Be a Pepper!
November 8, 2022 4:15 PM Subscribe
Dr Pepper Enthusiast John Green Taste Tests Dr Pepper and Its Misbegotten Pretenders
Some levity on a tryingday month year.
"You have to go for the way the human heart wants a soda to taste."
"The complexity! It reminds me of Whitman's Leaves of Grass... Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself. I contain multitudes."
From Wikipedia
Some levity on a trying
"You have to go for the way the human heart wants a soda to taste."
"The complexity! It reminds me of Whitman's Leaves of Grass... Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself. I contain multitudes."
From Wikipedia
The name "Dr. Pepper" was first used commercially in 1885. It was introduced nationally in the United States at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition as a new kind of soda pop, made with 23 flavors. Its introduction in 1885 preceded the introduction of Coca-Cola by one year."I'm a Pepper" TV Commercial 70's
It was formulated by Brooklyn-born pharmacist Charles Alderton in Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. To test his new drink, he first offered it to store owner Wade Morrison, who also found it to his liking. Patrons at Morrison's soda fountain soon learned of Alderton's new drink and began ordering a "Waco". Alderton gave the formula to Morrison, who named it Dr. Pepper (later stylized as "Dr Pepper").
and
Dr Pepper was a frequent player in the 1990s antitrust history of the United States. As part of these activities, economists and the courts have weighed in with the opinion that Dr Pepper is a "pepper" flavored drink and not a "cola". In 1995, the FTC blocked a merger between The Coca-Cola Company and Dr Pepper on grounds that included concerns about a monopoly of the "pepper" flavor category of soft drinks.
Heh, Diet Dr Pepper is my weakness. Grew up in the North where it had not made headway at the time. Moved farther south and tried Dr Pepper and became a fan (and also had grits and pecan pie and Derby pie for the first time .... ) Mr. Pibb is a pale imitation. The untold truth of Dr Pepper.
posted by gudrun at 4:48 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by gudrun at 4:48 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
Curious to watch this and compare John's takes (and to what extent the lineup even overlaps 25 years on) with Kibo's historical document.
posted by cortex at 4:53 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by cortex at 4:53 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
Having grown up on Dr Skipper, that is the "true" taste to me, and "real" Dr Pepper is the pretender.
I never drink Pibb by itself. It is always mixed into the Graveyard. But its contribution to the... melange? symphony?... is notable, and appreciated.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:01 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
I never drink Pibb by itself. It is always mixed into the Graveyard. But its contribution to the... melange? symphony?... is notable, and appreciated.
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 5:01 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
Only three imitators? But there are so many more! I totally expected the box to be a lot wider...
also y'know he does sorta misquote Walt Whitman here but who cares /literatureprofessor
posted by lorddimwit at 5:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [8 favorites]
also y'know he does sorta misquote Walt Whitman here but who cares /literatureprofessor
posted by lorddimwit at 5:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [8 favorites]
Whyyyyyy? Why would you imitate that? Whyyyyyy?
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:20 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 5:20 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
In case you didn't know, that's David Naughton (actor, An American Werewolf in London) doing the dancing in that commercial.
posted by JoeZydeco at 5:25 PM on November 8, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by JoeZydeco at 5:25 PM on November 8, 2022 [8 favorites]
In the week before my wedding, when my older sister flew in from California, she and I decided to have a drink.
Once we had it in our heads that rum n’ Coke was what we felt like drinking, with no rum and no Coke in the house, what we wound up drinking (only once) was Old Grand-Dad and Dr Pepper.
I cannot recommend it.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:26 PM on November 8, 2022 [11 favorites]
Once we had it in our heads that rum n’ Coke was what we felt like drinking, with no rum and no Coke in the house, what we wound up drinking (only once) was Old Grand-Dad and Dr Pepper.
I cannot recommend it.
posted by Mister Moofoo at 5:26 PM on November 8, 2022 [11 favorites]
Brooklyn-born pharmacist Charles Alderton...
When I drink Dr. Pepper, I remember Brooklyn-born biologist Alice Wolf, my former mother in law of blessed memory. She and I used to sit at her kitchen table and drink the stuff, the only two in the family who really liked it.
I miss her, and those shared moments at that kitchen table.
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 5:26 PM on November 8, 2022 [12 favorites]
When I drink Dr. Pepper, I remember Brooklyn-born biologist Alice Wolf, my former mother in law of blessed memory. She and I used to sit at her kitchen table and drink the stuff, the only two in the family who really liked it.
I miss her, and those shared moments at that kitchen table.
posted by Flight Hardware, do not touch at 5:26 PM on November 8, 2022 [12 favorites]
Aw, dag. I love Dr. Pepper. And can't drink much of it cuz of dietary restrictions. Dang.
