It wouldn’t be fall without a new drink trend flooding social media.
For the last decade, it was pumpkin-spiced everything. But this year, the spotlight has shifted to a mashup that’s as unexpected as it is addictive: the Salted Maple Whipped Dr Pepper.
Better Homes & Gardens recently called out the trend after creators began piling whipped cream, maple syrup, and flaky sea salt onto tall glasses of iced Dr Pepper.
And the internet hasn’t looked back.
Maple, Cream, and a Dash of Salt
The base couldn’t be simpler. Pour Dr Pepper over ice. What sets the drink apart is the topping. Heavy cream is whipped with maple syrup until pillowy, then spooned over the soda. A sprinkle of sea salt cuts the sweetness and gives it a salted-caramel-meets-cream-soda effect.
On TikTok and Instagram, videos of people stirring the frothy topping into their glass rack up hundreds of thousands of views, usually with comments like “don’t knock it ‘til you try it” and “this is my new fall personality.”
It’s not the first time Dr Pepper has found itself in the middle of a viral recipe. From “dirty sodas” in Utah to pickle Dr Pepper in Texas, the 23-flavor soda has always lent itself to mashups.
But the maple-cream-salt combo brings seasonal nostalgia into the mix, making it feel like an autumnal cousin to pumpkin cream cold brew.
Sweet, Salty, and Fizzy
Part of the appeal is the play between sweet, creamy, and fizzy. Food scientists often note that carbonation heightens flavor perception, while fat from cream softens edges. Add maple, a flavor tied to fall breakfasts and seasonal baking, and you’ve got a drink that feels indulgent without being complicated.
There’s also a cultural factor. Fall beverages are social media’s favorite playground. Starbucks’ pumpkin spice latte is the obvious giant, but independent creators have turned seasonal soda riffs into affordable, do-it-yourself alternatives.
A Salted Maple Whipped Dr Pepper costs less than $2 to make at home with pantry staples, compared to $6 or $7 for a café specialty drink.
Pumpkin Spice Might Finally Have a Rival
Will this drink dethrone pumpkin spice? Probably not.
But it proves there’s an appetite for fresh seasonal rituals, especially ones people can make at home or ask for at their local café.
The beauty of the Salted Maple Whipped Dr Pepper is its simplicity. For the price of a can and a splash of cream, you’ve got yourself a conversation starter and maybe the most TikTok-friendly drink of the season.
So if you’re looking for a new sip this fall without having to wait in line at Starbucks, grab a Dr Pepper, whip some cream with maple syrup, sprinkle a little salt, and see if this viral trend lives up to the hype.
