Feeling high levels of alertness after drinking a can of Dr Pepper? Well, you’re definitely not alone! If you ever wondered whether Dr Pepper has any caffeine and just how much of it, you’ve come to the right place.
Keep scrolling to find the answers you’re looking for!
Does Dr Pepper Have Caffeine?
Dr Pepper, like other popular carbonated drinks, does have some caffeine content. According to research, the caffeine content in a 12 oz can of Dr Pepper is roughly 42.6 milligrams, whereas a Diet Dr Pepper has about 44.1 milligrams.
In comparison, Coca-Cola has about 33.9 milligrams, Pepsi has 38.9 milligrams of caffeine, and you’ll find about 70–140 milligrams of caffeine in your standard cup of brewed coffee.
More Fizzy Dr Pepper Facts and Stats
Keep reading if you want to know more interesting Dr Pepper stats, including market share, popularity, and other related facts.
Dr Pepper owned 8% of America’s market share in 2020.
(Statista)
Unsurprisingly, Coca-Cola dominated the soft drink market that same year with a whopping 45% US market share.
The recipe for Dr Pepper is a well-kept trade secret.
(JustFunFacts)
You’ve probably heard this one for Coca-Cola, but a lesser-known fact is that no one really knows the recipe for Dr Pepper, either.
Allegedly, the recipe is kept as two separate halves in two different safes in Dallas banks.
There’s a caffeine-free variation of Dr Pepper.
(DrPepper)
If you’re trying to limit your caffeine intake, you can still enjoy the same Dr Pepper taste, only without the caffeine. You can also find a Diet Dr Pepper with no caffeine or calories.
Dr Pepper is the best-selling drink by Keurig Dr Pepper.
(Statista, KeurigDrPepper)
In 2020, total sales of Dr Pepper amounted to 596 million 192-ounce cases.
Other popular soft drinks made by Keurig Dr Pepper that also found their place on this list include 7UP, Crush, Sun Drop, and Schweppes.
Dr Pepper is the oldest major soft drink in America.
(Oldest, Mashed)
Invented in 1885 by pharmacist Charles Alderton, the recipe uses 23 different ingredients and flavors, including cola, cherry, licorice, blackberry, and more.
In comparison, Coca-Cola was created in 1886 as a substitute for morphine, whereas Pepsi first appeared in 1893 and is still the main rival to Coca-Cola.
In 2021, Keurig Dr Pepper made about $12.69 billion in revenue.
(Statista)
This is an increase compared to 2020 when net sales amounted to “just” $11.6 billion.
Note that Keurig Dr Pepper is a merger between the Dr Pepper Snapple Group and Keurig, which happened in July 2018.
You can order a Dr Pepper in 15.77% of restaurants.
(Tastewise)
Conversely, you can order Coca-Cola in 39.22% of restaurants. Likewise, you can find Dr Pepper in around 0.01% of recipes compared to Coca-Cola’s 0.02%.
Conclusion
So if you’re worried about your caffeine intake, you should keep in mind that the amount of caffeine in Dr Pepper places it on the higher end compared to other popular carbonated beverages.
And while we know it’s hard to resist, we still recommend you limit your daily intake for your health’s sake.
FAQ
How much caffeine does Dr Pepper have?
Dr Pepper can have anywhere from 40 to 60 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the serving size. In a 20 oz bottle, we’re looking at around 68 milligrams of caffeine.
Unfortunately, Dr Pepper also has around 40 milligrams of sugar per serving, along with other artificial sweeteners and preservatives, so if it’s a caffeine punch you’re after, you’d be much better off having a cup of coffee instead.
(Coffee Affection)
Which has more caffeine Dr Pepper or coffee?
Dr Pepper can have anywhere from 41mg to over 60mg of caffeine, depending on the serving. Conversely, you’ll find anywhere from 70mg to 140mg of caffeine in just one cup of brewed coffee.
In addition, regular black coffee contains no sugar and has potential health benefits. Hence, it’s a far better choice compared to a can of Dr Pepper.
(Coffee Affection)
How much caffeine does Diet Dr Pepper have?
Diet Dr Pepper contains 3.42mg of caffeine per fl oz, so it roughly has the same caffeine content as a regular Dr Pepper but with less sugar.
Interestingly, Dr Pepper variations, such as Diet Cherry and Cherry Vanilla, have a slightly lower caffeine content (around 39mg per 12oz.).
(Caffeine Informer)