*reminisces*.
posted by ishmael at 5:31 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
*reminisces*.
posted by ishmael at 5:31 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
He's right about that Zevia stuff. Jesus Christ indeed.
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:35 PM on November 8, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by 922257033c4a0f3cecdbd819a46d626999d1af4a at 5:35 PM on November 8, 2022 [7 favorites]
Once, in Florida, I purchased and tasted the Piggly Wiggly Dr Pepper knockoff because it was on sale at 99¢ for 2 liters. Even generous amounts of rum could not improve the flavor of Dr. Pigg.
posted by donpardo at 5:36 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by donpardo at 5:36 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
Also, my Texas born and bred grandmother would drink hot Dr Pepper on cold days. "Hot" as in she heated it on the stove. She did live to 100, but had dementia, so beware.
posted by donpardo at 5:41 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by donpardo at 5:41 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
My older cousin told me “Doctor Pepper comes in a bottle because his wife died.” It was years before I understood that joke. Of course the worst thing about that joke is that my cousin assumed Doctor Pepper was a man…..
posted by interogative mood at 6:02 PM on November 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by interogative mood at 6:02 PM on November 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
Dr. Pepper is about the only soda pop I ever pick up if available. Diet Dr. Pepper is even a little bit better. Mr. Pibb is only if there is no Dr. Pepper. All y'all Dr. Pepper haters are just wrong.
posted by zengargoyle at 6:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by zengargoyle at 6:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [17 favorites]
Yeah, Dr Pepper, especially diet, is pretty great. I used to drink it every time I was in the US, and I was really happy when my local grocery store here started carrying it. While Coke Zero is still my go-to soda, I usually have a Diet Dr Pepper several times a week, and I still love it.
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 6:17 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Joakim Ziegler at 6:17 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
How could anybody hate it? Inconceivable! I mean, what's in it that is so unlikable? How? What? I don't get it. Honestly, I had no idea that people have a hate on for Dr Pepper. Me, I'll never say no and hell's yes I'm a Pepper.
posted by ashbury at 6:22 PM on November 8, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by ashbury at 6:22 PM on November 8, 2022 [11 favorites]
While Coke Zero is still my go-to soda, I usually have a Diet Dr Pepper several times a week, and I still love it.
They make Dr Pepper Zero now! It's better than Diet, imo.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:25 PM on November 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
They make Dr Pepper Zero now! It's better than Diet, imo.
posted by uncleozzy at 6:25 PM on November 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
diet dr pigg tastes more like regular dr pigg
posted by logicpunk at 6:37 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by logicpunk at 6:37 PM on November 8, 2022 [6 favorites]
I haven't had a Mr. Pibb in decades--I haven't even seen it in about as long--and don't remember what it even tastes like. Now I'm curious to try all these imitators.
posted by zardoz at 6:48 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by zardoz at 6:48 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
While South Park may claim Dr Pepper is the agnostic's soda of choice, I think the "23" clearly means this is the Discordians at work.
posted by The otter lady at 7:18 PM on November 8, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by The otter lady at 7:18 PM on November 8, 2022 [9 favorites]
In Texas, there's a chain called HEB. They sell a passable Dr Pepper knockoff called "Dr. B".
HEB is named after the initials of its founder, Howard E. Butt.
So if you feel like guzzling down a beverage that's essentially named Dr. Butt, well, you have that option
posted by phooky at 7:41 PM on November 8, 2022 [28 favorites]
HEB is named after the initials of its founder, Howard E. Butt.
So if you feel like guzzling down a beverage that's essentially named Dr. Butt, well, you have that option
posted by phooky at 7:41 PM on November 8, 2022 [28 favorites]
i vote for cherry dr pepper zero - when i can find it - i like diet dr pepper too
i used to be a diet coke drinker and i still like it, but those damn coke bottle shaped 2 liters are just a bit taller than regular 2 liter bottles and won't fit in the door of my refrigerator
walmart's diet dr thunder is a little bland but not too bad
so, let's move on to more advanced soda questions - sprite with peanuts in it - yes or no?
posted by pyramid termite at 7:46 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
i used to be a diet coke drinker and i still like it, but those damn coke bottle shaped 2 liters are just a bit taller than regular 2 liter bottles and won't fit in the door of my refrigerator
walmart's diet dr thunder is a little bland but not too bad
so, let's move on to more advanced soda questions - sprite with peanuts in it - yes or no?
posted by pyramid termite at 7:46 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
"Superfans believe the 23 flavors are (in alphabetical order) amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, caramel, carrot, clove, cherry, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, tomato, and vanilla."
Personal observation: Denatured/non-alcoholic rum, almond, vanilla and orange flavors will get you most of the way there.
