Dr Pepper Just Released a Limited Edition Soda That’s Supposed to Taste Like Barrel-Aged Bourbon
Updated: Feb. 06, 2023
Dr Pepper bourbon soda? This, we've got to try.
Dr Pepper bourbon soda? Well, kind of. The beverage brand is now offering a limited-edition drink called Dr Pepper Bourbon Flavored Fansville Reserve. And even though bourbon is the inspiration for the drink… it’s not alcoholic.
Dr Pepper has always bubbled away separately from Coke and Pepsi, with its sharper flavor, that goofy name (with no period after the Dr), and more creative ad campaigns. I grew up in the 1970s, and there was a brief period of time when every kid on the playground was singing the “I’m a Pepper!” jingle.
You can make pot roast with Dr Pepper, and some people actually drink hot Dr Pepper. There was a dark berry Dr Pepper variety introduced earlier this year, too, along with a Strawberries and Cream Dr. Pepper. So if any beverage was going to go all out and create a bourbon beverage, it makes sense that it’s the good doctor.
Dr Pepper Bourbon Soda, But No Alcohol?
That’s right. The drink does come in a very cool-looking silver can with a vintage-looking label that resembles a bourbon bottle, but it’s 100 percent non-alcoholic. If you need a refresher, this is the difference between bourbon and whiskey.
It’ll be interesting to see how Dr Pepper bourbon soda manages to evoke the flavor notes of bourbon without any alcohol. Lack of alcohol aside, it certainly sounds like it’s meant for grown-ups. I wonder if it’ll become an ingredient in cocktails, or even spiked ice cream floats?
What Does the Dr Pepper Bourbon Soda Taste Like?
I’ll report back on the taste once I get a sample, but for now, here’s what the company says it tastes like: “Dr Pepper Bourbon Flavored Fansville Reserve is a non-alcoholic beverage inspired by the tailgate and crafted for fans with one-of-a-kind flavor that evokes sweet, savory, and woody notes with subtle hints of cherry, vanilla, chocolate and caramel depending on the sipper that are sure to delight the palate.”
That’s…a lot of flavor notes for one soda can. Sounds a bit more like an ice cream sundae than bourbon, but hey, bring it on.
When Can I Get It?
You can get a can right now—but do you feel lucky? To get a can to try at home, you have to win one. Interested Peppers should log in or enroll in the drink’s Pepper Perks program, redeem points, and play a scratch-and-win game to try and win a can of the Dr Pepper bourbon soda.
The drink is a limited-time offering, and only available while supplies last, even though the promotion will be running till November 17. So if it’s your cup of soda, give the game a try now!
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Brownie Bourbon Bites
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Ginger Mint Julep
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I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma
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My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania
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The subtle tang of cranberry and the warm winter spices make this bourbon just right for holiday toasts—neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. —James Schend, Deputy Editor, Taste of Home.
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Mint and bourbon give this drink a bit of a Kentucky kick, and ginger ale makes it a fizzy party punch.—Cathy Justus, Taylor, Michigan
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Bourbon Ham Balls
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A smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It's a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York
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Cinnamon apple pie baked in a cast iron skillet is a real stunner. This beauty, with its flaky, tender crust, also works in a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate. —Renee Schettler Rossi, New York, New York
Dr Pepper Drumsticks
If you love Dr Pepper as much as I do, try it in my barbecue sauce for grilled chicken. It adds zip to the ketchup, bourbon and barbecue seasoning. —Shannon Holle-Funk, Venedy, Illinois And for a bourbon-flavored drink, try this Dr Pepper bourbon.
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I worked in a health club where bagels arrived daily, so I experimented with leftovers. I wasn’t a bread pudding fan until I tried it with bagels. —Kathy Hawkins, Gurnee, Illinois
Rhubarbecue
This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It's a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Molasses-Bourbon Pecan Pie
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At our holiday parties, Bourbon Slush is definitely a favorite. Have fun experimenting with different teas when you make it. We like black tea, green tea and orange spice. —Darcene Sigler, Louisville, Ohio
Vidalia Onion Relish
Burgers and brats get the star treatment with this sweet onion topping. Bourbon adds a lovely caramel note, and the crushed pepper flakes turn up the heat. —Janet Roth, Tempe, Arizona
Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Smoky and sweet flavors come through in every bite of this Kentucky-style ham. Since I found this recipe, it’s the only ham I make. —Sue Schiller, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
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Everyone in my family loves this recipe and its sweet marinade with ginger, pineapple and a splash of whiskey. Want even more intense flavor? Let the chicken marinate for two full days. Wow! —Jodi Taffel, Altadena, California
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