We Tried Dr Pepper’s New Strawberries and Cream Flavor and It’s Berry Basic

Drink up, we’re in the golden age of creative—and sometimes crazy—big-name sodas. The latest “they-added-what?” bubbly beverage is Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream. It adds a fruity twist to Dr Pepper & Cream Soda, which was introduced in 2020.

It wasn’t that long ago that Dr Pepper tried to get us all to try hot Dr Pepper, 1960s-style. I’m leaving that recipe in the past along with white lipstick, though I might try the Dr Pepper pot roast, or the two-ingredient Dr Pepper cupcakes.

The holidays saw the introductions of Pepsi Nutmeg Royale and Mountain Dew Fruitquake. Dr Pepper has created some of the more creative choices in recent months, including a bourbon-inspired Dr Pepper, and the return of Dr Pepper Dark Berry.

Now, I’m a big fan of strawberries in general. Why should cherry and raspberry have all the fun? So of course, I had to try Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream.

What Does Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream Taste Like?

The company describes strawberries and cream Dr Pepper as “the original 23 flavors of Dr Pepper swirled with layers of refreshing strawberry flavor and a smooth, creamy finish.”

The most interesting thing about that sentence is not the strawberry part, but rather the fact that Dr Pepper supposedly has 23 flavors. What… are they? Spicy cola? Cinnamon? Raisin?

The internet claims to have figured it out, and in a purely unauthorized list that appears all over the web, names amaretto, almond, blackberry, black licorice, carrot, clove, cherry, caramel, cola, ginger, juniper, lemon, molasses, nutmeg, orange, prune, plum, pepper, root beer, rum, raspberry, tomato and vanilla.

Tomato? Carrot? What even is happening here? This does not sound like a doctor who actually went to medical school, if you ask me.

Here’s What I Thought

Courtesy Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream smells light and fruity when you crack open a can, with a natural strawberry scent, not an overwhelming, “Ack get that fake fruit out of my nostrils!!” aroma. The scent reminded me of ordering cherry Cokes from those rare old-fashioned diners that actually mix them up fresh for you at the counter.

The taste wasn’t as strawberry-heavy as the scent. When you sip the drink, there’s just a light edge of strawberry flavor. In fact, if I were really ordering this at a counter, I might have asked for another squirt of strawberry syrup. I can taste it, but barely. It’s not like you’re rolling around in a strawberry patch.

The strawberry taste isn’t any stronger in strawberries and cream Dr Pepper Zero Sugar. In fact, if it wasn’t for the inevitable this-is-a-diet-soda aftertaste, I literally could not have told the two drinks apart. You won’t be missing any strawberry sweetness if you opt for the zero-sugar version.

I like Dr Pepper just fine, but I can’t see going out of my way to select strawberries and cream Dr Pepper over the basic beverage. If you’re a Pepper—meaning you love the OG Dr Pepper, in all its 23-flavor glory, then you’re gonna like the strawberries and cream concoction. Same for the zero sugar variety.

I had to wonder if Dr Pepper did any blind taste tests where they put their regular drink next to the new strawberry variety and if any of the testers could tell the two apart. The new flavor is fine, but it’s berry, berry similar to regular Dr Pepper.

Where Can I Get Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream?

If Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream sounds like your jam, you’re in luck. The fresh new flavor isn’t temporary as it’s been added the brand’s permanent lineup. So even if you haven’t seen it on your store shelves yet, it should be sprouting there sometime in February. Depending on your location, you might be able to grab it on Instacart.

You’ll be able to get Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream Regular in 12-ounce 12-packs plus 20-ounce bottles. Dr Pepper Strawberries & Cream zero sugar will be offered only in 12-ounce 12-packs. Pick a pack, and see for yourself.