Dr Pepper and Sprite consistently rank in the top ten for the most popular sodas in the United States. It’s difficult not to be able to find these sodas in just about any major grocery store in America.
Given the popularity of these soft drinks, we decide to compare Dr Pepper vs Sprite for readers that are curious about what sets them apart from each other. Here is how they differ:
Dr Pepper vs Sprite
Taste
We think it’s safe to assume that most readers have tried both sodas and don’t need an explanation of their taste. Instead, we ask readers to vote for their favorite in our below poll. Please consider voting!
Nutrition
These sodas aren’t too different in their nutrition facts. If you opt for a Sprite over a Dr Pepper, you’ll consume 10 fewer calories, 2 grams fewer carbs, and 1 gram less sugar. Dr Pepper is the better option if consuming less sodium is your primary nutritional goal.
| Dr Pepper | Sprite | |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 12 fl. oz. (1 can) | 12 fl. oz. (1 can) |
| Calories | 150 | 140 |
| Total Fat | 0g | 0g |
| Sodium | 55mg | 65mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40g | 38g |
| Total Sugars* | 39g | 38g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
Ingredients
You aren’t going to learn a lot about these two sodas since many of their ingredients are proprietary and simply listed as natural and/or artificial flavors.
However, what we do know is that Dr Pepper is made with caramel color for taste and color. Sprite lacks caramel color since it’s a clear lemon-lime soda brand and instead uses citric acid to add a tangy flavor.
Another major difference is the use of caffeine or lack thereof which we discuss below.
Dr Pepper – Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Caramel Color, Phosphoric Acid, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Sodium Benzoate (preservative), Caffeine.
Sprite – Carbonated Water, High Fructose Corn Syrup, Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Benzoate (To Protect Taste).
Caffeine
One of the major differences between these sodas is their caffeine content. Dr Pepper has caffeine while Sprite is caffeine-free. The tables below reflect the caffeine in these sodas for their popular serving sizes:
| Soda | Serving Size | Caffeine(mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Pepper | 7.5 fl. oz. | 26mg |
| Dr Pepper | 8 fl. oz. | 28mg |
| Dr Pepper | 10 fl. oz. | 34mg |
| Dr Pepper | 12 fl. oz. | 41mg |
| Dr Pepper | 16 fl. oz. | 55mg |
| Dr Pepper | 16.9 fl. oz. | 58mg |
| Dr Pepper | 20 fl. oz. | 68mg |
| Soda | Serving Size | Caffeine(mg) |
|---|---|---|
| Sprite | 7.5 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 8 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 10 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 12 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 16 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 16.9 fl. oz. | 0 |
| Sprite | 20 fl. oz. | 0 |
Ownership
Dr Pepper is owned by Keurig Dr Pepper (KDP). It was introduced in 1885 with a national presence in the U.S. by 1904.
Sprite is a brand of The Coca-Cola Company. Sprite was actually invented in West Germany in 1959 at a division of Coca-Cola and was called Clear Lemon Fanta. It was introduced in the United States in 1961 to take on the popular 7Up.
Sources:
kdpproductfacts.com
sprite.com
