Dr. Pepper Recipe
Make Dr. Pepper Recipe in just 15m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Soda Base
Flavor Blend (concentrate)
Garnish & Serving
Method
Prepare Flavor Blend (concentrate)
Combine flavor ingredients
In a small bowl or jar, combine the cherry juice, cola extract or cola-flavored syrup, almond extract, orange zest, lemon juice, dried herb (if using), ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground anise (if using). Stir or whisk until evenly mixed. This makes a concentrated flavor blend — about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons total.
Taste and adjust
Taste a tiny amount (a few drops) diluted with a teaspoon of water. Adjust sweetness or individual flavors: add a bit more cherry juice for fruitiness, more cola extract for cola backbone, or a touch more vanilla or almond for warmth. Remember flavors should be pronounced in the concentrate because they will be diluted by carbonated water.
Make Soda Base
Dissolve sugars with vanilla
In a small saucepan, combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of water (or enough to just wet the sugars). Warm over low heat, stirring, until sugars dissolve into a thin syrup (about 2–3 minutes). Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let cool slightly.
Combine syrup and carbonated water
Place ice in a tall glass. Pour the cooled sugar-vanilla syrup into the bottom of the glass. Add the carbonated water gently to preserve fizz (pour over the back of a spoon if desired). Do not stir vigorously.
Assemble and Serve
Add flavor concentrate
Stir the prepared flavor blend, then add about 1 to 1.5 teaspoons of the concentrate to the glass with the syrup and carbonated water. Gently stir once to incorporate. Taste and, if desired, add up to another 1/2 teaspoon to reach preferred intensity.
Notes: This recipe is a homemade interpretation intended to mimic the complex spicy-fruity profile of a Dr. Pepper-style soda. Adjust the concentrates and sweetener to taste; keep measurements small for the concentrate because concentrated extracts are potent. For a larger batch, scale proportionally and mix the concentrate ahead of time, storing it refrigerated for up to 5 days.