Another personal observation: Carbonated sugar-water is bad - carbonation neutralizes sweetness, requiring significantly more sugar to achieve the same sweetness as when flat. Carbonated HFCS is worse - (IMO) it's so intensely sweet that it basically burns out your brain's "reward center".
Our ancestors used to have to work really hard to get occasional sweet and high-value food into our diet and (IMO) our species still haven't evolved to cope with an easy-to-access, nutrient-rich food environment.
signed, dr buzzkill
posted by zaixfeep at 7:51 PM on November 8, 2022 [14 favorites]
Personal observation: Denatured/non-alcoholic rum, almond, vanilla and orange flavors will get you most of the way there.
Another personal observation: Carbonated sugar-water is bad - carbonation neutralizes sweetness, requiring significantly more sugar to achieve the same sweetness as when flat. Carbonated HFCS is worse - (IMO) it's so intensely sweet that it basically burns out your brain's "reward center".
Our ancestors used to have to work really hard to get occasional sweet and high-value food into our diet and (IMO) our species still haven't evolved to cope with an easy-to-access, nutrient-rich food environment.
signed, dr buzzkill
posted by zaixfeep at 7:51 PM on November 8, 2022 [14 favorites]
Also, rum and drp is vile because it changes the ratio of rum to other flavors in drp, destroying the fantasia (a new unique flavor arising from combination of existing flavorings)
posted by zaixfeep at 7:58 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by zaixfeep at 7:58 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
I, too, am a Pepper
posted by jazon at 8:35 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by jazon at 8:35 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
I like Dr. Pepper. This is a fun video... Oh! I didn't expect that to be a socks commercial...
But I clicked the link and it turns out you don't get to just buy socks, you have to subscribe to ... socks? Socks as a Service? Which is like regular socks except you don't get to pick what they look like.
Dear AskMe, how do I uninstall the internet?
posted by aubilenon at 8:39 PM on November 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
But I clicked the link and it turns out you don't get to just buy socks, you have to subscribe to ... socks? Socks as a Service? Which is like regular socks except you don't get to pick what they look like.
Dear AskMe, how do I uninstall the internet?
posted by aubilenon at 8:39 PM on November 8, 2022 [3 favorites]
Not a Pepper, but I love John Green with all my heart.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:49 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:49 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
Socks as a service are the best part. I have no Dr Pepper opinions as I don’t really drink soda, but thanks to Mr Nat I will indeed be getting socks as a service.
He can keep the Dr Pepper though.
posted by nat at 8:51 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
He can keep the Dr Pepper though.
posted by nat at 8:51 PM on November 8, 2022 [2 favorites]
You really can't beat the 90s Mr. Pibb logo with that weird dude. There was even a video game.
posted by credulous at 9:03 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by credulous at 9:03 PM on November 8, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'll tell ya what's nastier than Dr Pepper: cheap tequila mixed with A&W root beer, drunk in a billiards hall.
Actually they're both great. I like Moxie, too.
posted by not_on_display at 9:46 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
Actually they're both great. I like Moxie, too.
posted by not_on_display at 9:46 PM on November 8, 2022 [5 favorites]
"...cheap tequila mixed with A&W root beer, drunk in a billiards hall."
I think you've just described my perfect date!!!
I...uhm.
I'll be in my bunk.
posted by Floydd at 10:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
I think you've just described my perfect date!!!
I...uhm.
I'll be in my bunk.
posted by Floydd at 10:12 PM on November 8, 2022 [4 favorites]
Wait, has no one mentioned Dr Jack? Or his colleague, Dr. Jim (not as skillful, not as smooth, but will do in a pinch).
While I admit to loving Dr. Pepper (and it makes a fantastic bbq sauce to boot), Jack and Coke has nothing on Dr. Jack.
posted by Ghidorah at 12:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
While I admit to loving Dr. Pepper (and it makes a fantastic bbq sauce to boot), Jack and Coke has nothing on Dr. Jack.
posted by Ghidorah at 12:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you like this definitely don't miss this episode of Green's The Anthropocene Reviewed: Canada Geese and Diet Dr Pepper.
posted by lazaruslong at 12:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by lazaruslong at 12:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Aldi sell Professor Peppy. Presumably it's supposed to be a Dr. Pepper Zero clone, based on the name, but the taste is a sort of musty dandelion and burdock. I have a months-old opened bottle in the kitchen. One glass was more than enough.
