Dr Pepper is now as popular as Pepsi. It's still shrouded in mystery.
What year was Dr Pepper first introduced, and where did its creation take place?
Dr Pepper was first introduced in 1885 at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas. It was created by pharmacist Charles Alderton, who was inspired by the intermingled scent of various fruit syrups used to flavor sodas at the drug store.
Who was the pharmacist credited with the creation of Dr Pepper, and what inspired him to create this unique blend?
The pharmacist credited with the creation of Dr Pepper is Charles Courtice Alderton. Born in Brooklyn, New York, Alderton was working at Morrison's Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, when he created the beverage in 1885. His inspiration for the unique blend of 23 flavors came from the intermingled scent of the various fruit syrups used to flavor sodas at the drug store's soda fountain3. Noticing that customers were tiring of the traditional flavors of sarsaparilla, lemon, and vanilla, Alderton began experimenting with new flavor combinations, eventually settling on the distinctive mix that would become Dr Pepper.
What are the current market share percentages for Dr Pepper and Pepsi, and how do they compare to Coca-Cola's market share?
Dr Pepper and Pepsi are currently tied as the second-best-selling sodas, each representing 8.3% of the soda market. Coca-Cola is ahead with a 19.2% market share.