Dr Pepper Recipe

Make sugar syrup

In a heavy saucepan, combine dark brown sugar, granulated sugar, and 1 cup of water. Heat over medium, stirring until sugars fully dissolve and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Let simmer 3 minutes to form a smooth syrup. Remove from heat.

Stir in caramel color and cane/molasses syrup while the syrup is still warm to integrate color and depth. Let cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, transfer the syrup to a clean jar. This is your sweetener/syrup base. Reserve.

Measure 6 cups of cold carbonated water into a large pitcher just before serving — carbonation is lost if mixed too early.

Prepare concentrated flavor blend

In a small bowl combine cherry concentrate, prune or date syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, orange oil/zest, lime oil/zest, crushed coriander, allspice, cinnamon, molasses and instant espresso powder. Whisk thoroughly until a uniform paste/syrup forms. If using zest instead of oils, muddle briefly with the back of a spoon to release oils.

For a smoother blend, you can warm the mixture very slightly (a few seconds in a microwave at low power or over a double boiler) to help dissolve thicker components, then cool it before combining with carbonated water.

Assemble drink (per 1 serving)

For each 8–10 oz (about 1 cup) serving: add 2 tablespoons of the sugar syrup base to a glass, then add 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the concentrated flavor blend (adjust to taste; the blend is potent). Add 1/8 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon combined lemon juice and vinegar (roughly 1 tsp total acid split between them per 6 cups; per serving use about 1/4 tsp), and a few ice cubes. Pour 1 cup (about 240 ml) of cold carbonated water over the mix, stir gently to combine. Taste and adjust — more flavor blend for stronger cherry/spice notes, more syrup for sweetness, or a few drops more lemon/vinegar for brightness.

If preparing a pitcher (6 cups carbonated water): combine all prepared sugar syrup base with the entire concentrated flavor blend and the acid components (1 tsp vinegar + 1 tsp lemon juice + 1/8 tsp salt). Stir gently into the 6 cups of chilled carbonated water just before serving. Keep chilled and serve over ice.

Garnish (optional): a maraschino cherry, a thin orange wheel or a twist of orange peel complements the finished drink.