Dr. Pepper Recipe

Name: The Pelican Post Bar & Grilles Dr. Pepper Recipe
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 4 cups carbonated water (soda water); 1 cups granulated sugar; 2 tbs light corn syrup; 2 tbs brown sugar (packed); 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tsp almond extract; 1 tsp anise extract; 0.25 tsp peppermint extract; 1 tbs lemon juice (fresh); 0.5 tbs lime juice (fresh); 1 tsp cola syrup or caramel color (for color, optional); 2 cups ice cubes; 2 each maraschino cherry or fresh cherry; 2 each lemon wheel (optional)

Inspired by The Pelican Post Bar & Grille

Time45m

Serves4

Make Dr. Pepper Recipe in just 45m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.

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Ingredients

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Soda Base

4 cups carbonated water (soda water)

1 cups granulated sugar

2 tbs light corn syrup

2 tbs brown sugar (packed)

1 tsp Watkins vanilla extract

1 tsp almond extract

1 tsp anise extract

1/4 tsp peppermint extract

1 tbs lemon juice (fresh)

1/2 tbs lime juice (fresh)

1 tsp cola syrup or caramel color (for color, optional)

Garnish / Serve

2 cups ice cubes

2 each maraschino cherry or fresh cherry

2 each lemon wheel (optional)

Method

Soda Base

Make a concentrated syrup

Combine the granulated sugar, brown sugar, and light corn syrup in a small saucepan. Add 1/4 cup of water (from the soda base total) to help dissolve. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring constantly until all sugar is dissolved and the mixture is glossy (about 3–5 minutes). Do not boil vigorously; you want a smooth syrup. Remove from heat and let cool for 2–3 minutes.

Add extracts and citrus

Stir the vanilla extract, almond extract, anise extract, peppermint extract, lemon juice, and lime juice into the warm syrup until combined. If using cola syrup or a drop of caramel color for authenticity of color, stir it in now. Taste carefully — the flavor should be complex and slightly spicy-sweet. Adjust extracts by small increments (1/8 tsp) if any note is too weak or strong.

Chill syrup

Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 30 minutes so flavors meld and the syrup is cold. The syrup can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Assemble soda

To make a single serving, measure 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) of the prepared flavored syrup into a tall glass. Add 1 cup of ice and slowly pour 1 cup of chilled carbonated water over the syrup so it fizzes and mixes. Stir gently to combine. Adjust syrup amount to taste: 3 tbsp for lighter, 5 tbsp for stronger.

Garnish / Serve

Garnish the glass with a maraschino or fresh cherry and a lemon wheel on the rim. Serve immediately with a straw.

For a pitcher (approximately 4 servings): combine 1 cup of the prepared syrup with 4 cups of chilled carbonated water in a large pitcher, gently stir to combine, add ice to individual glasses rather than the pitcher to preserve effervescence, and serve with cherries and lemon wheels.