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August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
Civic Viewpoint.
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Everyday Life • Food & Drink

Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink first created in Waco, Texas, in the 1880s and now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

Dr Pepper is a carbonated soft drink created in Waco, Texas, in the 1880s, now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper. It is known for its distinctive, hard-to-classify flavour and is often sold as a non-cola soft drink.

What it is

Dr Pepper was invented in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. It was first marketed nationally in the United States in 1904. The brand is now owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, formed in 2018 through a merger.

Taste and caffeine

Dr Pepper has a unique flavour often described as a blend of fruit, spice, and caramel-like notes, based on a proprietary 23-flavour formula. A standard 12 fl oz can contains about 41 mg of caffeine. It is generally not classified as a cola, but as its own soft drink category.

In Canada

Dr Pepper is sold in Canada and is familiar to Canadian consumers as a mainstream imported soft drink brand. It is available in many grocery stores and convenience outlets across the country.

In short

  • Created in 1885 in Waco, Texas, by Charles Alderton.
  • Owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, a publicly traded company.
  • Distinctive 23-flavour blend, not a cola.
  • Contains about 41 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz can.
Canadian angle

Dr Pepper is sold in Canada and is familiar to Canadian consumers as a mainstream imported soft drink brand.

Quick questions

Who owns Dr Pepper?
Dr Pepper is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper, a publicly traded beverage company.
How much caffeine is in Dr Pepper?
A standard 12 fl oz can of Dr Pepper contains about 41 mg of caffeine.
Is Dr Pepper a cola?
It is generally not classified as a cola; it is treated as its own soft drink category.

Sources

  1. CompaniesHistory — https://www.companieshistory.com/who-owns-dr-pepper/
    Supports: Current ownership by Keurig Dr Pepper; merger background
  2. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr_Pepper
    Supports: Created in the 1880s by Charles Alderton; origin in Waco, Texas; introduced in 1885
  3. Dr Pepper Museum — https://drpeppermuseum.com/history/
    Supports: History, Waco origin, creation in 1885
  4. Tasting Table — https://www.tastingtable.com/1968720/is-dr-pepper-coke-or-pepsi/
    Supports: Ownership by Keurig Dr Pepper; not Coke or Pepsi; origin and early history