HARRISBURG (TNS) — Coke might be the No. 1 soda in the nation, but there’s a new runner-up.
For the first time, Dr. Pepper has replaced Pepsi as the second-best soda in the nation.
CNN reports that according to analytics from Beverage Digest, Dr. Pepper’s growing market share in 2023 pushed Pepsi from its longstanding spot since 1985.
Beverage Digest data shows Coke is in a healthy lead with 19.2% of the market share by volume, and Dr Pepper and Pepsi tied with 8.3%. But Dr. Pepper takes a slight lead.
Duane Stanford, editor of Beverage Digest, explained the numbers to CNN, sharing, “Dr Pepper has been gaining, [Pepsi] has been declining, and they’re meeting in the middle.”
Dr. Pepper’s fruit-forward, yet peppery flavor profile has grown in popularity over the years.
The soda was originally made in Morrison’s Old Corner Drug Store in Waco, Texas, and first served in 1885. While the recipe remains a secret, it is believed the recipe includes a proprietary blend of 23 flavors.
Recently, Dr. Pepper has been experimenting with new flavor profiles including a creamy coconut and strawberries and cream.
Following Dr. Pepper and Pepsi, other Coca-Cola brands rounded out the top five, with Sprite in fourth place at 8.1% and Diet Coke in fifth at 7.8%.
