Homemade Dr. Pepper

Make your own soda at home! This Homemade Dr. Pepper is a fun, from-scratch version of the classic soda, made with a fruit, warm spices, and citrus zest. A delicious caramelly sweet beverage.

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Cooling Time 15

Total Time 30

Servings 1-ounce servings

Calories 126

Author Elizabeth

Equipment

Fine Mesh Strainer

Ingredients

Syrup

1 Cup Brown Sugar or agave
½ Cup Water
3 Cinnamon Sticks *see notes on subs
2 Star Anise *see notes on subs
2 Whole Cloves *see notes on subs
½ Piece Fresh Nutmeg *see notes on subs
1 Tablespoon Peppercorns
1” Piece Ginger peeled *see notes on subs
1 Teaspoon Orange Zest
Zest of 1 Lemon
Zest of 1 Lime
1 Cup Frozen Cherries or fresh
4 Prunes
Pinch Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1 Teaspoon Almond Extract
½ Teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar

Soda

1-2 Ounces Dr. Pepper Syrup (above)
Sparkling Water

Instructions

In a small saucepan heat the sugar, water, cinnamon, star anise, cloves, nutmeg, peppercorns, ginger, orange zest, lemon zest, lime zest, cherries, prunes, and salt. Bring to a boil, and cook, stirring, until the sugar is dissolved.
Remove from the heat and stir in the the extracts. Let cool for 15 minutes.
Strain the syrup using a fine mesh strainer.
Serve 1-2 ounces of the syrup over ice topped with sparkling water.

Notes

Spice Substitutions: as much as possible I do not recommend subbing ground spices in for the whole versions - they will not be strained out as well and leave sediment in the final drink. If you must sub, here's what I recommend:

Cinnamon: ¾ teaspoon
Star Anise: ⅛ teaspoon
Cloves: pinch - do NOT overdo this
Nutmeg: ½ teaspoon
Ginger: ½ teaspoon

Nutrition