Dr Pepper with Pickles: My Review and Recipe
Ever heard of Dr Pepper with pickles? It might sound like a joke, but people are actually drinking this odd combination—and loving it. The idea of mixing a sweet, fizzy soda with salty, tangy pickles seems completely wrong. Yet, the internet is obsessed, and people are calling it “surprisingly good.”
So, what’s the deal?
I put this “Dr Pepper with Pickles” viral trend to the test, and the results were not what I expected. If you’re curious about what it tastes like, why it’s so popular, and how to make it the right way, you’re in the right place.
Keep reading—I promise this is one drink review you don’t want to miss.
Dr Pepper with Pickles Review

Alright, so I finally caved and tried Dr Pepper with pickles—and wow, I have thoughts. This is one of those trends where you either love it or you spit it out immediately. Here’s what I think:
Category | Rating |
Taste | 6/10 |
Texture | 7/10 |
Aroma | 5/10 |
Uniqueness | 9/10 |
Aftertaste | 6/10 |
Overall Enjoyment | 7/10 |
Taste – A Strange but Addicting Combo?
If you want to know what Dr Pepper with Pickles tastes like, then note this: First, you get the familiar Dr Pepper sweetness, but then the sour, salty, vinegary pickle flavor punches through. It’s super tangy, a little spicy, and kinda shocking.
I’ll be honest: the first sip threw me off. It was weird. But then, I took another sip. And another. And suddenly, I didn’t hate it.
It actually reminded me of eating something sweet and salty at the same time—like dipping fries in a milkshake. Sounds wrong, but kinda works. If you like bold flavors and don’t mind weird food combos, you might actually enjoy this.
Texture – Crunchy Pickles in Fizzy Soda?
If you just add pickle juice, the texture stays normal. But if you actually drop whole pickle slices into your Dr Pepper? Let me tell you: It gets really weird, really fast.
At first, the pickles are crisp, and biting into one while sipping soda is kind of fun. But leave them sitting too long, and they turn into mush. It’s like they soak up the Dr Pepper and lose their crunch.
If you’re going to try it, drink it fast before the pickles get soggy.
Popularity – Where Did This Even Come From?
Believe it or not, this isn’t just a TikTok trend. People in the South have been mixing pickles with sodas (especially Coke) for years. Some say it started as a way to make drinks more refreshing in the hot summer. Others just like the salty-sweet combo.
Recently, TikTok blew up with videos of people trying it, and now everyone is curious. Some people swear it’s amazing. Others gag instantly. In my opinion, it’s about a 50/50 split.
Is it a real Southern tradition or just an internet joke? Maybe both. But either way, it’s fun to try.
Personal Preference & Drinkability – Would I Drink This Again?
Here’s the truth: I probably wouldn’t make this a regular thing. I didn’t hate Dr Pepper with Pickles. It’s actually kind of addicting in a strange way. But Dr Pepper is already perfect on its own, and the pickles take away from what I love about the drink.
That being said, if you love pickles and love bold flavors, you might actually enjoy it.
Final Verdict?
Would I recommend it? For the experience—yes. For everyday drinking? Not really. But hey, food trends are all about trying something new, and this one is definitely worth a taste.
If you love unusual drinks like Dr Pepper with pickles, you might enjoy the Paradise Sunset Sonic Drink—here’s my full review on whether it lives up to the hype.
Why Do People Like Dr Pepper with Pickles?
Dr Pepper with pickles is popular because it has both sweet and salty flavors. Plus, the trend has Southern roots, where salty snacks and soda are a tradition. It also exploded on TikTok, where people try it for fun and curiosity.
Sweet & Salty Combo
People naturally enjoy the combination of sweet and salty. It enhances flavors and makes food more exciting. That’s why things like salted caramel, chocolate-covered pretzels, and fries dipped in milkshakes are popular. Dr Pepper with pickles follows the same logic.
Southern Influence
Mixing salty snacks with soda isn’t new. In the Southern U.S., people have been putting peanuts in Coca-Cola and eating pickles with soft drinks for decades. The idea is that the salt balances the sweetness and makes the drink more refreshing.
This trend likely comes from that tradition. In some small diners, it’s common to see a pickle spear served alongside a bottle of soda. People in the South enjoy salty and sweet pairings.
TikTok Virality
TikTok thrives on strange food trends, and Dr Pepper with pickles became one of them. People saw others reacting to it and wanted to try it themselves. Some love it, some hate it—but that’s exactly why it spread so quickly.
Social media fuels trends like this because people want to see shocking reactions. Whether it tastes good or bad, it gets attention. The more people post about it, the more others want to try it. That’s how a simple idea turned into a nationwide conversation.
Whether you love or hate Dr Pepper with pickles, there’s always something new to try! Check out my full review of the Summer Skies Drink, including its calories and price.
Dr Pepper with Pickles Recipe

Making Dr Pepper with pickles is easy, but choosing the right pickles matters. Some are too sweet, while others blend well with the soda. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Choose the Right Pickles
Not all pickles work well with Dr Pepper. The wrong choice can ruin the drink. Here’s what works best:
Pickle Type | Recommended? | Details |
Dill Pickles | Recommended | The best option. The saltiness balances the sweetness. |
Spicy Pickles | Recommended | Adds a little heat, which can make the drink more interesting. |
Bread & Butter Pickles | Not Recommended | Too sweet. It competes with the soda and makes it overwhelming. |
If you’re unsure, start with just a small amount of pickle juice before adding actual pickles to see how you like it.
Step 2: Mix the Drink
There are two common ways to make this:
- Whole Pickles in Dr Pepper – Drop a pickle spear into a glass of cold Dr Pepper. Let it sit for a minute, then take a sip. This method gives the soda a mild pickle taste and lets you eat the pickle as a snack.
- Pickle Juice + Dr Pepper – Add one tablespoon of pickle juice to a glass of Dr Pepper and stir. This spreads the flavor evenly and gives the entire drink a salty, tangy kick.
If you like it, you can add more pickle juice to make the flavor stronger.
Step 3: Adjust the Flavor
If the pickle taste is too strong, add more Dr Pepper to balance it. If you want to experiment, I suggest using different types of pickles or even adding pickle-flavored ice cubes.
Some people also mix Dr Pepper with spicy pickles or pickled jalapeños to add extra heat. It’s all about adjusting the drink to match your taste.
Conclusion
Dr Pepper with pickles may not be for everyone, but it’s an unforgettable experience. Whether you love it or hate it, there’s only one way to know for sure—you have to try it yourself.
- It’s a bold mix of sweet and salty flavors that surprises many.
- Some people swear by it, while others think it’s just a viral trend.
- The best way to try it is by adding a little pickle juice first.
- It’s part of Southern culture, where soda and salty snacks go together.
- If you like adventurous flavors, this might be your new favorite drink.
At the end of the day, food trends are all about having fun and trying something new.