Dr Pepper Recipe

Make concentrated flavor syrup

In a small bowl or jar, combine dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and the 2 tbsp cold water. Stir or shake until most sugar dissolves to form a thick sweet base. If needed, warm gently (no more than lukewarm) to help dissolve, then cool back to room temperature.

Add vanilla extract, almond extract, cola extract (if using), rum extract (if using), cherry syrup/ grenadine, lemon juice, orange juice, and molasses to the sweet base. Stir thoroughly until homogeneous. This is your homemade 'Dr Pepper' flavor concentrate. Taste and adjust: add another 1/4 tsp cherry syrup for more cherry forward flavor, or 1/4 tsp cola extract for more cola backbone.

Fill a tall glass with ice (about 1 cup). Pour the flavor concentrate over the ice.

Slowly add 1 cup (240 ml) very cold carbonated water to the glass. Stir gently once with a long spoon to mix the concentrate with the soda without flattening the carbonation.

Taste and adjust sweetness or acidity: if too sweet, stir in an additional 1/4 tsp fresh lemon juice; if too weak, add up to 1/2 tsp additional flavor concentrate (made from the same ingredients) and stir gently.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry and/or a lemon slice on the rim. Serve immediately while fizzy.