Distilling Alcoholic Dr Pepper

[@GNP3WP3W]

Chemistry note for you, a bunch of flavorings are oil based and form an azeotrope with water in a process called steam distillation. Adding ethanol to the mixture possibly “breaks” the azeotrope leaving the flavorings in the still. It may be better to do a steam distillation of the dr. pepper alone and then add ethanol after to get a stronger flavor

[@KnightShift006]

Dr pepper make your own natural ingredients

[@KnightShift006]

Dirty (Bomb) Dr pepper

[@ACogInTheWheel]

Was contemplating how you could get a more concentrated Dr. Pepper flavor and remembered working in restaurants and how the soda machines worked. Basically, all of the sodas are sold in syrup form and then the machine adds soda water and mixes it. Maybe if you could get your hands on some of that syrup, you could get higher flavor concentration from the get go. That's my theory, at least.

[@chubbichicken]

That was fun! Just a note, your link to the air still is actually a link to the modern rogue videos- don't want you to miss out on that $$!

[@StillIt]

Im sorry man I messsed it up. Fixed now: amzn.to/32W56I9

[@chubbichicken]

Cha ching! 😆

[@scottwright388]

Wouldn't you like to be a pepper too!

[@benjaminmonken4028]

Dr. Pepper is nicknamed "Texas Barbeque Water" down south in USA. But it was designed by a pharmacist in Waco Texas as a cure for stomach aches (Coca-Cola being made by a doctor as a cure for headaches) and was then sold to a local pharmacy as a drink. Then became carbonated on their soft drink dispenser and is what we know today. Dr. Pepper is still today one of the only drink companies that has never had a franchise and still retains ownership even though it is now bottled and distributed by Coca-Cola. In the USA it is the only soft drink you can get from both PepsiCo and Coca-Cola. It's prominent flavor out of all 23 is Prune And does take up the majority of the flavor concentration (63% if I remember correctly). I have loved it since I was a wee young lad and always will lol.

[@abockrath]

In the North (I'm in Ohio) Dr. Pepper is bottled/distributed by Pepsi. I am really curious to get to the South and see Dr. Pepper in a coke bottle.

[@jerrykinnin7941]

DR PEPPER/7up bottling company. In Louisville KY. Somehow tied into RC Cola.

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@abockrath Its in the same bottle. They license that too. BTW I have never heard DP called Texas Barbecue Water and I have been from VA to FL over the years. Maybe in Texas. I do know there is a BBQ recipe that involves DP

[@TheGroundedCoffee]

Great ad lol

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@TheGroundedCoffee This is not me in any way nor anyone I know. Just want to make that clear. Its just to point out the exact one I have. There are a lot of variations out there. Make sure its all stainless and has the variable controller.

[@luiscastaneda5481]

I used an old Dr pepper syrup barrel as a fermentation vessel for my last rum and the rum came out with that same kind of undertone of Dr Pepper I picked it out right away because I am a regular DrPepper guy

[@StillIt]

Oh dude that would be tasty as!

[@olinseats4003]

Here's a thought. Do a non-alcoholic distillation of Dr Pepper to get the flavor bomb. Then you could just add it to a distilled spirit to lower ABV in place of water. Or soak an oak stave in it, dry it, then use it to age something (like a rum)

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Or just mix Dr Pepper with booze. We're trying way too hard to make a simple drink. Cola and booze. TWO INGREDIENTS. NO STILL REQUIRED.

[@elid7907]

you've missed the point of these meme spirits

[@tygonmaster]

@@hxhdfjifzirstc894 Yes, but even then: what booze, what apv, etc. Even if you make a cocktail like you are describing (because, yes, it would be a cocktail and NOT a distilled spirit like....well the entire point of the channel), there are still things to consider.

[@steveo89]

I'm from Washington State and I'm drinking a Dr.Pepper as I watch this. Love the stuff lol. Awesome video

[@StillIt]

haha ayyyeee nice!

