While people may think of Coca-Cola or Pepsi when it comes to the title of best soda, I would like to put forward another candidate: Dr. Pepper. 

Dr. Pepper is my all-time favorite soda — the original and its other flavors — and has been for a number of years now. 

On June 4, Dr. Pepper overthrew Pepsi as the United States’ second favorite soda. Pepsi has confidently held this title since 1985. I think that this has been a long time coming for Dr. Pepper. I have always preached that it was the best, and to see it overthrow one of the most popular sodas was gratifying.

The reason I think that Dr. Pepper is so delicious is because of its unique blend of 23 flavors. In comparison to other sodas, which often play on the base flavor of Coke, Dr. Pepper is completely different.

One of the main complaints I’ve heard from people about not liking Dr. Pepper is that it already tastes so much like cherry. My grandmother often voices this argument to me, saying that when she drinks it, it tastes just like the cough syrup she took when she was a kid.

I think that must have been some pretty tasty cold medicine.

However, when I was growing up, I was partial to Cherry Coke and by extension, Wild Cherry Pepsi and Dr. Pepper Cherry. But to this day, I think that while both Coke and Pespi’s version of the cherry flavored soda are good, they do not compare to Dr. Pepper.

I do not know what it is, but there is something so addicting about Dr. Pepper, and I’m not mad about it. There are a lot of stereotypes online of “Dr. Pepper girls” and their weird obsession with the drink.

I am proud to report that I am one of those girls. Any time I go to a restaurant, I know exactly what I want and end up being disappointed when they don’t carry it.  Which is crazy because who doesn’t have Dr. Pepper? Applebees, I’m looking at you.

Dr. Pepper is a staple in my dining plans, and I rarely have any meal without a can or glass. But McDonald’s is the best for fountain poured. I have yet to find a problem that a McDonald’s Dr. Pepper couldn’t solve.

While my rate of consumption has gone down in recent years, I still think of myself to be as obsessed with the drink now as when I was growing up. I love seeing it get the recognition it deserves.

I have dreams that Dr. Pepper will become the number one most popular soda in the United States or the whole world. I doubt they will become a reality. Coke is a national favorite, and I don’t see it falling from that pedestal any time soon. 

But if Coke was to ever be dethroned, it would have to be for Dr. Pepper.

Boggess can be reached at [email protected].