time of the drink's creation, Of including Dr. In the names of products to convey the impression that they were healthful. 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. However, Millie Walker, Collections manager and curator for the Dublin, Texas Dr. Pepper Bottling Company Museum, Has stated that U. S. Census records show that a young Morrison lived in Christiansburg, Virginia, 40 miles away from rural Retreat, And that there is not one piece of evidence that Morrison ever worked for Charles T. Pepper in rural Retreat. Another story tells of Morrison naming the drink after Charles T. Pepper because the doctor granted Morrison permission to marry Pepper's daughter, But the girl in question was only eight years old at the time that Morrison moved to Waco. The period, Full stop, After doctor, Was used intermittently in Dr. Pepper logos until the 1950s, When, After some debate, It was discarded permanently for stylistic and legibility reasons. In 1951, Dr. Pepper sued the Coca-Cola Company for $750, 000, Equivalent to $7. 54 million in 2023, Asserting that 6. 5-ounce Cokes were sold below cost and were a restraint of trade. In 1969, Owing to Dr. Pepper's legal success as being determined a non-Cola soft drink, Then-president and CEO W. W. Futz Clemens was successful in persuading the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of New York, The largest bottler and distributor of Coca-Cola in the world, To bottle and distribute Dr. Pepper in the New York metropolitan area. In 1972, Dr. Pepper sued Coca-Cola Company for trademark infringement based on a soft drink marketed by Coca-Cola called Pepo. Coca-Cola renamed their beverage Mr. Pibb. Dr. Pepper became insolvent in the early 1980s, Prompting an investment group to take the company private. Several years later, Coca-Cola attempted to acquire Dr. Pepper, But was blocked from doing so by the Federal Trade Commission, FTC. Around the same time, 7-Up was acquired from Philip Morris by Hicks & Hawes, The same investment company that had purchased Dr. Pepper. Upon the failure of the Coca-Cola merger, Dr. Pepper and 7-Up merged, Creating Dr. Pepper 7-Up Inc. , Or DPSU, Giving up international branding rights in the process. After the DPSU merger, Coca-Cola obtained most non-U. S. Rights to the Dr. Pepper name, With PepsiCo taking the 7-Up rights. Dr. Pepper was a frequent player in the 1990s antitrust history of the United States. As part of these activities, Economists and the courts have weighed in with the opinion that Dr. Pepper is a pepper-flavored drink and not a cola. In 1995, The FTC blocked a merger between the Coca-Cola company and Dr. Pepper on grounds that included concerns about a monopoly of the pepper flavor category of soft drinks. In 1996, Dr. Pepper was involved in an antitrust case involving Jerry Jones, The Dallas Cowboys, NFL properties, Nike, And other commercial interests active at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. Jones had made deals with Dr. Pepper and the other companies that the league said violated their exclusive marketing contracts with Coca-Cola and other businesses. The NFL agreed to allow Jones and other teams to pursue their own agreements. In 1995, Cadbury-Schweppes acquired Dr. Pepper 7-Up. In May 2008, Cadbury-Schweppes spun off Cadbury-Schweppes Americas Beverages into an independent company called the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group and renamed itself to Cadbury-PLC. On July 9, 2018, Keurig acquired the Dr. Pepper Snapple Group in an $18. 7 billion deal. The combined company was renamed Keurig-Dr. Pepper. Let's talk about the varieties of Dr. Pepper. In North America, Caffeine-Free Dr. Pepper was launched in 1983. Uncaffeinated versions of Dr. Pepper, It was introduced following the success of Pepper-Free, Its diet counterpart. Dr. Pepper Red Fusion was launched in 2002, A cherry-flavored, Red-colored variety. It was the first new flavor added to the Dr. Pepper family of beverages in the company's 122-year history. It was released as part of a trend of variety expansions, Which included rival Pepsi Blue in Cadbury-Schweppes' own DNL. Much like Wizzy's drinks, Red Fusion was a commercial flop and was discontinued in 2004. Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla was released in 2004. It's a cherry-vanilla-flavored variety. It was originally released in some areas on October 15, 2004, And was the first in the planned Soda Fountain Classics line of beverages from Dr. Pepper, A range of drinks designed to taste similar to popular Soda Fountain drinks from the 1950s. When Dr. Pepper Cherry was introduced, Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla became region-specific and is now only found in select areas. It can also be found in Coca-Cola Freestyle machines that offer Dr. Pepper in place of Pibb Extra. Dr. Pepper Berries and Cream, 2006 and 2022. A berry-cream-flavored variety, It was released in most U. S. Locations in April 2006 as the second beverage in Dr. Pepper's Soda Fountain Classics lineup. It was eventually discontinued due to poor sales, But was reintroduced as part of a sweepstakes event in 2022. In Canada, It was sold as a limited edition from September to December 2007, After the limited edition run of its diet counterpart. Dr. Pepper Cherry, 2009. Dr. Pepper with a stronger cherry flavor first released in some areas around February 2009. The beverage tastes similar to Dr. Pepper, But adds a stronger cherry flavor. Heritage Dr. Pepper. A sugar-sweetened version of Dr. Pepper, Made to represent its formula before switching to high-fructose corn syrup by the early 1970s. It first became available around November 2009 as a limited-time offering. And was replaced the following year with Dr. Pepper Made with Real Sugar. Dr. Pepper Made with Real Sugar, 2010. A sugar-sweetened version was released to commemorate the drink's 125th anniversary during the summer of 2010 as a permanent variety. Replacing Heritage Dr. Pepper. This version of the soda featured six collectible 12-ounce cans and a 20-ounce plastic bottle decorated with Dr. Pepper's old slogans and images from the 1960s. When Dublin Dr. Pepper was discontinued, Heritage Dr. Pepper became its de facto replacement. Dr. Pepper 10. A mid-calorie version of the drink sweetened with a blend of corn syrup, Aspartame, And acetylfame potassium, Intending on having only 10 calories per serving. The product's branding featured a masculine appearance and gunmetal colors. And promotional campaigns that featured the slogan, It's not for women. Which gained some controversy for its promotional sexism. It was discontinued in 2018 due to low sales. Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float, 2014. A vanilla ice cream flavor variant that was sold as a limited edition for the summer of 2014. The drink returned in 2017 and has been periodically sold since then. Dr. Pepper Dark Berry, 2019-2022. A limited edition berry-flavored variety released in summer 2019 to promote the film Spider-Man Far From Home. It was later brought back in 2022 to promote Jurassic World Dominion. Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda, 2020. A cream soda flavored variety. Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream, 2023. A strawberry cream-flavored version of Dr. Pepper that was initially released as a limited edition for Valentine's Day, But became a permanent edition afterward. Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut, 2024. A coconut-flavored version of Dr. Pepper. It was sold as a limited edition for the summer of 2024. Dr. Pepper Blackberry, 2025. A blackberry-flavored variant introduced in February 2025 as a new permanent variety. Now let's do all the diet versions. Diet Dr. Pepper, 1962 cans, 1963 bottles. Low Calorie Dr. Pepper. It was originally introduced as Dietary Dr. Pepper, But was renamed Sugar-Free Dr. Pepper in 1996 due to slow sales, Partly due to the public misconception that the drink was for diabetics. The name was changed again to Diet Dr. Pepper in 1987. After posting a 6. 