Dr. Pepper has always had that almond/amaretto/cherry taste for me. It's definitely one of the rare drinks where the sugar-free versions are better than the original. I shall be consuming two litres today, as I sometimes do.
posted by pipeski at 1:49 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Dr. Pepper has always had that almond/amaretto/cherry taste for me. It's definitely one of the rare drinks where the sugar-free versions are better than the original. I shall be consuming two litres today, as I sometimes do.
posted by pipeski at 1:49 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Stevia tastes completely different (and bad) if you've tasted actual sugar recently so I'm not surprised it would be bad in this taste test.
posted by fleacircus at 1:59 AM on November 9, 2022
posted by fleacircus at 1:59 AM on November 9, 2022
A cold Doctor Pep with hot wings and chips on a warm summer day is something to beat. All for less than £5 too.
As a teen I once tagged along with an older friend and his pals to the pub. They insisted I drink a "Doctor Pepper", as I was the youngest. This consisted of a shot of amaretto depth-charged into a pint of lager, chugged. If you closed your eyes it was pretty close!
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 2:26 AM on November 9, 2022
As a teen I once tagged along with an older friend and his pals to the pub. They insisted I drink a "Doctor Pepper", as I was the youngest. This consisted of a shot of amaretto depth-charged into a pint of lager, chugged. If you closed your eyes it was pretty close!
posted by Ten Cold Hot Dogs at 2:26 AM on November 9, 2022
Another personal observation: Carbonated sugar-water is bad - carbonation neutralizes sweetness, requiring significantly more sugar to achieve the same sweetness as when flat.
I don’t think this is correct. Carbonation does have an effect on perception of sweetness, but mostly it makes it more difficult to tell the difference between sugar and artificial sweeteners. What does have a large effect on perception of sweetness is temperature, with cold temperatures having an inhibitory effect. Temperature also has an effect on the solubility of CO2 in water, with colder water containing more gas. Thus, flat soda is almost always warm soda. But it’s the temperature that makes it taste so much sweeter, not the lack of carbonation.
Carbonated HFCS is worse - (IMO) it's so intensely sweet that it basically burns out your brain's "reward center".
HFCS is generally speaking not a good thing, but this is because it’s in a huge number of processed and prepared foods you wouldn’t ordinarily think contain sugar, not because it’s some kind of demon syrup that does crazy things to your brain and/or body. HFCS is actually still pretty low in fructose (about 55% in the form used for soda). It’s just higher than regular corn syrup. HFCS is more or less equivalent to sucrose in sweetness.
posted by slkinsey at 4:09 AM on November 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
I don’t think this is correct. Carbonation does have an effect on perception of sweetness, but mostly it makes it more difficult to tell the difference between sugar and artificial sweeteners. What does have a large effect on perception of sweetness is temperature, with cold temperatures having an inhibitory effect. Temperature also has an effect on the solubility of CO2 in water, with colder water containing more gas. Thus, flat soda is almost always warm soda. But it’s the temperature that makes it taste so much sweeter, not the lack of carbonation.
Carbonated HFCS is worse - (IMO) it's so intensely sweet that it basically burns out your brain's "reward center".
HFCS is generally speaking not a good thing, but this is because it’s in a huge number of processed and prepared foods you wouldn’t ordinarily think contain sugar, not because it’s some kind of demon syrup that does crazy things to your brain and/or body. HFCS is actually still pretty low in fructose (about 55% in the form used for soda). It’s just higher than regular corn syrup. HFCS is more or less equivalent to sucrose in sweetness.
posted by slkinsey at 4:09 AM on November 9, 2022 [10 favorites]
slkinsey, I will not challenge your assertions; however in the spirit of 'technically correct is the best kind of correct', I amend my previous statement: IMO should be read as 'in my opinion based on my personal experience'.
When most USA soft drinks switched to HFCS ca. 1984 or so, I noticed after a while that nothing sucrose-sweetened tasted nearly as sweet or satisfying as a soft drink -- not even donuts, icing or pure table sugar straight from the box. And, for me, this issue increased gradually over the years. HFCS-sweetened sodas also made me feel hunger more intensely than sucrose or unsweetened drinks. A couple decades later, when a sucrose-sweetened version of my drink of choice became available, I couldn't even initially taste its sweetness compared to the HFCS version.
Also, along with white bread, HFCS caused me significant and stubborn weight gain which only began to reverse when I permanently dropped both of them. And carbonation wrecked the acidity of my stomach and caused me big problems until I eliminated that.
Perhaps I'm unusually sensitive or allergic. These days I drink only water, and have an occasional glass of whole milk for breakfast. I stand by what I wrote. YMMV.
signed dr total thread buzzkill
posted by zaixfeep at 4:53 AM on November 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
When most USA soft drinks switched to HFCS ca. 1984 or so, I noticed after a while that nothing sucrose-sweetened tasted nearly as sweet or satisfying as a soft drink -- not even donuts, icing or pure table sugar straight from the box. And, for me, this issue increased gradually over the years. HFCS-sweetened sodas also made me feel hunger more intensely than sucrose or unsweetened drinks. A couple decades later, when a sucrose-sweetened version of my drink of choice became available, I couldn't even initially taste its sweetness compared to the HFCS version.
