Diet Dr Pepper Recipe

Prepare flavor concentrate

In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the diet cola syrup, cherry syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract and licorice/anise (if using). Stir thoroughly until homogeneous. These concentrated flavors form the backbone of the Diet Dr Pepper profile.

Taste the concentrate: dip a clean spoon and taste a small amount. The concentrate should be noticeably cherry-forward with detectable almond and vanilla notes. Adjust by adding up to an extra 1/4 tsp cherry syrup or 1/4 tsp vanilla if you want those notes stronger.

Add the liquid no-calorie sweetener drops to the flavor concentrate and stir. Start with 4 drops, mix, taste, then add up to 2 more drops if you prefer it a bit sweeter. Because concentrates and sweetener strength vary, adjust to your taste.

Stir in the lemon juice (phosphoric acid substitute) to the concentrate to add brightness and acidity that mimics the tang of commercial colas. Mix well and taste; add another 1/4 tsp lemon juice only if needed.

Fill a 12- to 16-ounce serving glass with ice (about 1 cup). Pour the carbonated water over the ice.

Pour the prepared flavor-sweetener-acid concentrate over the carbonated water. Stir gently once with a long spoon to combine. Stirring lightly preserves carbonation while distributing the concentrate.

Taste the assembled soda. If the flavor feels weak, add an additional 1/2 tsp of diet cola syrup or 1/4 tsp cherry syrup; if too sweet, add a splash more carbonated water. Adjust only in small increments to avoid flattening the soda.

Garnish with a maraschino cherry or a fresh cherry and optionally a lemon wedge on the rim.

Serve immediately while cold and fizzy. If you prefer it colder, pre-chill carbonated water and glass for best carbonation retention.