6 Differences Between Dr Pepper in the UK & the US

Dr Pepper is a popular soda drink that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It has a fruity taste that both the UK and the US can enjoy. But did you know, they’re not quite the same?

What are the Differences Between British and American Dr Pepper?

Despite Dr Pepper being the same drink in both the UK and the US, there are some differences to point out. We found six of them to share with you, so without further adieu. 

1. Taste

Dr Pepper in the UK has a slightly sweeter and more fruity taste than Dr Pepper in the US. This is because Dr Pepper in the UK is made with real sugar, while Dr Pepper in the US is made with high fructose corn syrup. 

High fructose corn syrup is a sweetener that is made from corn starch. It is cheaper to produce than real sugar, but it has a different flavour.

Some people describe the taste of Dr Pepper in the US as being more artificial and less complex than the taste of Dr Pepper in the UK. Others say that the taste of Dr Pepper in the US is simply sweeter.

2. Ingredients

The main difference between the ingredients of Dr Pepper in the UK and the US is the use of real sugar versus high fructose corn syrup. 

Other than that, the ingredients are very similar. Both versions of Dr Pepper contain carbonated water, caramel colour, natural and artificial flavours, phosphoric acid, potassium citrate, and sodium benzoate.

Not to mention, Dr Pepper’s sugar servings are drastically different. The UK has a small 4.3g of sugar, while the US has 39g.

3. Popularity

Dr Pepper is more popular in the US than in the UK. In the US, Dr Pepper is the third most popular soda drink after Coca-Cola and Pepsi. In the UK, Dr Pepper is the eighth most popular soda drink.

However, if we look at monthly searches for “dr pepper” we can see that America has over 800% more monthly searches than the United Kingdom. With the UK having 14.8K monthly searches, and the US having a staggering 135K monthly searches.

4. Flavours

In addition to the original flavour, there are a number of different flavours of Dr Pepper available in the US, including Cherry, Vanilla, and Cream Soda. However, only the original flavour of Dr Pepper is available in the UK.

The UK Dr Pepper also has a Zero version. Whereas, the US Dr Pepper has Diet instead of Zero, and a Caffeine Free option.

It’s worth noting however that if you disregard the cans, you can get the majority of other flavours of Dr Pepper in the UK. In restaurants such as Burger King and Five Guys, the drinks machines allow you to customise your drink. 

5. Where It’s Sold

Dr Pepper is sold in a variety of stores in both the UK and the US. However, it is more widely available in the US than in the UK. In the US, Dr Pepper is sold in most grocery stores, convenience stores, and fast food restaurants. 

In the UK, Dr Pepper isn’t as widely available in fast food restaurants when compared to the US. Dr Pepper is sold in McDonald’s in America and many other chains. While Dr Pepper is not available at McDonald’s in the UK, it is available in other restaurants such as Burger King and Five Guys.

6. Owners

In its European and South Korean markets only, Dr Pepper is owned by Coca-Cola- which owns other soft drink brands such as Fanta. While in the US and everywhere else, Dr Pepper is managed by Keurig Dr Pepper company.

Final Thoughts from UK vs. USA

Dr Pepper is a popular soda drink that is enjoyed by people all over the world. However, there are some key differences between Dr Pepper in the UK and in the US. 

Dr Pepper in the UK is sweeter and more fruity, and it is made with real sugar instead of high fructose corn syrup. Dr Pepper is also more popular in the US than in the UK.