There are certain advantages to being an old fart. I've been drinking legally since I was 18, for one thing. And I was lucky enough to have owned a 1970 Mustang Mach I which was still new enough not to have needed restoration and which I purchased from the original owner for $1000. I had a lot of fun in that car. And I remember what soda pop tasted like in the days before high fructose corn syrup took the place of sugar as the primary beverage sweetener.
That's why when PepsiCo releases limited-edition "throwback" sodas, I always try to buy a few cases. Like the recent limited-edition 125th-anniversary formulation of Dr. Pepper, made with real sugar as it's creator Charles Alderton intended.
There is such an amazing difference between sugar-sweetened and HFCS-sweetened Dr. Pepper that one can hardly believe that it's supposed to be the "same" drink. Gone is the overpowering, cloying sweetness of the corn syrup; instead the complex flavor profile of Dr. Pepper shines through and you can actually taste the root-beer-like base, vanilla notes, and stone fruit elements. I realize that it's a little ridiculous to be describing a soft drink as though it were being served at a wine tasting, but there ya go. This product is true Dr. Pepper. The corn syrup version is an imitation.
If you're too young to have had real Dr. Pepper from yesteryear, you should at least pick up a single can at a convenience store and try it out. Even better, buy a can of both the Throwback and today's standard Pepper and taste them side by side. I think you'll be astonished as well.
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Correct, Dave. Nothing beats the original formula Dr. Pepper. As a kid, I would search all of the inventory on the grocer's shelves in hopes of finding an occasional six-pack bottle with the circular 10-2-4 Dr. Pepper logo. Great memories. [sample image]http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150479377504
ReplyDeleteOh hell yes! I will look for this. Thanks for the heads up!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was at a business conference I filled my luggage full of pure cane sugar "Dublin" Dr Pepper, I can't get enough of the stuff. The Anniversary Dr Pepper is great too, but tastes slightly different and has some kind of aftertaste making it less enjoyable than the real thing from Texas. I don't know if the ingredients are different, or if the different type of sugar actually affects the flavor that much. Either way, it's great to not have to fly to Texas to get real sugar soda!
ReplyDeleteYou are RIGHT ON, Dave! After tasting the Heritage Dr Pepper I had to have MORE! I went to the Dublin, TX website and ever since have ordered my Dt. Pepper's ONLINE!! I get 4 cases at a time and sit back and ENJOY the taste of yesteryear! The cost works out to be about the same as what I'd pay at the convenience store so it's a win-win!
ReplyDeleteAw man, I wish I had seen these around. I bought a couple twelve packs of Pepsi throwback and a few Mountain Dew... but Dr Pepper is my favorite soda.
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