[@joeledwards6587]

I'd bet that this would be perfect to have the 40% distillate as the alcohol mix and then dash it with a fresh Dr Pepper and some ice, that will really blend the flavours in well and make for an easy drinking alcoholic soda. nice

[@tygonmaster]

At that point, it is just a cocktail. Probably better tasting, but not a distilled spirit in the end. It would be a cocktail.

[@thomasnewman295]

After the run, your dunder may have been the concentrated flavor profile that you were seeking. As the wash was clean (just spirit and soda) I would think that the dunder should be tasty and perhaps a few mils into distillate would yield a very interesting outcome.

[@Not_Built_For_This_World]

When I moved to Waco Texas, I discovered it was invented there by a pharmacist and there's even a museum to it. Lol It's the first soda ever invented and if you can get a hold of the pure syrup, it makes a great remedy for an upset stomach when you pour it over crushed ice and sip it slowly. Probably the ginger and cola that settles the stomach.

[@JosephPingleton]

You may be loosing flavor due to the Fischer-Speier Esterification reaction. Without alcohols present, you may be able to get a Dr. Pepper distillate easily, but with the addition of ethanol and other alcohols, you may be transforming flavor into esterified compounds that aren’t aromatic in the same way.

[@StillIt]

Hmmmmm that is a solid point! It was very fleeting the first time around.

[@Themassaman1]

@@StillIt My favorite reaction from o-chem

[@jeremylastname873]

Good observation.

[@jameshaulenbeek5931]

We need to try to get Jesse together with Nigel (from NileRed)... something very fun would come out of that!

[@Big_Spicy_Burrito]

That was an amazingly well thought through comment well done 👏🏻

[@RogueSmithersCouple]

Dr Pepper floats are the bomb. Still love root beer floats. Dr. Pepper cake AND 7up cakes are amazing. Dr. Pepper warmed is the best, removed the carbonation and makes taste better.

[@guynicklin271]

Dr. Pepper can be described SIMPLY as "The Nectar of the Gods" and can be left at that!!!

[@sethsummers5888]

dr pepper is my favorite whiskey mixer. i love to freeze my cheaper whiskey and put it in a cup about half inch and fill the rest with dr pepper

[@rothmcroth]

I tried to make a Dr. Pepper Twizzler mead a few years ago and it was an unmitigated failure, so I feel you on this one.

[@atropabelladonna12]

Dr. Pepper has always tasted to me like a cross between root beer and cherry cola.

[@splitcoin123]

2nd

[@jeredrice5594]

This test needs to be done again by actually fermenting the Dr Pepper.. really curious as to how this would turn out!

[@BEAVERDIY]

My Father in law adds yogurt flavoring just before his spirit run on his Sugar wash runs and it adds tons of flavor to the end product. Super videp

[@frederickheard2022]

We grew up in Texas calling Dr. Pepper “prune juice”, so I laughed a little too loudly when you said the only aromas were cherries and prunes.

[@fourdeadinohio8303]

lol....same in Ohio.

[@stevemeiners2226]

Same in So Cal. "Carbonated prune juice".

[@ryangaskin4796]

Must be a North Texas thing

[@auger8451]

@@ryangaskin4796 I e lived in south texas, north texas, currently central texas. I’ve never heard of this before.. never heard it called prune juice. And I’m nearly 40..

[@BillMcGirr]

Lol…🤣 I actually like Dr. Pepper every now and then… But when I lived down south I REALLY liked Cheerwine… I can’t get it up north. But I’m not sure I want to distill either.🤷‍♂️🤣🤣🤣👍🥃

[@michellewilt4479]

My wife was a Dr Pepper nut until she got pregnant, now the baby won't let her drink it and only wants cherry coke. I find it to be a little too sweet for my taste, but it is one of the very few super sweet sodas that I can sometimes drink. But that being said, a Dr Pepper vodka sounds amazing. Alcohol to cut the sweetness, the sweetness to offset vodkas rubbing alcohol taste... This was a fun experiment to watch and I hope you keep trying when ever you're able and have a surplus of Dr Pepper that you can spare to further experiment with.

