What gives Homemade Dr. Pepper its signature flavor?

The unique taste comes from a blend of warm spices, cherries, citrus peel, vanilla, and almond. When simmered together, they create a layered flavor that closely resembles the classic soda while letting you adjust sweetness and intensity.

Can you really recreate all 23 flavors at home?

You won’t match every note exactly, but you can get impressively close by combining spices like cloves, cinnamon, and star anise with fruit and citrus. The blend delivers the same sweet, spicy, and fruity balance found in the original drink.

Is Homemade Dr. Pepper healthier than store-bought?

It can be healthier because you control all ingredients. You choose the sweetener, skip high-fructose corn syrup, and avoid artificial additives, making your homemade version cleaner and more natural.

How long does homemade soda syrup last?

The syrup stays fresh for about two weeks in the refrigerator when stored in a clean, airtight jar. Shake it lightly before using to redistribute any settled spices or sugars.

homemade dr pepper – the ultimate bold guide you’ll love

Description

A rich, nostalgic Homemade Dr Pepper made from real cherries, warm spices, and citrus peel simmered into a deeply flavored syrup that blends perfectly with cold seltzer.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups water
1 cup coconut sugar or cane sugar
1 cup fresh or frozen cherries
1 cinnamon stick
4 whole cloves
1 star anise
1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
Peel from 1 orange
Peel from 1 lemon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon cracked peppercorns

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Instructions

Add water, cherries, spices, citrus peel, peppercorns, and ginger to a saucepan.
Simmer for 20 minutes until flavors deepen.
Stir in sugar until fully dissolved.
Add vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
Strain the syrup to remove solids and cool completely.
Chill syrup in the refrigerator.
Mix 1/4 cup syrup with 8 ounces cold seltzer and adjust to taste.

Notes

Use freshly opened seltzer for best carbonation.
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less syrup.
Store syrup in a sealed jar for up to two weeks.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Drinks
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 glass
Calories: 110
Sugar: 24
Sodium: 5
Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0
Unsaturated Fat: 0
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 28
Fiber: 0
Protein: 0
Cholesterol: 0