Dr Pepper: A Texas Original at Your Food Town

Dr Pepper is a carbonated beverage with a unique flavor — and it’s a true Texas original. America’s oldest soft drink was established in 1885, right around the corner in Waco! Like most of the best things in life, it came from humble beginnings.

Dr Pepper was first created and manufactured by pharmacist Charles Alderton, who sold the drink at the Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store soda fountain. The drink became wildly popular, leading drugstore owner Wade Morrison and beverage chemist Robert S. Lazenby to form the Artesian Manufacturing and Bottling Co. in 1891. The business would later become the Dr Pepper Company.

Dr Pepper was introduced nationally in the United States at St. Louis’ 1904 World’s Fair Exposition as a new kind of soda pop. Other projects that made their debut at that same time? The ice cream cone and buns for hamburgers and hot dogs. (Yum — there’s your whole meal right there!)

Of course, as the years progressed, some change entered the mix. The Dr Pepper logo has come a long way since its creation, while the company slogan has, too. In 1910, Dr Pepper was known as the “King of Beverages, while that message later became “There’s Just More to it,” emphasizing the 23 flavors that give Dr Pepper its unique taste. Today the soda’s message is “Dr Pepper, it Makes the World Taste Better.”

Want to learn more about the soft drink industry? Visit the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco, Texas, where they have a program to teach students about developing, producing and marketing products. With more than 300,000 artifacts, Dr Pepper has the only non-profit museum in the country dedicated to the entire soft drink industry. You can learn all sorts of great information about Dr Pepper’s history, too!

Modern-day Dr Pepper comes in a range of varieties, and can be used to create all sorts of delicious recipes. (Scroll to the bottom of this post for a couple of our favorites, and be sure to check out our “Dr Pepper Delights” Pinterest board for more!) In addition to the tried-and-true Regular, you can find Diet, Cream Soda, Cherry, Cherry Vanilla and Caffeine Free, just to name a few. Stop by Food Town and treat yourself to a flavor you haven’t tried yet — or to the original you already know you love! While you’re at your neighborhood Food Town, be sure to score your FREE 2 liter of Dr Pepper (or its flavored varieties) when you use your Food Town+ app!*
($10 additional purchase required. Limit one digital coupon per person. Digital offer valid 5.6.2020 – 5.12.2020.)

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce by Pinterest User Danelle at Let’s Dish Recipes
A delicious way to spruce up your next backyard barbecue!
Ingredients:
Produce:
•3 cloves garlic
•1 yellow onion, medium
Canned Goods:
•3 tbsp. tomato paste
Condiments:
•1 cup ketchup
•1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
Baking & Spices:
•1/2 cup brown sugar, packed dark
•2 tsp. chili powder
•1 12-oz. can Dr Pepper
•1/2 tsp. pepper
•1 tsp. salt
Oils & Vinegars:
•1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
Dairy:
•4 tbsp butter, unsalted

Instructions:
•In a heavy saucepan, melt the butter. Add onion and garlic, and sauté until translucent, 8-10 minutes.
•Add all of the remaining ingredients and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the flavors have blended.
•Continue cooking until the sauce begins to thicken, 15-20 minutes more.
•Let the sauce cool for about 10 minutes, or until it is warm but no longer boiling hot. Puree with an immersion or traditional blender.
•Cool completely. Keep sauce tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Dr Pepper Chocolate Cake by tastykitchen.com
Ingredients
For the Cake:
•1-½ cup Dr Pepper soda
•½ cups vegetable or canola oil
•1 stick butter, salted (8 tablespoons)
•4 tablespoons cocoa powder (I recommend using a dark cocoa powder)
•2 cups sugar
•2 cups all-purpose flour
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•2 whole eggs
•½ cups buttermilk
For the Frosting:
•1 stick butter, salted (8 tablespoons)
•4 tablespoons cocoa powder (again, I recommend using a dark cocoa powder)
•8 tablespoons milk
•4 cups confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar)

Preparation:
Directions for the Cake: 
•Preheat oven to 350° F and grease or spray with cooking spray a 13x9x2″ baking pan.
•Begin by combining the Dr Pepper, oil, butter and cocoa powder in a saucepan over medium heat. When it comes to a simmer, mix well and turn the stove off. Mix dry ingredients together (sugar, flour and baking soda); add to the mixture in the saucepan and mix well. Don’t over beat. 
•In a separate small bowl, lightly beat the eggs and buttermilk together, then add them to the saucepan and combine the batter well. Pour into a greased baking pan and bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Be careful not to over bake.
Directions for the Chocolate Frosting: 
•In a saucepan, combine butter, cocoa powder and milk together over medium heat, stirring occasionally until melted and smooth. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, combining after each addition until smooth. 
•Pour over the warm cake.