What’s a drink that people live by? Is it coffee? Tea? Well, for me, and I am sure many others, the drink I live by is the holy grail of drinks: Dr Pepper.
What makes Dr Pepper the superior soda or even the best beverage?
According to Waco History, on Dec. 1 of the glorious year 1885, Charles Aderton, a pharmacist in Texas, invented the soda. Originally known as a Waco, but now, as we know it, as Dr Pepper. The soft drink is said to be one of the oldest sodas invented in the United States.
I’d say that most people gravitate towards Coca-Cola as the best soda because it holds the outdated status of “American Classic,” I would argue that Dr Pepper, having been invented one year earlier than Coke and is better in taste, should be deemed the best.
Compared to Coke, Dr Pepper offers a better flavor palate with hints of vanilla, citrus and nutty pungency. Whereas Coke, in my opinion, offers a more harsh and aggressive taste, overwhelmed with bubbled fizz.
“I would much rather drink Dr Pepper,” said Bridget Mainor, a sophomore philosophy and psychology double major. “Mainly because I think Coke tastes worse and does that bizarre thing where it coats your teeth until they squeak together all weird.”
Dr Pepper’s taste is undeniable, with its unique 23 flavors that combine to make one distinct formula. The secret to this delicious combination that rattles your tastebuds has not been revealed, but it is speculated online that the 23 flavors that make Dr Pepper so distinct are cola, cherry, licorice, amaretto, almond, vanilla, blackberry, apricot, caramel, pepper, anise, sarsaparilla, ginger, molasses, lemon, plum, orange, nutmeg, cardamom, allspice, coriander juniper, birch and prickly ash.
This soda is so unmatched that even Coke tried to recreate it. According to the New York Times, in the 1970s, Coke came out with a drink that tasted strangely similar to Dr Pepper, which they named “Peppo.” The name sparked a trademark lawsuit, where Dr Pepper sued Coke for their soda’s name, and in response to the lawsuit, the name was changed to Mr. Pibb and later Pibb-Xtra. It’s strange that, even in the 70s, Coke knew of Dr Pepper’s superiority, so it’s hard to deny their unwavering taste.
Why is Dr Pepper so special to me?
Dr Pepper offers me a glimpse back into my childhood. It takes me back to special occasions of going out to dinner as a family and my parents letting my sister and I order a nice cold glass of it.
It’s a reminder of the trips to Sam’s Club with my dad, where we would get a slice of pizza and Dr Pepper as a special treat for being good.
Now, as a 20-year-old college student, a little caffeine is a must, and for me, Dr Pepper offers a good boost of energy mixed with an undeniable flavor.
Most college students I know would turn to coffee or energy drinks, like Red Bull, as a fuel source to get them through late nights or even through the day. Despite the caffeine that these drinks have, I find that coffee brings stomach issues and energy drinks leave lethargic feelings that make me even more tired.
One of the things I love the most about Dr Pepper is the accessibility of the drink. I can find it in any store and around GCSU’s campus, where both vending machines and new “Micro Marts” sell the soda.
The popularity of the drink has always been strong, but 2024 has seen tremendous growth, so much so that, as of July, Dr Pepper became the second most popular soft drink in the U.S., surpassing Pepsi. The decline of Pepsi has contributed to this boost, but the rise of social media and the marketing of the Dr Pepper brand also play a role in the drink’s immense popularity today.
Collaborations with other brands like Krispy Kreme, Ikea and Aflac, as well as the sponsorship of the College Football season through their Fansville commercials, have increased the soda’s loyalty with new fans and solidified their brand with old fans. The Fansville commercials continue to be fan favorites, with features of multiple seasoned football players.
The cult of Dr Pepper is one that follows lovers of soda. Across several social media platforms like YikYak, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter, accounts have popped up in love or dedication to the soft drink. Dr Pepper’s own social media accounts have generated memes and perpetuated trends like the TikTok trend of Dr Pepper and pickles or “Pickled Dr Pepper.”
YikYak has several groups dedicated to a daily appreciation post of the soft drink, some of which gain multiple upvotes. At GCSU, students have their own YikYak account, respectfully named “drpepperaddiction,” where they share their love for Dr Pepper and give updates on how stocked GCSU’s campus is with it.
There is one person I always think of when I drink a soft drink, and that is the old lady who credits the longevity of her life to Dr Pepper.
Back in 2015, a Texas woman named Elizabeth Sullivan did an interview with CBS discussing the celebration of her 104th birthday, where she expressed that her doctors warned her against her regular drinking of the soda. She slyly remarked that she never listened, and she outlived them.
Sullivan’s remarks and livelihood are enough to show Dr Pepper’s superiority, especially if it does produce longevity of life. Some say that favoritism only lasts so long, but I aspire to be like Sullivan, who extended her life by three Dr Peppers a day. Whether this be true or not, all I know is Dr Pepper fuels my day, and a nice cold glass could fill up yours too.
