When the icy 30-degree temperatures hit North Texas, residents immediately think of where to grab a warm beverage.
Some opt for coffee. Others may go for tea or hot chocolate.
However, there was a time when some Southerners had a hankering for something a bit more homemade. All they needed for this special winter drink was a saucepan, a lemon and Dr Pepper.
You read that right. Hot Dr Pepper was once a Southern favorite.
An anonymous reader who'd heard of this drink and wanted to know more about its history asked Curious Texas: What’s the history of hot Dr Pepper? The reader had heard that the drink originated in Oak Cliff.
The question is part of Curious Texas, an ongoing project from The Dallas Morning News that invites you to join in our reporting process. The idea is simple: You have questions, and our journalists are trained to track down answers.
You can submit your Curious Texas questions in the form below or send them by texting "DMN" to 214-817-3868. Follow the prompts and introduce yourself to us, share your story or questions, and we’ll text you with information as we report the story.
The hot Dr Pepper recipe got its start in the 1960s, according to The News' archives. At least that's when advertisements for the recipe first popped up in magazines and on television.
Someone suggested that the Texas-based soda could be heated in a sauce pan and served on winter days. However, the inventor’s identity is unknown. It’s also unclear where they lived, so we can’t be sure if the beverage really is a product of Oak Cliff.
The drink was, however, very popular in the South.
There are several stories that try to explain why someone decided to heat the Texas cola. Some say it was a marketing ploy to sell more Dr Pepper in the winter, because people were less likely to down a frosty drink when it's cold.
Others claim the recipe has medicinal roots and was prescribed as a children’s version of a hot toddy.
No matter its origin, the drink has been a North Texas staple for decades. It was once sold at Dallas' Cotton Bowl and at holiday celebrations in Mesquite and other North Texas cities, according to The News' archives.
It may have fallen out of style at public events, but it is always in season in your own kitchen. The News' archives have the recipe for the perfect mug of hot Dr Pepper.
First, you need to find Dr Pepper that’s made with Imperial pure cane sugar. Using one made with corn syrup could result in a bitter drink. Once you put the Dr Pepper in the saucepan, make sure to not completely boil the soda. According to Dr Pepper’s website, the recommended temperature is 180 degrees.
Once you’ve heated the soda, Dr Pepper recommends you place a thin slice of lemon at the bottom of the mug and enjoy.
Our archive recipe adds that you can mix in a spirit of your choice if you’re in the mood for a toasty adult beverage.
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