Also, along with white bread, HFCS caused me significant and stubborn weight gain which only began to reverse when I permanently dropped both of them. And carbonation wrecked the acidity of my stomach and caused me big problems until I eliminated that.
Perhaps I'm unusually sensitive or allergic. These days I drink only water, and have an occasional glass of whole milk for breakfast. I stand by what I wrote. YMMV.
signed dr total thread buzzkill
posted by zaixfeep at 4:53 AM on November 9, 2022 [4 favorites]
i vote for cherry dr pepper zero - when i can find it
You might enjoy Cheerwine if you can find it where you are, or happen to be traveling thru the carolinas
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:07 AM on November 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
You might enjoy Cheerwine if you can find it where you are, or happen to be traveling thru the carolinas
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 5:07 AM on November 9, 2022 [6 favorites]
While their services are wildly overpriced, Dr. Goodwin has a more integrative practice--maybe it's worth a try, or maybe they're half a quack. They sometimes share office space with Dr. Becker.
posted by box at 5:16 AM on November 9, 2022
posted by box at 5:16 AM on November 9, 2022
I also want my Dr Pepper gum back.
Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smackers anyone?
posted by taquito sunrise at 5:21 AM on November 9, 2022 [12 favorites]
Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smackers anyone?
posted by taquito sunrise at 5:21 AM on November 9, 2022 [12 favorites]
You might enjoy Cheerwine if you can find it where you are, or happen to be traveling thru the carolinas
If you are on the road, may I also recommend stopping at a Cook Out to get your Cheerwine fix.
posted by mikelieman at 5:25 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you are on the road, may I also recommend stopping at a Cook Out to get your Cheerwine fix.
posted by mikelieman at 5:25 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Moxie exists only so waitstaff could theoretically have a reason to ask "is Dr. Pepper ok?" when someone tries to order it.
If I really wanted to drink something terrible, I'd grab a Moxie. Dr. Pepper is not good enough to enjoy, and not awful enough to be repulsed by.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:39 AM on November 9, 2022
If I really wanted to drink something terrible, I'd grab a Moxie. Dr. Pepper is not good enough to enjoy, and not awful enough to be repulsed by.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:39 AM on November 9, 2022
If I really wanted to drink something terrible, I'd grab a Moxie
Noooo, I love Moxie. Every time I'm in Massachusetts I have to stop and grab some because we can't get it at home. It's a shame that diet Moxie is so bad, though, because I don't love all the sugar.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:44 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Noooo, I love Moxie. Every time I'm in Massachusetts I have to stop and grab some because we can't get it at home. It's a shame that diet Moxie is so bad, though, because I don't love all the sugar.
posted by uncleozzy at 5:44 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I have family who like Moxie. It's definitely an acquired taste, and not for me. But I'll defend it's awfulness if anyone tries to claim another beverage is even more awful, because Moxie is very.....unique.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:51 AM on November 9, 2022
posted by RonButNotStupid at 5:51 AM on November 9, 2022
Ten Cold Hot Dogs - my college friends and I also noted the weird similarity between cheap beer + amaretto and Dr Pepper.
When I was in high school I went to Spain for a month on a summer exchange trip. Family I stayed with had a son about my age, they had lived in the US for a while before moving back to Spain. He didn’t miss much about the US but he mentioned multiple times how much he missed Dr Pepper, it was his favorite.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:52 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
When I was in high school I went to Spain for a month on a summer exchange trip. Family I stayed with had a son about my age, they had lived in the US for a while before moving back to Spain. He didn’t miss much about the US but he mentioned multiple times how much he missed Dr Pepper, it was his favorite.
posted by caution live frogs at 5:52 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm also a fan of (Cherry) Dr. Pepper Zero. I try to limit myself to two bottles/day because of the caffeine.
posted by Spike Glee at 5:55 AM on November 9, 2022
posted by Spike Glee at 5:55 AM on November 9, 2022
I saw this post before work this morning and it prompted recollections of Safeway Select's Skipper. However, the mention of it here as well as a cursory search during working hours where I could only find mentions of Dr. Skipper or The Skipper had me fearing some kind of Berenstein Bears/Berenstain Bears-like Mandela Effect in that I could have sworn it was simply Skipper absent an MD or PhD, but among the surprisingly high number of posts made over the single month of May 2008 on the blog Not Quite What the Doctor Ordered is one that confirms my memory of it simply being Skipper in the mid-to-late 90s.
