Tequila and Dr Pepper is a two-ingredient highball: 2 ounces of tequila over ice, topped with 4 ounces of cold Dr Pepper and a wedge of lime. That is a 1:2 ratio; stretch it to 1:3 with more soda if you want it lighter. Adults of legal drinking age only, please drink responsibly.
This is written up from Occasional Cocktails' tequila and Dr Pepper, with my adaptations noted in the card; the main one is squeezing the lime in rather than leaving it on the rim. I have not taken this through my own kitchen yet, so treat the ratio as a starting point.
Is there a name for tequila and Dr Pepper?
Not one I can source. Most recipes simply call it tequila and Dr Pepper, and the named drink people usually mean when they put tequila with Dr Pepper is the Dr Pepper margarita, which is shaken with triple sec and lime and only topped with soda. The closest established relative of this highball is the Batanga, tequila, lime juice and cola in a salted glass, credited to Don Javier Delgado of La Capilla in Tequila, Jalisco, in 1961. The Batanga is made with cola, not Dr Pepper, so a Dr Pepper version is a twist on it rather than the real thing, which is why I call the salted rim here optional.
Does tequila go with Dr Pepper?
I would expect it to, with lime. Dr Pepper is sweet and leans toward cherry, vanilla and spice (the 23 flavors), and without something sour the drink can turn syrupy, which is why the lime matters more here than in a whiskey highball. A blanco tequila should keep it bright and let the soda lead, while a reposado's oak should sit closer to the soda's caramel. Both are my expectation, not a tasted result.
| Pour | Tequila | Dr Pepper | Add |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard (1:2) | 2 fl oz | 4 fl oz | Lime wedge (the source recipe) |
| Longer (1:3) | 2 fl oz | 6 fl oz | Lime squeezed in (my adaptation) |
| Salted rim | 2 fl oz | 4 fl oz | Lime and half a salted rim, Batanga-style (my adaptation) |
How is it different from a Dr Pepper margarita?
A Dr Pepper margarita is a margarita first: tequila, triple sec and fresh lime juice shaken over ice, with a splash of Dr Pepper on top. This is the reverse, a long drink where the soda is most of the glass and needs no shaker. Make this one when you want something quick; make the margarita when you want a proper cocktail.
For other spirits, see Jack and Dr Pepper, spiced rum and Dr Pepper, Dr Pepper and vodka and Dr Pepper and Fireball. Every pairing is in the Dr Pepper drinks and cocktails guide, and everything else is in the Dr Pepper recipes.
Frequently asked questions
How much tequila do you put in Dr Pepper?
About 2 ounces of tequila to 4 ounces of Dr Pepper over ice, a 1:2 ratio. If that tastes too strong, add up to 2 more ounces of soda for 1:3.
What tequila is best with Dr Pepper?
A blanco is the simple choice and keeps the drink crisp. A reposado adds a softer, oakier note. I would skip a very smoky mezcal, which I would expect to clash with the soda's sweetness.
Can you use Dr Pepper Zero Sugar?
Yes. Dr Pepper Zero Sugar or Diet Dr Pepper works the same way and cuts the soda's sugar. With a sugar-free soda and plain tequila, the lime does more of the balancing.
Does tequila and Dr Pepper have caffeine?
Yes, from the Dr Pepper. Keurig Dr Pepper's product facts give approximately 41 mg per 12 fl oz can, so 4 to 6 ounces carries roughly 14 to 21 mg. The CDC notes that caffeine does not reduce the effects of alcohol, so pace yourself.
