Dr Pepper Sausage Is Now a Real Product. Here’s What It Tastes Like

In case you missed the news, Dr Pepper and Johnsonville have collaborated to create a Dr Pepper-flavored sausage. Naturally, we had to test it out—and I have already dubbed this duo “Dr. Johnsonville.” It is a simple name, but it works. I just hope that after all the anticipation, they have good chemistry.

We sampled these new Dr Pepper sausages on their own to get a true sense of the flavor profile, and then again with the condiments Johnsonville suggested. Here is my honest review, and I promise not to be too bratty about it. Get it? Anyway…

Johnsonville’s Dr Pepper-Inspired Smoked Sausage

Pros: We appreciate the quality of a standard Johnsonville sausage, regardless of whether it is soda-flavored. These links are incredibly juicy. Johnsonville also provided the ideal condiments to balance the “swalty” flavor of the meat and advised us not to judge the product too harshly without them. It was a fair warning. If you plan on eating these, we strongly suggest using basic ketchup, a sour cherry spread, or hot honey BBQ sauce. These sausages were not meant to be eaten plain.

Cons: It was a valiant effort, truly. I apologize, Dr. Johnsonville; I know you wanted a better review. However, the flavor balance just isn’t quite there. First, we have to discuss the aroma. You know how an open can of Dr Pepper smells after it has been sitting out for a while, with dried soda residue on the rim? That is exactly what this smells like. It is reminiscent of an old, opened can of soda. I could overlook the scent if the flavor were better, but unfortunately, it falls short. It leans far too heavily into the cherry notes. The more savory components of a Dr Pepper—such as the tomato, pepper, and clove—needed to be more prominent. Currently, it tastes like a cherry cola-flavored sausage rather than a Dr Pepper sausage.

Verdict: I want Dr. Johnsonville to return for a second season with a refined recipe, because I am still rooting for them. I believe they can succeed, I really do. But they need to dial back the cherry and explore the other complex flavors that Dr Pepper has to offer.