[@StillIt]

Have you had a smokey Dr pepper? That's the goods. Something like Laphroaig.

[@michellewilt4479]

@@StillIt I have not, but I will have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@MrCoco2344]

@@StillIt that sounds delicious what kinda wood would you recommend for someone in the United States to smoke it with?

[@MattGarZero]

Dr. Pepper is delicious. Really shows what you can accomplish with an advanced degree.

[@rolliebrewer530]

You can buy Cola or flavored soda pop syrups online and eliminate the carbonated water from the mix

[@MostlyInteresting]

I got one of these air stills off fleaBay for 75USD, VELVOR brand. Its all stainless top and bottom inside and the best thing of all is it has a PID temp control. Works a treat.

[@mrp1015]

Have you used it yet? I was looking at that exact still and intrigued as to how well it works.

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@mrp1015 Done a lot of H2O, we go through a gal a week, and one wash. The wash was just a sugar wash, it was not that tasty but that was not the fault of the unit, likely the cheap baking yeast . I am going to do a basic molasses and brown sugar wash next, with DADY and see how that turns out. 3 or maybe 5 gal if I feel frisky and do 3/5 stripping runs. You set the temp to just over methanol and wait and then crank it up to just over ethanol.

[@adamparisi745]

Sounds like I have the same unit. Find it a bit of a pain to use as it's not a constant temp, rather it heats up to target temp then turns off, turning back on when it drops a bit in temp. I think I'm going to rip its smart bits out and just use a power regulator to control the element. Or just wait a few months until I have room to build a better still. Been using Birdwatchers wash for it and it comes out ok, I'd just like to cut still time down.

[@MostlyInteresting]

@@adamparisi745 Mine with the PID control has a 3 digit display, up/down and on/off buttons. Since you can run it with the top off it can also double as a small souse vide. :)

[@adamparisi745]

@@MostlyInteresting Yep, definitely same unit.

[@candyflip6345]

I love how the DNA spiral on your T-shirt goes down into the glass of distilled spirits.

[@J.Dr.]

If you can get a hold of some of the syrup for soda fountains, that might work better. You could also try boiling down the soda to syrup as well.

[@debodragon7425]

Dr.pepper is the drink choice or nectar of the Gods basically!

[@sheldoniusRex]

My cousin literally calls Dr Pepper, "nectar of the gods."

[@nathanessary4498]

I wondered if you took the Dr Pepper syrup that you can get for soda fountain machines and fermented it then distilled it would it work better?

[@Brandon-yq1tm]

no, consesus is that any soda fermented is usually terrible

[@jasonsummit1885]

If it was made with real sugar instead of HFCS then it should, in theory, work. Don't know for sure, but that's my best guess.

[@Westtxcowboy100]

@@jasonsummit1885 You can get dr pepper with real sugar!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

Just add it to booze. Or regular Dr Pepper and booze. IT'S SO SIMPLE. NO WORK AT ALL.

[@megapint1626]

Next time, put the DP into a thumper instead of the still.

[@phz7107]

I found after infusing a nice potato vodka with garlic for a few days nothing paired better with it than a fresh cold can of Dr pepper, absolutely amazing

[@TheBeauski11]

I wouldn't give up on the Dr. Pepper influence. I mesquite smoked 10% barley in a bourbon mash and had 0 smoke flavor coming off the still....2 months later, it was like drinking a campfire...there may be hope for the Dr. Pepper influence yet!

[@Toddis]

New viewer here I love your laugh, and your passion for this is very evident

[@Q_The_Rabbit]

I got the idea from this to add yeast & nutrients to DP, let it ferment, & AirStill-It ;) Curious to see what happens. I think the starting pH will be key.

[@tautology_zero]

I did this a while back with Irn Bru. But I did it the lazy way, by reducing the Irn Bru to a syrup and then adding to standard vodka. And then, I carbonated it for maximum effect. I had the right colour and mouthfeel, but came out rather perfumy in flavour.