4% gain in sales volume, It became the 10th best-selling soda in 2006, According to Beverage Digest magazine. From 1991 to 2006, The beverage was marketed using the slogan, Diet Dr. Pepper tastes more like regular Dr. Pepper. In 2006, A new marketing campaign was launched comparing the taste of Diet Dr. Pepper to desserts instead of regular Dr. Pepper with the slogan, There's nothing diet about it. Caffeine-Free Diet Dr. Pepper, 1982. Diet Dr. Pepper without the caffeine. It was first introduced to test markets in 1982 as Pepper-Free, Produced as a separate brand, Citing company research that indicated a need for a product to fill a niche for the health-conscious consumer. The Pepper-Free brand lasted for only three years and was phased out in 1985. Although a caffeine-free dietetic product continues to be produced under various name permutations, The reason for pulling the Pepper-Free brand is unknown. But could have been due to confusion with rival Pepsi-Free brand. Caffeine-Free Pepsi. Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry Vanilla, 2004. Low-calorie version of Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper. It is sold in limited areas of the United States and is currently the only flavor variant of Diet Dr. Pepper. Diet Dr. Pepper Berries and Cream, 2006. Low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Berries and Cream. It was sold and discontinued at the same time as its standard variety. In Canada, It was sold as a limited edition from May to August 2007. Diet Cherry Chocolate Dr. Pepper, 2007. A low-calorie cherry and chocolate flavored variety, It was introduced as a limited edition flavor on November 21st, 2007, Before its run in April 2008. It was exclusively made as a diet variety, With a standard version never being made. The taste is similar to Canfield's Diet Cherry Chocolate Fudge Soda, But with the distinctive Dr. Pepper flavor. It became available in Canada in early January 2008 for a limited time. Diet Dr. Pepper Cherry, 2009. Low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Cherry. It was discontinued in 2021 and replaced with a zero-sugar version. Diet Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda, 2020. Low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Cream Soda. It was discontinued the following year and was replaced with a zero-sugar version. Zero Sugar Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar, 2021. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper made to taste more like the original. Dr. Pepper Cherry Zero Sugar, 2021. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Cherry made to taste more like the original. It replaced the diet version of the drink. Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda Zero Sugar, 2021. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper and Cream Soda made to taste more like the original. It replaced the diet version of the drink. Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream Zero Sugar, 2023. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Strawberries and Cream. Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut Zero Sugar, 2024. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Creamy Coconut. As with the standard variety, It was sold as a limited edition for the summer. Dr. Pepper Blackberry Zero Sugar, 2025. A low-calorie version of Dr. Pepper Blackberry. Let's go to Europe. Dr. Pepper in the United Kingdom in 1982. United Kingdom's version of Dr. Pepper, Along with various other countries, Is manufactured with sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup, Much like Heritage Dr. Pepper in the United States. It was initially produced by Britvick in April 1982, Before switching to food brokers in 1986, And then Coca-Cola Enterprises in the late 90s. In August 2014, The UK version was reformulated, Adding the artificial sweeteners aspartame and acesulfame K, Which reduces the amount of sugar from 10. 3 grams per 100 milliliters to 7. 2 grams. In 2018, Due to the sugary drink tax implanted in the UK, The sugar was reduced to 4. 