Dr Pepper: America's oldest soda and its mysterious blend of 23 flavors!

Dr Pepper, the oldest major soda in the United States

The story begins in 1885 in Waco, Texas, at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store. A young pharmacist, Charles Alderton, loved the smell that drifted through the shop when all the fruit syrups mingled together. He set out to recreate that aroma in a drink. After countless attempts, he landed on a unique blend of 23 flavors — a taste like no cola, no root beer, nothing known. Customers loved it and ordered it by asking for a "Waco." It was the owner, Wade Morrison, who gave it its name: Dr Pepper.

Remarkable fact: Dr Pepper was born in 1885, a year before Coca-Cola, making it the oldest major American soda still on the market. And it has stayed deeply Texan at heart. So much so that its eternal rival Coca-Cola is said to have tried several times to buy the brand over the years — never succeeding. Today, Dr Pepper is marketed by Keurig Dr Pepper.

Did you know the 23-flavor recipe is a closely guarded secret?

For over 140 years, Dr Pepper has claimed a "blend of 23 flavors" — but the brand has never revealed which ones! The recipe was never patented, precisely to keep it secret. Fans have always speculated: cherry, licorice, amaretto, blackberry, apricot... but nobody has the answer. It's that mystery that lets you recognize a Dr Pepper out of a thousand without ever being able to describe its taste. Pretty clever, right?

Dr Pepper flavors at MYAM

Dr Pepper Cherry — cherry! The most popular version, playing up the fruity notes already in the base recipe. A classic.

Dr Pepper Cream Soda — cream version! Dr Pepper married to a vanilla cream soda, for a softer, rounder taste. One of the fans' favorites.

Dr Pepper Vanilla Float — ice-cream-float style! Inspired by the American soda + vanilla ice cream dessert, with its indulgent creamy notes.

Dr Pepper Strawberries and Cream — strawberry and cream! A touch of sweet strawberry and vanilla cream that softens Dr Pepper's spicy character.

Dr Pepper Creamy Coconut — creamy coconut! An exotic, original twist, perfect for fans of summery flavors.

Dr Pepper Blackberry — blackberry! Dark-fruit notes that blend beautifully into the mix of 23 flavors.

And for the curious and fans of original editions, Dr Pepper Cotton Candy plays the sweet cotton-candy card — a fun edition to discover among the shop's new arrivals.

A fan's tip: Dr Pepper Texas Sheet Cake

In Texas, they don't just drink Dr Pepper, they cook with it! Replace part of the liquid in your chocolate cake recipe with Dr Pepper: the soda adds incredible depth of flavor and moisture. You can also use it to glaze a ham or make a caramel to drizzle over desserts. The taste of the 23 flavors elevates everything it touches.

Where to find US Dr Pepper?

These Dr Pepper versions are hard to find in regular stores. My American Market, your online American grocery store, tracks them down for you straight from the USA. Craving other US sodas? Check out the Coca-Cola, Fanta and other drinks in the shop!