(Another post reveals that "The Skipper" existed under the brand Homeland, which used to be Safeway in Oklahoma and northern Texas, and a post on another blog shows that it was also sold under the earlier Safeway house brand, Cragmont.)
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 6:06 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
(Another post reveals that "The Skipper" existed under the brand Homeland, which used to be Safeway in Oklahoma and northern Texas, and a post on another blog shows that it was also sold under the earlier Safeway house brand, Cragmont.)
posted by Strutter Cane - United Planets Stilt Patrol at 6:06 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
My wife LOVES Safeway's Dr. Dynamite, more than the original Dr. Pepper. It is the successor to the multiply aforementioned Skipper, and is sold under Safeway's Refreshe label. I haven't compared the two side by side, and I suspect that the possibility of doing so is extremely unlikely.
She picked up the habit in California. The issue is that we have lived in Orlando Florida for over a decade. For a brief year or so after the Safeway/Albertsons Merger, the three remaining Albertsons in Florida were converted to Safeways. We could get Dr. Dynamite again, along with a few other Safeway specific products that we loved. Safeway then sold them all off to regional titan Publix, so we were without again. We made a point of buying out every can in the store on our last visit before they closed.
A few years later we wound up going to the New Orleans area for a family thing. The Albertson's in Hammond, LA turns out to be the closest store to Florida that carries it. Again we bought as much as we could fit in the car.
Now Safeway and Kroger are merging (possibly, there seem to be anti-trust issues). There are no physical Kroger stores in Florida, but they do deliver. We are hoping that if the merger goes through, we can have access to them again.
We are in Orlando, so we do have friends visiting the theme parts from various points west who have access, but it seems improper to ask them to bring some with them for us since the weight issue can really mess with airline luggage, not to mention they potential for a pressurized can or bottle not surviving a flight in a depressurized cargo hold. Not that I think about it, I do have a friend coming out to EDC this weekend, so I may ask him for some, assuming Hurricane Nicole doesn't completely scrap his plans.
posted by Badgermann at 7:13 AM on November 9, 2022
She picked up the habit in California. The issue is that we have lived in Orlando Florida for over a decade. For a brief year or so after the Safeway/Albertsons Merger, the three remaining Albertsons in Florida were converted to Safeways. We could get Dr. Dynamite again, along with a few other Safeway specific products that we loved. Safeway then sold them all off to regional titan Publix, so we were without again. We made a point of buying out every can in the store on our last visit before they closed.
A few years later we wound up going to the New Orleans area for a family thing. The Albertson's in Hammond, LA turns out to be the closest store to Florida that carries it. Again we bought as much as we could fit in the car.
Now Safeway and Kroger are merging (possibly, there seem to be anti-trust issues). There are no physical Kroger stores in Florida, but they do deliver. We are hoping that if the merger goes through, we can have access to them again.
We are in Orlando, so we do have friends visiting the theme parts from various points west who have access, but it seems improper to ask them to bring some with them for us since the weight issue can really mess with airline luggage, not to mention they potential for a pressurized can or bottle not surviving a flight in a depressurized cargo hold. Not that I think about it, I do have a friend coming out to EDC this weekend, so I may ask him for some, assuming Hurricane Nicole doesn't completely scrap his plans.
posted by Badgermann at 7:13 AM on November 9, 2022
Dr. Pepper (and a splash of bourbon) is the key to amazing crock pot pulled pork.
posted by xedrik at 7:56 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by xedrik at 7:56 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
I like Dr Pepper, but I like all those other sodas too. I do find it hard to believe that anyone would say (and that their own advertising would say) that the Diet versions taste like the full-sugar versions because the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners is so different. But I can deal with them.
I actually like the Drinkulator machines that have extra cherry or vanilla, because Coke and Dr Pepper both are improved by flavorings. I've probably said this before, but I'm still miffed Dr Pepper hasn't added jalapenos, and made Dr Pepper Pepper, or Pepper Dr Pepper. Mountain Dew is a more fun company - they would have done it by now.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:22 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I actually like the Drinkulator machines that have extra cherry or vanilla, because Coke and Dr Pepper both are improved by flavorings. I've probably said this before, but I'm still miffed Dr Pepper hasn't added jalapenos, and made Dr Pepper Pepper, or Pepper Dr Pepper. Mountain Dew is a more fun company - they would have done it by now.
posted by The_Vegetables at 8:22 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Mountain Dew is a more fun company - they would have done it by now.
You don't say.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:30 AM on November 9, 2022
You don't say.
posted by uncleozzy at 8:30 AM on November 9, 2022
Throughout my childhood the only soda in the house was my dad's Diet Dr. Pepper.
