The soft drink first introduced in 1885 at a drug store in Waco, Texas, was Dr Pepper. Brooklyn-born pharmacist Charles Alderton formulated it while working at Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store, where he experimented with flavors for the soda fountain.
Alderton first served the drink to store owner Wade Morrison, who approved of it. Customers soon began ordering the beverage, reportedly calling it a “Waco.” Morrison eventually gave it the name Dr Pepper, although the reason for the name remains uncertain and several origin stories circulate.
Dr Pepper predates Coca-Cola by about a year. It was initially sold locally before receiving national exposure at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis. Early advertising made exaggerated claims that the drink could aid digestion and restore energy, reflecting the era’s connection between pharmacies and carbonated beverages.
The formula remains a closely guarded trade secret. Despite a persistent rumor, Dr Pepper does not contain prune juice; its flavor comes from a proprietary blend of natural and artificial flavors.