Texans enjoy Dr Pepper in uniquely regional ways beyond just cracking open a cold can. You’ll find them adding salted peanuts directly into the bottle, heating it with lemon for a winter warmer, or savoring it at room temperature. At Baylor University, students gather for Dr Pepper floats served in crystal bowls. These traditions reflect Texans’ deep cultural connection to their beloved soda, which stretches back to its 1885 Waco origins.
Image: Holy-DYVR, Dr Pepper Dose 2024, CC BY-SA 4.0
The Origin Story: From Waco’s Drugstore to Texas Icon
When you sip that fizzy, distinctive Dr Pepper, you’re tasting a piece of Texas history that began in 1885. Pharmacist Charles Alderton created this unique beverage at a Waco drugstore, initially calling it simply “Waco” as he served it from the soda fountain to delighted customers.
The drink’s name changed when drugstore owner Wade Morrison suggested “Dr Pepper,” reportedly in honor of Dr. Charles T. Pepper, a Virginia physician whose daughter Morrison once courted. Despite helping develop the beverage, Alderton did not commercialize it himself—he passed the formula to Morrison and Robert S. Lazenby, a chemist and bottler.
This led to the creation of a company that would transform the local curiosity into an iconic Texas beverage. Today’s Dr Pepper maintains its secret blend of 23 flavors, which has remained largely unchanged since its invention.
Hot Dr Pepper With Lemon: Texas’ Beloved Winter Warmer
While most Americans associate Dr Pepper with ice-cold refreshment, Texans have cultivated a completely opposite tradition that transforms this soda into a comforting winter drink.
When temperatures drop, you’ll find it heated to around 180°F and garnished with a lemon slice, creating a warm, cider-like beverage that’s become a regional signature.
- Retains cherry and caramel notes when properly heated
- Sold at holiday markets and winter events across the South
- Blends tradition with comfort in true Texas fashion
You can easily make this winter classic at home. Simply heat—but don’t boil—your Dr Pepper, add a slice of lemon, and you’ll understand why generations of Texans cherish this sweet, steamy ritual.
The Campaign for State Recognition: Dr Pepper’s Push for Official Status
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Beyond its hot winter variation, Dr Pepper has been the subject of a grassroots campaign for official recognition. In recent years, fans have petitioned the Texas Legislature to declare it the “Official Soft Drink of Texas.” While the drink already holds unofficial pride-of-place status, a formal designation would affirm its historic connection to the Lone Star State.
Though owned today by Keurig Dr Pepper, headquartered in Frisco, Texas, the brand’s identity remains unshakably Texan. While no bill has passed yet, support continues to grow from both citizens and lawmakers. For most Texans, voting against Dr Pepper might be considered sacrilegious.
As with Texas’s more eccentric laws—like not allowing buffalo to be shot from hotel second floors—this campaign speaks to the quirky cultural pride of the state.
Baylor University’s Dr Pepper Hour: A Sweet Campus Tradition
Few traditions capture Texas pride like Baylor University’s “Dr Pepper Hour,” held every Tuesday in the Barfield Drawing Room. Students and faculty gather for free Dr Pepper floats, served with Blue Bell ice cream—often in elegant crystal bowls.
Since 1997, when Dr Pepper became Baylor’s official soft drink, this gathering has become a hallmark of campus culture. Students use the occasion to socialize with faculty, make connections, and indulge in their sweet tooth.
Here’s what makes it uniquely Texan:
- Just minutes from the Dr Pepper Museum in Waco
- Floats served in crystal dishes, elevating a simple treat
- A space where career advice and carbonated joy meet
Beyond the Can: Creative Ways Texans Enjoy Their Dr Pepper
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Have you ever seen a Texan drop salted peanuts into their Dr Pepper bottle? It’s not a gimmick—it’s a beloved tradition that dates back decades, offering a savory-sweet contrast perfect for summer road trips and small-town diners.
Other unique rituals include:
- Dr Pepper floats with Blue Bell vanilla ice cream
- “Hot Dr Pepper” with lemon in colder months
- Drinking it at room temperature, preferred by many locals
Just one pro tip: never add a period after “Dr” in Dr Pepper—it’s a dead giveaway you’re not from Texas. (The original trademark did not include the period.)
A Taste of Home: How Dr Pepper Connects Texans Across Generations
While creative rituals showcase Texans’ love for Dr Pepper, its deeper meaning runs much stronger—it’s a cultural symbol of home and heritage. For homesick Texans living out of state, one sip can feel like a warm hug from their childhood.
Why Dr Pepper means more than a beverage:
- Family gatherings often include recipes or floats passed down through generations
- Strangers bond instantly over their shared Texan love for the soda
- It delivers a nostalgic flavor that transports people to simpler times
To crack open a can of Dr Pepper is to participate in a tradition as deeply Texan as the state flag itself.