He would keep a stein in the freezer to drink from. Drink most of the glass of Diet Dr. Pepper, leave 2-3 inches in the bottom, freeze it, repeat. The frozen chunk would be the ice for the next glass. It never totally melted.
We were NOT to drink his Dr. Pepper.
posted by shenkerism at 8:46 AM on November 9, 2022 [9 favorites]
He would keep a stein in the freezer to drink from. Drink most of the glass of Diet Dr. Pepper, leave 2-3 inches in the bottom, freeze it, repeat. The frozen chunk would be the ice for the next glass. It never totally melted.
We were NOT to drink his Dr. Pepper.
posted by shenkerism at 8:46 AM on November 9, 2022 [9 favorites]
Oh my as a Texan, Dr Pepper is my go to. Especially from a good fountain
Dr Pepper is available in the stores in Europe, but it really tastes like Dr Thunder. It took me 6 months to get over that before I could drink it. At this point, everyone in my office knows that if you’re going to North America, bring Liz a Dr Pepper back.
posted by LizBoBiz at 8:57 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Dr Pepper is available in the stores in Europe, but it really tastes like Dr Thunder. It took me 6 months to get over that before I could drink it. At this point, everyone in my office knows that if you’re going to North America, bring Liz a Dr Pepper back.
posted by LizBoBiz at 8:57 AM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
I love Dr. Pepper. I only have soda once or twice a week, and that's the one I want. I do find that if you buy the larger bottles, it seems to lose its carbonation faster than Coke. Not sure if that's true or just my impression, since I don't drink Coke all that often (see above).
Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smackers anyone?
OMG I forgot all about that. And now I'm back in 7th grade. Proust's Madelaines have nothing on Bonne Bell.
posted by Mchelly at 8:59 AM on November 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
Dr. Pepper Bonne Bell Lip Smackers anyone?
OMG I forgot all about that. And now I'm back in 7th grade. Proust's Madelaines have nothing on Bonne Bell.
posted by Mchelly at 8:59 AM on November 9, 2022 [5 favorites]
Only three imitators? But there are so many more!
Almost 100 knockoffs and no Doctor Goodwin?
The Zevia version is the best no-sugar Doctor. I only made it 1:30. Dude is annoying.
posted by mrgrimm at 9:12 AM on November 9, 2022
Almost 100 knockoffs and no Doctor Goodwin?
The Zevia version is the best no-sugar Doctor. I only made it 1:30. Dude is annoying.
posted by mrgrimm at 9:12 AM on November 9, 2022
"I don’t want any of these motherfuckers operating on me."
posted by mrgrimm at 9:37 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by mrgrimm at 9:37 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
It has to say something that even though the drink is categorized as a "pepper", marketing always leans on the Dr part for the knock-offs.....
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:01 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by OHenryPacey at 10:01 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
Previously (steviasly?) Metafilter (via chrismear) introduced me to Tay Zonday way back in 2007 via a Youtube ad for Diet Chocolate Cherry Dr. Pepper.
The web will destroy your TV AND your computer AND your brain's judgement in telling your pancreas to create insulin.
posted by not_on_display at 10:14 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
The web will destroy your TV AND your computer AND your brain's judgement in telling your pancreas to create insulin.
posted by not_on_display at 10:14 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
the only soda in the house was my dad's Diet Dr. Pepper
We had other soda in the house, but my dad's was Shasta chocolate! (/gag)
I do not see it in the current stable.
posted by Glinn at 10:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
We had other soda in the house, but my dad's was Shasta chocolate! (/gag)
I do not see it in the current stable.
posted by Glinn at 10:20 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
During my super poor years, I was always amazed at how Wal-Mart's Dr Thunder was very nearly as good as Dr Pepper, yet nobody has ever been able to make a Coca-Cola substitute worth a damn.
Conversely, Diet Dr Pepper was the only diet soda I was ever able to drink without gagging. All the imitations included.
posted by wierdo at 11:05 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Conversely, Diet Dr Pepper was the only diet soda I was ever able to drink without gagging. All the imitations included.
posted by wierdo at 11:05 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
re: socks as a service
it sounds ridiculous but it's worth looking at the details before uninstalling your internet. the appeal is that each sock is designed by a different independent artist, and also that 100% of the profits go to charity. the subscription model started as a way to estimate how many socks to order.
it's not exactly like signing up for a monthly delivery of hanes socks.
disclaimer: i have not joined but have considered it, because socks
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 11:11 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
it sounds ridiculous but it's worth looking at the details before uninstalling your internet. the appeal is that each sock is designed by a different independent artist, and also that 100% of the profits go to charity. the subscription model started as a way to estimate how many socks to order.
it's not exactly like signing up for a monthly delivery of hanes socks.
disclaimer: i have not joined but have considered it, because socks
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 11:11 AM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
I loved this video - there's just something fun about seeing someone enjoy something.
