Dr Pepper Is Releasing A First-Of-Its-Kind Product

Coca-Cola is great, and I’ll even settle for Pepsi in dire times, but Dr Pepper is, without a doubt, my favorite soda. While the uniquely-flavored soda is iconic in and of itself, Dr Pepper has expanded its lineup in recent years to include a multitude of fan-favorite variations, including Creamy Coconut, Vanilla Float, and Blackberry. Beyond the cans and bottles, though, Dr Pepper has also collaborated with multiple brands to bring the soda’s signature 23 flavors to some unexpected products, from milkshakes at Whataburger to cake bites at Walmart. Now, the chain is gearing up for a new, first-of-its-kind collab—and die-hard Dr Pepper fans don’t know what to think.

Johnsonville Is Launching a Dr Pepper Sausage

No barbecue is complete without grilled brats and a crispy can of soda, but Johnsonville is taking the combo to a new level with a first-of-its-kind product: Dr Pepper sausage.

According to food blogger @snackolator on Instagram, the collaboration was revealed at this years’ National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) show. Based on the product photo, it looks like these sausages will come in standard links—but this new iteration will be infused with the iconic flavors of Dr Pepper.

“As a brand that makes hangout food, it’s our job to encourage fun and togetherness. Good things happen when you step out of your comfort zone, and we’re so glad our friends at Dr Pepper agree,” Jamie Schmelzer, Johnsonville’s Vice President of Marketing, confirmed to Allrecipes. “We’re mixing up something special—a flavor-filled, first-of-its-kind sausage with the iconic taste America knows and loves.”

According to Schmelzer, the new sausage will begin to roll out next spring and will be available at retailers nationwide, so keep an eye out for it at your grocery store or look for it on Amazon Fresh.

Soda fans are divided by the concept, with some taking to social media to share their thoughts. While some are commenting “absolutely not,” or “y tho?” on @snackolator’s announcement, others are writing, “Shut up and take my money,” and “I need to try this!”

Although a Dr Pepper-flavored meat product may seem out of left field, it’s not entirely unheard of. Growing up, my mom marinated pulled pork with Dr Pepper, and cola is a common brine for skirt steak. If these fan-favorite recipes are any indication, soda fans may be in for a treat with Johnsonville’s sausage.

One Instagram user also noted that beef jerky brand Jack Links “has Dr Pepper-inspired jerky,” adding, “It’s my fave! So I’d [definitely] try this.”

Regardless of where you stand on mixing soda and meat, as a Dr Pepper aficionado who swears by a can of cola in the slow cooker, I’ll definitely be trying it. In the meantime, I’ll continue to get my DP fix from my beloved Blackberry Dr Pepper.