9 grams. Dr. Pepper Zero, United Kingdom, 1986. Low-calorie version of the British Dr. Pepper. It was first released as Diet Dr. Pepper, And was initially sweetened with saccharin before switching to aspartame in 1992. It was renamed Dr. Pepper Z in 2005, As part of a relaunch of Coca-Cola's light varieties, Before changing to this name in 2006. Dr. Pepper, Germany, The Netherlands, And Poland, The 1980s. The German version of Dr. Pepper, Produced by Kronbacher Browrie since 2006, Originally used a similar formula to the UK version. It was at some point reformulated with sucralose and acesulfame K, Was a lower sugar amount than the initial UK sweetener reformulation. Other countries, Like the Netherlands and Poland, Distributed through Orangina Schweppes, Also used this formula. Dr. Pepper Cherry, Germany, Poland, 2016, 2020s Poland. A cherry-flavored variant of the German version of Dr. Pepper. As with standard variety, Cherry also contains artificial sweeteners. The same variant was released in Poland in the 2010s by Orangina Schweppes. Dr. Pepper Energy, Germany, Poland, 2017. A Dr. Pepper Energy drink variant containing extra caffeine and taurine. Unlike the other varieties, Energy does not contain artificial sweeteners. Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar, Germany, 2016. Zero Sugar variant of Dr. Pepper, Sweetened with sucralose and acesulfame K. Dr. Pepper Vanilla Float, Germany, Poland, 2022. A vanilla-flavored variant of the German version of Dr. Pepper, Released on March 22nd, 2022. Vanilla Float does not contain any artificial sweeteners, Unlike the standard and cherry variants. The Polish version, However, Does contain sweeteners. Dr. Pepper Dark Berry, Mexico, 2024. Mexican release of Dr. Pepper Dark Berry. It uses a similar formula to the U. S. Version. Dr. Pepper Strawberries & Cream, Mexico, 2024. Mexican release of Dr. Pepper Dark Berry. It uses a similar formula to the U. S. Version. Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry Crush, United Kingdom, 2025. A cherry-flavored variant of the UK Dr. Pepper, Released at the end of January 2025 as a limited edition flavor for Valentine's Day. Presently, Keurig Dr. Pepper relies on its own bottling group to bottle and distribute its products in more than 30 U. S. States and Canada. Coca-Cola and Pepsi have essentially stopped bottling and distributing Cadbury Schweppes products in favor of in-house alternatives, Although regional exceptions can be found. In Poland, Cadbury Schweppes licensed distribution rights to PepsiCo, But currently distributes the product through Orangina Schweppes. In Mexico, Germany, Sweden, The Netherlands, Slovakia, Austria, The Czech Republic, Belgium, And Norway, Cadbury Schweppes owns the trademark and distributes the product. In Finland, The product is bottled by Seinbrockhoff, Which also bottles Coca-Cola Company's products. Dr. Pepper is available in Russia, Though imported generally from Poland. There's no local bottling, South Korea and Ukraine. Although no longer locally bottled in Australia or New Zealand, Dr. Pepper is imported and sold by United States Foods and many other small retailers in Australia with the UK sugar version, Sold in the British sections of Kohl's and Woolworths supermarkets. Dr. Pepper and Dr. Pepper Cherry are available in Serbia, Only at selected NIS Petrol and Gazprom Petrol gas stations in 0. 33 liter cans. Dr. Pepper is not available in Thailand and North Korea. It is sold in Indonesia, Where it is imported by PT Citra Gourmand Prima, Formerly PT Armasco Prima, With its office in Suntar, North Jakarta. Other products Dr. Pepper has a line of jelly beans, Made by the Jelly Belly Company. Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum produces a Dr. Pepper flavored edition. The gum is the same color as the soda. Dr. Pepper collaborated with Vita Food Products to produce Dr. Pepper Sweet and Kicken BBQ Sauce and Dr. Pepper More Than Mesquite Marinade. Cosmetics company Bon Bell includes Dr. Pepper among its licensed soft drink-flavored Lip Smackers lip balms. Brock's has a line of hard candy that features Dr. Pepper, Orange Crush, A&W Root Beer, And seven of flavored hard candies in Brock's soda poppers. It has an ice cream topping syrup, Also manufactured by Vita Food Products in 2009, Called Dr. Pepper Cherry Dessert Topping. Dr. Pepper also created an iPod skin cover, But it was discontinued. Dr. Pepper Slurpee is sold by retailer 7-Eleven. Dr. Pepper flavored freezies are available with Grape Crush and Hyers Root Beer flavors. The Sirius Bean Company makes a variety of baked beans, Using Dr. Pepper in the sauce. Dr. Pepper Time, According to one promotion, Was at 10, 2, And 4 o'clock. During World War II, A syndicated