It took me years and years to realize that I actually don't like Dr. Pepper that much just because many people I know are such big fans of it. What have discovered I love is Dr. Pepper Cream Soda Zero. To me, it tastes like it always seems Dr. Pepper should taste: flavorful, soothing, and not too sweet. Sadly, it's strangely difficult to find despite being the optimized Pepper.
posted by past unusual at 11:12 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
It took me years and years to realize that I actually don't like Dr. Pepper that much just because many people I know are such big fans of it. What have discovered I love is Dr. Pepper Cream Soda Zero. To me, it tastes like it always seems Dr. Pepper should taste: flavorful, soothing, and not too sweet. Sadly, it's strangely difficult to find despite being the optimized Pepper.
posted by past unusual at 11:12 AM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
Dr. Pepper Zero is indeed excellent, but I can hardly ever find it in my area.
But while we're here, let's pour one out for the best variant ever, Dublin Dr. Pepper, crushed into oblivion just about a decade ago by Big Snapple.
posted by spilon at 12:04 PM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
But while we're here, let's pour one out for the best variant ever, Dublin Dr. Pepper, crushed into oblivion just about a decade ago by Big Snapple.
posted by spilon at 12:04 PM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
When I was a teen, our local grocery store had Dr. Thunder, which we affectionately called Dr. Chunder based on how it made you feel if you drank more than a glass of it.
posted by Zargon X at 12:39 PM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Zargon X at 12:39 PM on November 9, 2022 [1 favorite]
My favorite Dr Pepper facsimilie is Kroger's masterfully-titled The Fizzicist; it contains real sugar as an ingredient.
posted by JDC8 at 1:00 PM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by JDC8 at 1:00 PM on November 9, 2022 [2 favorites]
No idea if they still make Dr A+ or Dr Rocket. Those were both vile and I can't remember who marketed them.
Now, Dr Slice was pretty decent. Orange Slice and Dr Pepper mixed together in one convenient can. This actually existed, I swear.
None of em have anything on Dr Brown's Cel-Ray.
posted by SystematicAbuse at 1:08 PM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Now, Dr Slice was pretty decent. Orange Slice and Dr Pepper mixed together in one convenient can. This actually existed, I swear.
None of em have anything on Dr Brown's Cel-Ray.
posted by SystematicAbuse at 1:08 PM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
ooooooh I just discovered that the 7-11 near me has Dr. Pepper Slurpees.
posted by oneirodynia at 2:31 PM on November 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by oneirodynia at 2:31 PM on November 9, 2022 [8 favorites]
Coke is already the best Slurpee, I can’t imagine how good Dr Pepper is.
posted by uncleozzy at 2:58 PM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by uncleozzy at 2:58 PM on November 9, 2022 [3 favorites]
Yes! Dr Pepper slurpie in the summer is just the best!
posted by LizBoBiz at 12:10 AM on November 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by LizBoBiz at 12:10 AM on November 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
I remember being a little sad when The Skipper became just Skipper because my dorky kid brain found that awkward extra "the" hilarious for some reason. "Mmm, that The Skipper really hit the spot! Hand me another one of those The Skippers, would you?"
posted by USERNAME EXCEEDS MAXIMUM LENGT- at 8:15 AM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by USERNAME EXCEEDS MAXIMUM LENGT- at 8:15 AM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Years ago I noticed that the "B" letters on a can of Mr. Pibb are actually open at the bottom (as shown here)-- making them an Eszett, ß.
The German language uses these in places of two "s" characters (mostly, don't quibble). That makes the stuff actually "Mr. Pissss," and I haven't been very keen on it since then. Apparently I am not the only one, either, since the typography now uses "B" letters which are closed at the bottom.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:38 AM on November 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
The German language uses these in places of two "s" characters (mostly, don't quibble). That makes the stuff actually "Mr. Pissss," and I haven't been very keen on it since then. Apparently I am not the only one, either, since the typography now uses "B" letters which are closed at the bottom.
posted by wenestvedt at 9:38 AM on November 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
John Green is consistently enjoyable on tik tok, which came as a surprise to me as someone who knows him from presumably maudlin ya fiction. He’s warm and funny and seems like a good dude. His Anthropocene Reviewed podcast has similar vibes.
Seconding that Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers are elite not only because of flavor but they leave a very nice soft red tint on the lips.
posted by jeoc at 3:53 AM on November 11, 2022
Seconding that Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers are elite not only because of flavor but they leave a very nice soft red tint on the lips.
posted by jeoc at 3:53 AM on November 11, 2022
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