What flavor is Dr. Pepper? Top secret 23 flavor recipe explained

Dr. Pepper is a beverage beloved by many with a unique taste unmatched by any other, but what is its 23 flavor recipe made from?

People might be surprised to find out how old Dr. Pepper really is. The popular beverage was actually first introduced in 1885, by a man called Charles Alderton, one year before the release of Coca-Cola.

He experimented with lots of different fruit-based flavors before finally coming up with a syrup that when combined with carbonated water, created the unique flavor that we all know and love. 

Dr. Pepper is now so popular that it’s sold in Europe, Asia, North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. It’s a truly global phenomenon.

What does Dr. Pepper really taste like? 

Dr Pepper flavor

So why does Dr. Pepper have such a special taste? Of the ingredients that we DO know, Dr. Pepper’s recipe includes carbonated water, high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, phosphoric acid, sodium benzoate (preservative), and caffeine. 

However, there is another ingredient listed as ‘Natural and artificial flavors,’ which certainly makes the mind wander.

This combination of 23 flavors is what makes the drink so special, as the brand states on its website: “A signature blend of 23 flavors makes every sip of Dr Pepper truly unique. There’s nothing like a Dr Pepper.”

Dr. Pepper have been very elusive when it comes to revealing this secret combination. 

There is however, a flavor theory that’s been circulating the internet that asserts the flavor comes from a combination of: 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.

However, this has not been confirmed by the company. For now, we’ll just have to keep guessing.

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