The History of Dr. Pepper

From humble beginnings in a small Texas drugstore in the late 1800s to a national introduction at the 1904 World's Fair Exposition, Dr Pepper was a forerunner in the development of the global soft drink industry. While there appears to be little question about the beverage's origins, mystery still shrouds the genesis of the drink's name. Add this to my Recipe Box.

History

Charles Alderton, a pharmacist at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, developed the formula for Dr Pepper in 1885 by mixing a variety of fruit flavorings in a carbonated drink. According to the Dr Pepper Museum, the new drink's popularity among local patrons led store owner Wade Morrison to partner with a regional bottling plant owner to expand distribution of the beverage beyond the Waco area.

Significance

Dr Pepper claims the title as the oldest major soft drink still being sold in the United States. Its invention occurred just months before the development of Coca Cola in May of the following year and helped spark the growth of today's multi-billion dollar carbonated drink industry. Diet Dr Pepper was introduced in 1963 (originally called Dietetic Dr Pepper, according to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, owners of the Dr Pepper brand). Dr Pepper also introduced Cherry Vanilla and Diet Cherry Vanilla versions in 2004.

Theories/Speculation

It is commonly believed that Dr Pepper is named after Charles Pepper from Rural Retreat, Virginia, a physician whom Wade Morrison worked for as a teenager and the father of a girl that Morrison loved. According to "Dr Pepper FAQ" by Christopher Flaherty, the story may not be true. Flaherty writes that research by a curator at the Dublin Dr Pepper bottling plant museum in Texas shows that Morrison lived at least 40 miles from Rural Retreat, probably never worked for Charles Pepper, and was much older than Charles Pepper's daughter. Flaherty says the curator suggests that another physician named Pepper who lived near Morrison and had a daughter closer to Morrison's age is a more likely candidate as the real "Dr. Pepper."

Identification

According to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, Dr Pepper is a blend of 23 different flavors. While the company says that the exact formula is proprietary information, one change from the original version involved discontinuing the use of pure cane sugar in favor of cheaper high fructose corn syrup. The original cane sugar formula is still produced today at the Dublin Dr Pepper bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, and can be purchased through the facility's website at dublindrpepper.com.

Considerations

There is no period after Dr in the name Dr Pepper. The original name included the period, but the company says it was dropped in 1950 because of the use of a different type font. More Dr Pepper fun facts are available to visitors to central Texas, where two facilities bring the beverage's past to life. The Dr Pepper Museum in Waco showcases soft drink memorabilia. Less than 100 miles away in Dublin, the oldest Dr Pepper plant still in operation is open for tours.