Dr. Pepper Surprise Mocktail is a fizzy mix of Dr. Pepper, ginger ale, and maraschino cherries. My daughter and I threw it together one afternoon when she was about 10, using what we had in the fridge. The surprise? The cherries, plus a splash of their juice stirred right in. We were just goofing around, but she still calls it Dr. Pepper Surprise and still makes it for herself today.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Only 4 ingredients (plus ice) - No special shopping. You probably have most of it right now.
- Cherry flavor in every sip - The cherry juice gets stirred into the soda, so the cherry isn't just on top.
- Kids can make it themselves - No stove, no knives. Mine always snuck in extra cherries.
- A fun drink everyone can have - It's alcohol-free, so the kids get a fancy drink at holidays and parties too.
Dr. Pepper Surprise Mocktail Ingredients
- Dr. Pepper - The base of the drink. Its sweet, spiced flavor goes great with cherry.
- Ginger Ale - Lightens the Dr. Pepper and adds extra fizz, so it's not as heavy as straight soda.
- Maraschino Cherry Juice - The secret. It's what gives the whole glass that cherry Dr. Pepper taste. Start with 2 teaspoons and add more if you like.
- Maraschino Cherries - The "surprise" on top. Kids usually want more than three!
- Ice - Keeps it cold, but you'll need less if everything is chilled first.
Mom Tip
Chill everything first: the Dr. Pepper, the ginger ale, and the jar of cherries. Cold soda stays fizzy longer and you need less ice, so the drink doesn't get watered down. When you pour, tip the glass and pour slowly down the side to keep the bubbles.
Dr. Pepper Surprise Mocktail FAQs
Either way works. If the ice goes in first, pour the soda slowly down the side of the glass. If the ice goes in last, drop the cubes in gently so the drink doesn't splash or fizz over.
Yes! There's no stove and no knives, just pouring and stirring. My kids loved making their own, and they always added a few extra cherries.
We've only ever made it fresh, one glass at a time, right before drinking. That's how I recommend it so it stays fizzy.
Storing Dr. Pepper Surprise Mocktail
This drink is made fresh, one glass at a time, so there aren't any leftovers. Keep the sodas and the jar of cherries in the fridge so everything is cold and ready whenever someone wants one.
If your family loves fun drinks, try my Virgin Shirley Temple, another cherry favorite from my own childhood. The Fizzy Fresh Strawberry Lemonade also uses ginger ale for its fizz. And for brunch or holidays, my Virgin Mimosa is just as easy.
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Complete Recipe
Dr. Pepper Surprise Mocktail
Ingredients
- 4 ounces Dr. Pepper chilled
- 4 ounces Ginger Ale chilled
- 2 teaspoons Maraschino Cherry Juice
- 2-3 Maraschino Cherries
- Ice
Instructions
- Pour the Dr. Pepper into a glass.
- Add the ginger ale.
- Add the maraschino cherry juice and stir gently.
- Add ice, dropping the cubes in gently so the drink doesn't splash. (Or add the ice first and pour the sodas slowly down the side of the glass.)
- Top with 2-3 maraschino cherries.
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