MICHEL MARTIN, HOST:
OK - one of the country's most famous doctors is getting some long-awaited recognition.
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DAVID NAUGHTON: (Singing) I drink Dr Pepper, and I'm proud. I'm part of an original crowd, and if you look around...
MARTIN: Dr Pepper just surpassed Pepsi to become the second most popular carbonated beverage in America. Coca-Cola is still No. 1.
DUANE STANFORD: Coca-Cola classic has about 19% of the carbonated soft drink market in the U.S.
STEVE INSKEEP, HOST:
Duane Stanford is the editor and publisher of Beverage Digest.
STANFORD: So then in second place, you've got Dr Pepper, with an 8.3% share.
INSKEEP: Which is now a carbonated bubble or two ahead of Pepsi.
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UNIDENTIFIED MUSICAL GROUP: (Singing) Dr Pepper - so misunderstood. It tastes different...
MARTIN: Now, Dr Pepper used to market itself as the plucky underdog of soft drinks, but it is actually older than Coke or Pepsi. It was invented in Waco, Texas, in 1885.
STANFORD: It started off as a regional brand in the Southwest, and it grew over the years, and it's the major national player.
INSKEEP: Which Duane Stanford credits to Dr Pepper's targeted marketing.
STANFORD: They've gone really big on college football. On any given weekend during the championship bowl series, you'll see Dr Pepper.
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UNIDENTIFIED ACTOR #1: There you are - college football playoff trophy, presented by Dr Pepper. You are like the Greek god of trophies - classic.
INSKEEP: (Laughter).
MARTIN: I know. The soft drink also has a strong presence on TikTok, where Dr Pepper and pickles has become a thing. Here's TikToker Anna Grace Sims.
ANNA GRACE SIMS: The pickles are in there - I even put some pickle juice in there for good measure - and here goes the Dr Pepper. It's not bad. It's weird, but it's not bad.
INSKEEP: Now, that's a standard for you - weird...
MARTIN: I'll take her word for it.
INSKEEP: ...But not bad.
MARTIN: Yeah.
INSKEEP: Duane Stanford says Dr Pepper has gained ground also because of the choices by the rival it just passed.
STANFORD: Pepsi has invested more in their zero-sugar offerings, and not as much in Pepsi cola. They believe that's the future when it comes to carbonated soft drinks.
INSKEEP: So Pepsi cola's down, Dr Pepper is up - and Stanford anticipates Dr Pepper will stay in second place.
MARTIN: So cheers to Dr Pepper, but OK - the pickles. I...
INSKEEP: No.
MARTIN: The pickles.
INSKEEP: Yeah.
MARTIN: Yeah.
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NAUGHTON: (Singing) I'm a Pepper. He's a Pepper. She's a Pepper. We're a Pepper. Wouldn't you like to be a Pepper, too? Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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