[@dankehrig3419]

My veins were filled will Dr Pepper as a teenager/young adult!

[@MrTXWolfie]

Ok have a tip for you and saving your open soda/beer can. Take you plastic food store bag and roll it up and then fold that in half and then in half again. Then squeeze the folded bag till it fills the hole. The bag will expand and give your can a good seal ad it will stay fresh.

[@jasonsummit1885]

I'd suggest you get Dr. Pepper syrup and a neutral spirit and mix them. That's the only way I can see where it went wrong. There is already a whole lot of water in the soda, so that would affect the distillation in that it would water down the liquor beforehand. I can't speak from experience as I have none. Just a suggestion for next time.👍

[@davidjunek6114]

Born and raised in Texas and still my go to in Hawaii

[@shelladdition]

23 flavors baby! Dr pepper was king when i was growing up.

[@magic2174]

i cant remember who said it but i agree that Dr Pepper "tastes like a sexy battery" and i love it also, an idea for meme spirits: Pumpkin spice brandy made from pumpkin wine

[@TonusStoneshield]

As a Texan I'm glad somebody else enjoys our BBQ water.

[@mickeytylerofficial]

Here in Canada Dr.Pepper is pretty popular. It's the king of pop (soda) in my opinion. Amazing mixed with Crown Royal Canadian whiskey.

[@immu2261]

"Dr Pepper is hard to get here" We need to send this man a few cases!

[@phillipmaxwellastrology2978]

My other thought is this, all modern sodas come in a dense syrup form for fountain drinks. To use it they simply combine the syrup with carbonated water to make the soda. So if you could get the concentrate that might be strong enough to infuse into the alcohol (or perhaps it would have to be diluted but not like normal). Although to make it really worth your while, you'd probably want a setup so that you could make Dr. Pepper with the concentrate and have a very long supply of it for yourself.

[@1972prem]

Keep going with these experimental videos - they are a good watch

[@andyn3532]

Dr pepper goes well with amaretto or cherry brandy or both for that matter for a cherry bakewell vibe

[@YuriChan-428]

I am here in Czech Republic, currently drinking mixed drink of Dr Pepper and vodka, I really like it. Yes, we have Dr Pepper available easily, but it is a bit expensive for my liking. 1.7 Euro for 1.5 liter bottle?! Kofola, which is local herbal and licorice Cola, is half the price! But hey, Dr Pepper is unique, so for that reason, I do buy it sometimes.

[@brandontennant5267]

Restaurants use the condensed syrup for the taps/fountains you may be able to find those online since a bottle or can of soda uses next to none of the syrup and mostly water you may get a better result mixing the pure syrup with the spirit?

[@arm279145]

I would love to see a root beer distillation, but specifically Henry Weinhard’s Sugar Cane root beer, and then a different one with Bundaberg root beer.

[@sandon763]

I think South Park had the best description of doctor pepper, the drink of agnosticism being not a cola or a root beer or similar to any other drink.

[@stolenguitar1988]

You should attempt this with multiple sodas, with a semi flavourless vodka. Mtn Dew, Cola, Fanta etc

[@tomandtinadixon]

We are doing a batch shortly, but after due consideration, not Dr. P, even though we have a generic version here. The good idea fairy bit me this morning. Pineapple!

[@Kounes]

I Think you have the links mixed up, in the link for the still is the same as the one above. Really like your channel, never stop!

[@StillIt]

Im sorry man, I messed it up I fixed now :) amzn.to/32W56I9

[@RoraighPrice]

Ohhh man that ginger 'Vodka' ? Spirit would be GREAT for making Mosco Mules!

[@any1alive]

Our local New world has a itnernational section and usualy has 2x8 of em usualy for around 2NZD a can

[@isaackimball6716]

Far as I know distilling in America isn’t illegal. It’s “selling” it that’s illegal (unless registered)

[@johngreen9032]

Jesse, you are enjoyable to watch and listen to for various reasons, lol. It's a shame Dr Pepper is so difficult to come by there. It really is great. What's even better though is the Dr Pepper w/cream soda. Would be interesting to see what concoctions you could come up with with that.