radio program, The 10-2-4 Ranch, Later titled 10-2-4 Time, Aired in the southern United States and other areas where Dr. Pepper was distributed. The show featured the Sons of the Pioneers and Dick Foran. In the 1960s, The tune of the chorus, The Glow Worm, Was used in ads, With lyrics which ended, It's Dr. Pepper Time. In the early 1960s, Dr. Pepper promoted the idea of serving the drink hot with lemon slices in winter. This idea appeared in the film, Blast from the Past, Initially set in the early 1960s. Also, From around this same time period, The phrase, Not a Cola, Not a Root Beer, Was used in an advertising jingle for Dr. Pepper. Around 1967, Dr. Pepper released the charge ad, Charge, Get Going Again, With the Dr. Pepper difference. In 1977, Jake Holmes wrote the lyrics to Be a Pepper. Earlier in the 1970s, Holmes and Randy Newman wrote another jingle entitled, The Most Original Soft Drink Ever. Barry Manilow performed Holmes' jingle in concerts and on albums under the inclusion of VSM, Very Strange Medley. A TV commercial was also created using the jingle and ran from 1977 to 1985. The song noted, It's not a cola, It's something much, Much more. It's not a root beer, You get root beer by the score. The Be a Pepper series referred to fans of Dr. Pepper as Peppers, And often featured large crowd dance scenes, Intricately choreographed by Tony Stevens, And led on screen by actor David Naughton. The chorus of the jingle as written by Holmes was, I'm a pepper, Here's a pepper, She's a pepper, We're a pepper. Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too? Be a pepper. Drink Dr. Pepper. This became grist for a number of pop culture references and parodies. One of the first was a July 1981 sketch on the program SCTV, In which an overly excited injured man, Eugene Levy, Extols the work of a Dr. Schechter, Rick Moranis, Who has been treating him. Levy and a group of patients wearing casts and crutches, Engage in their own elaborate dancing and singing. Wouldn't you like to see my doctor too? Which Schechter first uses as an opportunity to explain his work, And then grows alarmed. These people should not be dancing. W. W. Clements, Former CEO and president of the Dr. Pepper 7-Up company, Described the taste of Dr. Pepper as one of a kind, Saying, I've always maintained you cannot tell anyone what Dr. Pepper tastes like, Because it's so different. It's not an apple, It's not an orange, And it's not a strawberry. It's not a root beer, It's not even a cola. It's a different kind of drink, With a unique taste all its own. The 1980s Out of the Ordinary advertising campaign, Involved a series of post-apocalyptic commercials, Featuring a space cowboy and an alien sidekick, Seeking something different from a simple generic cola. The campaign also produced commercials featuring the movie Creature Godzilla, Where citizens of a Japanese town offered Dr. Pepper as a libation. The commercials were prominently featured during the 1986 syndication of the Cannes Film Festival, Which was sponsored by the Dr. Pepper company. As of 2009, The slogan of the product was, Drink it slow, Doctor's orders. Advertising supporting the slogan has celebrities with famous relations to the word doctor. Dr. Dre, Julius, Dr. J. Irving, Gene Simmons, Writer from the Kiss song, Calling Dr. Love, Et al. Or who played fictional doctors, Such as Neil Patrick Harris, Or Kelsey Grammer, Endorsing the beverage. The ads culminate with a celebrity stating, Trust me, I'm a doctor. Followed by the new slogan appearing on screen with a glass of Dr. Pepper.
4.8 (54)
Steph
July 12, 2025
I’m not sure what it is about this one, but I keep coming back to it! I love learning a little and sleeping a lot. Thank you for sharing your voice! It lulls me to sleep like I’m in 10th grade trigonometry (I mean that in the nicest way possible).
Lizzz
June 30, 2025
This one will get a 2nd listen. Success Benjamin.
Beth
June 30, 2025
Diet Dr. Pepper is your favorite? Interesting! I only know one other person, not that I know you 🤣🤣who drinks Dr Pepper. I rarely drink soda but when I do, it’s Coke Zero or Fresca (talk about old school!) I think I lasted about 5 minutes into this, it did the trick! Thanks Benjamin!! 😁😻
