There’s something undeniably charming about vintage advertisements, especially those from the 1950s. You know the ones – showcasing gleaming mid-century modern homes, complete with a perfectly coiffed homemaker in pearls, and the smooth sounds of Sinatra spinning on a record player. It’s a world you can almost taste, a picture you want to step right into. Driven by this retro fascination, I’ve explored my fair share of vintage recipes, from wobbly Jell-O molds to cheesy fondues. So, when I stumbled upon some delightful 1950s and 1960s Dr Pepper ads promoting a warm Dr Pepper holiday beverage, my curiosity was piqued. I had to give this retro concoction a try.
Vintage-style advertisement for warm Dr Pepper Winter Warmer, a retro holiday drink recipe.
Making Your Own Warm Doctor Pepper
The recipe is surprisingly straightforward. Simply heat Dr Pepper until it reaches 180°F. Then, pour it into a mug and garnish with a thin slice of lemon. (The vintage ads suggest adding rum for a “Schuss-Boomer,” but I opted for the non-alcoholic version). Intriguingly, some of these classic Dr Pepper ads even recommended using Diet Dr Pepper for this warm beverage. To thoroughly investigate this retro trend, I purchased regular Dr Pepper, Diet Dr Pepper, and Dr Pepper Cherry to put each to the warm test.
The Taste Test: Warm Doctor Pepper – Yay or Nay?
As I heated up the various Dr Pepper iterations, my husband couldn’t help but chuckle and retreat from the kitchen, clearly skeptical. However, I was committed to giving this vintage drink experiment a fair chance. The allure of uncovering a forgotten retro gem was strong! Unfortunately, the outcome across all varieties was largely as anticipated – these iconic sodas are definitely crafted to be enjoyed cold.
Warm Regular Dr Pepper
Regular Dr Pepper fared the best in this heated experiment. The distinctive spiciness that sets Dr Pepper apart from other colas like Coke or Pepsi softened only slightly with the warmth. The flavor profile shifted, becoming somewhat reminiscent of a melted Tootsie Roll, with the lemon slice contributing a refreshing burst of citrus. Closing my eyes, I attempted to transport myself to a 1958 holiday gathering, envisioning myself sipping this warm concoction from a delicate teacup by the fireplace, “Volare” playing softly, and partygoers debating the merits of Eisenhower.
While I appreciate a good cup of hot tea and have certainly enjoyed an Irish coffee or hot toddy in my time, the thought of finishing an entire mug of warm Dr Pepper was unappealing. After a few exploratory sips, I set it aside, mostly untouched.
Warm Diet Dr Pepper
Warm Diet Dr Pepper was unequivocally unsuccessful. An artificial aftertaste, undetectable in its chilled counterpart, became prominent and unpleasant. Bleah is indeed the appropriate descriptor. This experiment was swiftly concluded.
Warm Dr Pepper Cherry
Surprisingly, warm Dr Pepper Cherry emerged as my husband’s unexpected favorite. “I could actually see drinking this at a party,” he admitted. “It reminds me a bit of mulled wine. Though, I’m not really a fan of mulled wine myself, but I know some people are!” Interestingly, a Taste of Home reader is a known enthusiast of mulled hot Dr Pepper, although reviews on its appeal remain divided.
Will Warm Doctor Pepper Grace My Holiday Menu?
In short, likely not. None of these warm Dr Pepper variations are poised to become a staple on my party drink menu. If, hypothetically, Ricky or Lucy Ricardo were to offer me a cup at a festive gathering, I would politely accept, take a token sip, and discreetly seek a nearby rubber tree plant for disposal before enthusiastically joining any impromptu conga lines. For a Dr Pepper-infused holiday beverage, I’d likely steer towards Dr Pepper bourbon instead – a decidedly more modern and arguably more palatable approach.