[@cdcropper]

I’m American the only way I know of to describe it is it tastes like Dr Pepper. It does have a root beer slant but not really

[@jmsparger4339]

I'm not only an American... I'm a Texan, birthplace of Dr Pepper and lifelong DP drinker. It's kola, cherry juice, prune juice, and black peppercorn. 😁😆

[@carpeinferi]

Ginger vodka...that sounds delicious and the perfect way to up the flavor of a Moscow Mule.

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks Jesse!

[@OverniteProductions]

You can also try the Dr Pepper Shot! 1 shot of amaretto with 151 rum floated on top and lit on fire. Drop that into 1/2 pint of a light beer and enjoy!.Tastes just like Dr Pepper!

[@tommywills4891]

Well you can always use it as a mixer with other sodas, like a COCA COLA or Dr pepper. When I used to like mixed drinks I would typically order either Coke with tequila, Sprite and vodka or Dr pepper and rum.

[@bobbyhempel1513]

Dr pepper is a spiced Cherry soda with notes of raspberry prune and many other flavors 32 individual flavors not counting the flavor from the sugar and other non-flavoring ingredients.

[@FoolOfATuque]

Dr. Pepper reminds me of cherry cough syrup. It’s one of the drinks of Texas along with Big Red. I like Dr. Pepper, but I’m not like a normal Texan who has Dr. Pepper running through their veins. Brach’s does make a Dr. Pepper hard candy so I wonder if you put some of that in a gin basket or soaked the alcohol in it and redistilled it like a gin would it give you the spirit you’re looking for?

[@BradGarner]

BIG RED! That's a blast from the past! I totally forgot about it! What a great soda!

[@FoolOfATuque]

@@BradGarner yep! It’s still a thing here at least in our area. Both were created in Waco, Texas. Which is just south of West, Texas. That’s the capital for the best breakfast food in Texas the kolache! The Czech Stop’s breakfast sausage kolache is the best!

[@chvfd687]

@@FoolOfATuque wasn't west where the fertilizer plant exploded?

[@FoolOfATuque]

@@chvfd687 yes, that’s the place.

[@gevura147]

i feel like if you had cooked down the dr pepper to just its syrup form you would've had more of the dr pepper flavor and less water.

[@Wirenfeldt1990]

yes! Been wanting a re-do of this one..

[@timwatterson8060]

Out of all the soft drink based alcohols I've seen they always have a pre-head of aromatics. I'd like to see a pre fermentation distill step of pulling the aromatics out, keeping it separated and keep pulling bland liquids out to leave a concentrate to ferment. Do a normal distill of the fermented concentrate then add the aromatics from the very start. I think a lot of the soft drink smells are lower boiling and get caught up with the methanol and are lost.

[@cjthebomb5518]

online you can get a soda stream brand syrups, like coke pepsi and stuff, it's a extra flavorful syrup. I'd try that next

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Love it brother. Try fermenting the Dr Pepper. Idk.

[@StillIt]

haha yeah I could. Dude it was a PITA with the IRNbru tho!

[@danielholmes8296]

A shot of amaretto in a pint of beer taste like Dr pepper

[@Raptorias]

If you ever visit Texas, go to Waco and visit the original factory, the Dr Pepper Museum.

[@louishoey]

Dr pepper is my favorite soda!. It's a u love it or u hate it drink. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens..

[@brianzimmerman4837]

Dr Pepper is just nectar of the gods. If I'm not drinking sweet tea or water, I'm drinking Dr pepper.

[@kentwood9083]

You should try just the Dr pepper syrup they sell it on Amazon in 5 gallons for soda fountains

[@susanmarsh5648]

Originally made with prune juice. It was made for medicinal use. There is a Dr. Pepper museum in Waco Texas where dr.pepper originated.

