Dr Pepper Flavors and Products

The sharp hiss of a tab being popped, the frost on the outside of a very cold bottle--and then refreshing Dr Pepper bliss. Dr Pepper has been around since 1885, and in the 120-plus years of its existence it has continued to gain loyal followers who are quick to glare when someone has the audacity to suggest that Mr. Pibb is basically the same thing (it's not).

In the past decade Dr Pepper has begun to play with different flavors and products to expand its line, and while none of them induce quite the same passion as the original, they're still delicious and worth trying for any true Dr Pepper fan.

Dr Pepper Red Fusion

Dr Pepper Red Fusion was on the shelves in most areas for less than a year, its popularity fizzling quickly after its introduction in 2002. The drink was a fruitier version of the original DP with a cherry flavor and a reddish hue, but reviewers complained that the taste difference was minimal. It's unlikely that Dr Pepper will ever bring back this flavor flop, but if you want to convince them you can sign a petition at Petition Spot.

Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper

Dr Pepper tried again (and more successfully) with Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper, which hit store shelves in 2004 and is still available in some areas. It's part of the "Soda Fountain Classics" line, and you can spot it by its bright red-and-yellowstriped box. The beverage featured a stronger cherry flavor and hints of vanilla, and also was released in diet.

Dr Pepper Berries and Cream

Dr Pepper Berries and Cream was the second release in Dr Pepper's "Soda Fountain Classics" line, but after being released in 2006 it met the same fate as Dr Pepper Red Fusion. The super-sweet beverage and its diet counterpart didn't make a splash with Dr Pepper lovers and was quickly discontinued.

Diet Chocolate Cherry Dr Pepper

In its quest for ridiculous sweetness, Dr Pepper released Diet Chocolate Cherry Dr Pepper in November 2007 and discontinued it six months later.

Dr Pepper Cherry

Dr Pepper's biggest flavor success so far has been Dr Pepper Cherry (which also comes in a diet version). It has a strong cherry flavor and a slightly smoother taste than original DP, and the Kiss ad campaign (with Gene Simmons and Mini Kiss) helped skyrocket its popularity. It was created to draw in Dr Pepper drinkers who wanted a sweeter version of the beverage, and it worked!

Dr Pepper for Purists

Of course, for years Dr Pepper was sweetened with cane sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup, and Dr Pepper purists will have it no other way. While for years only the bottling plant in Dublin, Texas, manufactured the cane-sugar version (which can be ordered online or found at Central Market), in 2009 Dr Pepper released a "heritage" addition in cans that is sweetened with sugar. The cane sugar version of Dr Pepper certainly does have a sweeter taste and a less fizzy mouth feel, but its unarguably a more authentic beverage experience.

Dr Pepper Abroad

Though Dr Pepper is primarily popular in the south, it has its fans all over the world--including England and Japan! In the UK you can even get Dr Pepper Zero--much like Coke Zero, it has no calories and no diet-y taste.

The Newest Member on the Beverage Roster: Dr Pepper Ten

Dr Pepper's newest diet drink, Dr Pepper Ten, has been released in six test markets, including Austin and San Antonio. The new beverage only contains ten calories and promises full Dr Pepper flavor without a diet aftertaste. If Dr Pepper Ten does well in the test markets, it could be released everywhere later this year.

Soda Not Enough? Get More Dr Pepper Flavor with These Products

• Jelly Belly produces a Dr Pepper jelly bean
• Dr Pepper slurpees can be found in select convenience stores
• You can keep your pucker moist with Bonne Bell Dr Pepper Lipsmacker
• Kisko makes Dr Pepper freezer pops
• You can make summer cookout something special with Dr Pepper Sweet & Kickin' Barbecue Sauce
• Brach's Soda Poppers hard candy provide long-lasting Dr Pepper flavor