The Hot Dr Pepper: A Holiday Beverage Revival
A Blast from the Past
The holidays always bring a bevy of beverages for seasonal sipping. In recent years, we’ve tried the Gingerbread Martini, the Rudolph, and the Snowglobe. This year, apparently, we’re making hot Dr Pepper.
A Classic Recipe
Yes, it’s the same old soda standby you know and love, but with a literal twist! To make this trending tipple, you just heat Dr Pepper, add a slice of lemon and serve. You can warm it up in a mug once the carbonation dies down, or just Crock-Pot a whole 2-liter for a crowd.
A Rich History
Dr Pepper first promoted the recipe in the 1960s to bump lagging sales in winter. Some versions even suggested spiking it with rum and calling it a "Boomer." Although not many people have remembered it until now, it was something of a staple at gameday concession stands and teens’ parties in the ’60s and ’70s (sans rum), at least in some parts of the country.
The Secret Recipe
According to brand lore, a young pharmacist at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store was aiming to make a beverage that tasted the way the air around the flavored syrups counter smelled — and Dr Pepper was born. The recipe is a hilariously closely-guarded secret, of course, but the company is willing to disclose that there are 23 flavors that go into the final product, and it is rumored to include things like cherry, apricot, almond, licorice, and anise.
A Taste Test
I poured it into a microwave-safe mug, stirred to banish most of the bubbles and heated for 1 minute. It smells uncannily familiar. Warming happily brings the purported spice flavors to the forefront, but I found the first sip too sweet. I rubbed the peel on the mug lip and added a giant squeeze of lemon with a tiny smidge of sea salt, maybe 10 fine grains, to smooth out the sweetness. With those tweaks, it’s solidly in drinkable territory, at least for old times’ sake.
A Second Trending Holiday Drink
On that suspect dairy note, it turns out Dr Pepper is having a banner year with a second trending holiday drink, Dr Pepper and eggnog, or "Pepp Nog," if you will. There’s no set recipe on social media, but there is at least one in published form, in the "Garvin County Extension Homemakers Recipe Book 1980." That one has a lot more eggnog than Dr Pepper, but the ones trending online have the opposite ratio. Let’s try both!
Conclusion
Hot Dr Pepper may look like black coffee but it smells like hot Dr Pepper. While it’s not perfect, with a few tweaks, it’s solidly in drinkable territory. The second trending holiday drink, Dr Pepper and eggnog, is a bit of a mixed bag, but the mostly eggnog version is a winner. If you don’t do eggnog, you can always opt for oat milk as an ingredient.
FAQs
Q: What is the secret recipe for Dr Pepper?
A: The exact recipe is a closely-guarded secret, but it is rumored to include 23 flavors, including cherry, apricot, almond, licorice, and anise.
Q: How do I make hot Dr Pepper?
A: Simply heat Dr Pepper, add a slice of lemon, and serve. You can warm it up in a mug once the carbonation dies down, or just Crock-Pot a whole 2-liter for a crowd.
Q: Is hot Dr Pepper a new trend?
A: No, hot Dr Pepper has been around since the 1960s, but it’s experiencing a resurgence in popularity this holiday season.
Q: Can I make hot Dr Pepper with oat milk?
A: Yes, Dr Pepper has recipes online that include oat milk as an ingredient. You can also use oat milk as a substitute for regular milk in the Dr Pepper and eggnog recipe.