[@susanmarsh5648]

I was so excited, hopeful that this was going to come out tasting like Dr. Pepper

[@BoostWorx]

I would some up Dr pepper as almond coke 😂🤣😂 we have it available to buy here in UK

[@IndianaDipper194]

I as an american of the fat variety, drink way more dr. pepper than you could probably imagine and i still dont know what the heck it tastes like its just friggin goooood. kinda like trying to describe coke as anything but a cola. its just dr.pepper!

[@esalazar425]

The generic Dr. Peppers tend to be called Spiced Cherry Soda, which seems to fit, while being just vague enough to contain roadkill.

[@kyboy9730]

Dr Pepper is Coca-Cola and root beer mixed

[@Scott-uo7ns]

So what would happen if you took sodas with notably high sugar content and pitched some yeast into that and stilled it?? Might be fun experiment

[@craigbryant9925]

I think Beaver DIY has a fermented cola episode.

[@ScottCalvinsClause]

Best I could describe Dr pepper is velvet battery with a hint of dried fruit.

[@PickledAndFermented]

With a flavour like that it should just be Mr. Pepper.

[@chucknin1491]

I'm in USA and I much prefer diet dr pepper to the regular. Also captain Morgan and dr pepper AKA "ships dr" is my all time favorite. You aren't a cocktail guy but you are on to somthing here. Use a rum sugar cane base next time. It's a million dollar idea if you can get it into a bottle. And prunes is is the flavor point prominant in american dr pepper.

[@Eisen_Jaeger]

I've drank a LOT of Dr Pepper over the years. We've often joked its what you got when you mixed all the brew tanks rinsing's.

[@joecrooks5103]

The link you added for the still is the modern rogue video FYI

[@StillIt]

Ah Im sorry its fixed now! amzn.to/32W56I9

[@RobertoMezquiaJr]

I'll start by saying I absolutely love Dr Pepper. But if you ever get the chance, you must try Dr Pepper Cream Soda 🤤

[@Rolonok]

I'm getting Modern Rogue flashbacks

[@mattjohnson9226]

I love Dr Pepper, try it half and half in a shop glass with Brandy. I call it a Black tooth 🦷. Love and blessings to all.

[@radosawdudek4571]

Dunno if its appropraite for meme spirits episode, but as a Kiwi yourself you should definetely do kiwifruit wine, then distill it

[@OdokuroYT]

I love Dr Pepper that’s the one reason I’m watching this my kiwi friend

[@somerandomguy32]

Always fun thx jessie

[@georgedunham6833]

Dr Pepper and Jack Daniel’s is awesome

[@FCFDave]

I think it would be great to try a soda-flavored powdered drink mix (RC Cola, A&W Root Beer, something like that) distilled with a spirit, and then use seltzer water to bring it down to drinking proof =)

[@HighGear39]

Distil Alabama Sweet Tea!

[@tysonmadding8559]

I drink a shitload of Dr pepper and it tastes exactly like heaven

[@MrRadioFloyd]

I like Chivas Regal with Dr Pepper I call it "Sergeant Pepper's" :)

[@gardencompost259]

I tried fermenting, and distilling Coca-Cola syrup. It was nasty, very bitter. However, lots of ginger, pie spice, and other flavors I could not identify. That said, that was over 15 years ago, and only memory left of it. And we all know how accurate memories are.

[@eddiestrange6074]

Try ...Sorghum / Oates / Raisins / Cranberrys / Carrots. With Half a Lb Sugar per Gallon water instead of 1 to 1 Boil fruit 8 hrs in spring water end of boil add sugar and oats let cool add yeast watch how aggressive fermentation works then do what you do best/ Tasty

[@DGPHolyHandgrenade]

might be interesting to let that sit and age a month or two and see if aromas get stronger. Fresh off the still things may be weaker. The fact that you like how it tastes straight off the still is a good sign, but I'd be interested in a followup in a few months.

[@drfiver2]

Awesome video as always! Would be very interested in carrot alcohol!

[@michykeys]

It’s like taking real vanilla and a peppercorn and chewing it