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Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink first created in Waco, Texas, in the 1880s and now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink first created in Waco, Texas, in the 1880s and now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. It is known for its distinctive, hard-to-classify flavour and is commonly sold as a non-cola soft drink, though it is often grouped with colas in retail settings.

History

Dr Pepper was created in 1885 by Charles Alderton at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. It became nationally marketed in the United States in 1904.

Ownership

The brand is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, which was formed in 2018 through the merger of Keurig Green Mountain and Dr Pepper Snapple Group. It is a publicly traded company.

Taste and formulation

Dr Pepper is known for a distinctive flavour often described as a blend of fruit, spice, and caramel-like notes. The brand has long promoted a 23-flavour formula, although the exact recipe is proprietary.

Caffeine content

Dr Pepper contains caffeine, unlike some other soft drinks. A standard 12 fl oz serving is commonly listed at about 41 mg of caffeine.

Classification

Dr Pepper is not generally classified as a cola by the company or by many drink descriptions. It is usually treated as its own distinct soft drink category.

Key facts

  • Dr Pepper was created in 1885 by Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, and was first marketed nationally in 1904.
  • It is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, a publicly traded company formed in 2018.
  • The drink has a distinctive flavour profile often described as a blend of fruit, spice, and caramel-like notes.
  • A 12 fl oz can contains about 41 mg of caffeine.
  • Dr Pepper is generally not classified as a cola but is sometimes grouped with colas in retail settings.
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Canadian context

Dr Pepper is sold in Canada and is familiar to Canadian consumers as a mainstream imported soft drink brand.

Frequently asked questions

Who owns Dr Pepper?
Dr Pepper is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, a publicly traded beverage company.
How much caffeine is in Dr Pepper?
A standard 12 fl oz can of Dr Pepper contains about 41 mg of caffeine.
What does Dr Pepper taste like?
It has a distinctive sweet flavour often described as a mix of fruit, spice, and caramel-like notes.
Is Dr Pepper a cola?
It is generally not classified as a cola; it is treated as its own soft drink category.
When was Dr Pepper invented?
Dr Pepper was invented in 1885.

References

  1. CompaniesHistoryhttps://www.companieshistory.com/who-owns-dr-pepper/
    Supports: Current ownership by Keurig Dr Pepper; merger background
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Pepper
    Supports: Created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton; origin in Waco, Texas; introduced in 1885
  3. Dr Pepper Museumhttps://drpeppermuseum.com/history/
    Supports: History, Waco origin, creation in 1885
  4. Tasting Tablehttps://www.tastingtable.com/1968720/is-dr-pepper-coke-or-pepsi/
    Supports: Ownership by Keurig Dr Pepper; not Coke or Pepsi; origin and early history