In a small saucepan combine 2 cups water, 1 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup light brown sugar, and 2 tablespoons corn syrup. Place over medium heat and stir until the sugars dissolve and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Do not boil vigorously. Simmer for 3–4 minutes to fully meld, stirring occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon caramel color (or a tablespoon of homemade caramel) to reproduce the deep color. Allow the syrup base to cool slightly while you prepare the flavor concentrate.

Flavor Concentrate

Prepare Flavor Infusion

If using dried cherry, place 1 tablespoon in a small bowl and cover with 2 tablespoons hot water; steep 5 minutes and then mash lightly and strain, reserving the liquid. Alternatively use 1 tablespoon cherry concentrate or 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry syrup.

To a small bowl or directly into the warm syrup, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/8 teaspoon almond extract, 1/4 teaspoon crushed star anise (or a pinch of anise), 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon, 1/16 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/16 teaspoon ground clove, and 1/16 teaspoon ground allspice. Add 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon orange zest. If you prepared cherry liquid, add it now (or add the maraschino cherry syrup).

Whisk these flavor ingredients into the warm syrup base so the extracts and spices bloom in the heat. Taste carefully: the concentrate should be noticeably aromatic and slightly stronger than you'd want in the finished drink (it will be diluted by carbonated water). Adjust small amounts of almond or cherry if you want a stronger cherry or nutty note.

Allow the combined syrup and flavor concentrate to cool to room temperature. Strain through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter to remove any solids or spice fragments to achieve a smooth soda syrup.

Carbonation & Serving

Assemble the Dr. Pepper-style Soda

Chill 4 cups (about 1 liter) of cold carbonated water. For each 8-oz (240 ml) serving glass, use 2–3 tablespoons of the prepared syrup (about 30–45 ml) depending on sweetness preference. For the provided quantities (syrup above makes roughly 2 cups/480 ml), mix about 4 cups carbonated water with 1/2 to 3/4 cup syrup to taste, or mix per-glass as preferred.

Fill serving glasses with ice to taste. Pour the measured syrup over the ice, then gently add cold carbonated water to preserve carbonation. Stir once gently to combine — avoid vigorous stirring which will flatten the soda.

Garnish each glass with 1–2 maraschino cherries and a lemon or lime wedge if desired. Serve immediately chilled.

Store any leftover syrup in an airtight jar in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Shake or stir before using; proportion syrup to carbonated water to taste when serving later.