Soft drink, pepper type
Common food
A carbonated, pepper-flavored soft drink with a distinctively sharp, spicy-sweet kick and a clear, effervescent texture. It delivers a quick energy burst primarily from its 10g of sugar per 100ml, with negligible fat or protein. The flavor profile is uniquely savory and stimulating, unlike typical sweet sodas.
💚 Why it's loved
People love its bold, spicy-sweet flavor that cuts through richness and provides a refreshing, palate-cleansing sensation. It's a cultural staple in many regions, often enjoyed with meals or as a standalone pick-me-up.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (nearly 10g per 100ml) can cause rapid blood-sugar spikes and contributes to empty calories. To counteract this, practice portion control by choosing smaller cans, and pair it with a protein or fat source (like nuts or cheese) to slow sugar absorption. It may also contain caffeine.
Key benefits
- Provides quick carbohydrate energy
- Low in fat and contains no protein
- Offers a unique savory flavor alternative to sweet drinks
- The carbonation can aid in digestion or settle the stomach
- Often used as a base in mixed drinks and cocktails
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'pepper' in its name often refers to botanical spices like sarsaparilla or prickly ash, not chili peppers, giving it a complex, root-beer-like spice profile.
Full nutrition (scales with serving)
| Water | 89.4 g |
| Energy | 42.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.00 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 0.25 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.4 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.00 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.9 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 1.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.02 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 0.00 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 9.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 5.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 3.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.09 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.00 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.00 mg |
| Niacin | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.00 mg |
| Folate, total | 0.00 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 0.00 ug |
| Choline, total | 0.30 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 0.00 ug |
| Retinol | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 0.00 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 9.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
FAQ
Is pepper-type soft drink the same as root beer?
No, while both are spiced, pepper-type drinks typically have a sharper, more savory or peppery bite, whereas root beer is generally sweeter and more herbal.
Does it contain actual black pepper?
Not usually. The 'pepper' flavor typically comes from a blend of spices and botanicals, not the common black peppercorn.
Can it be used in cooking?
Yes, its sweet-spicy profile makes it a popular ingredient in glazes, marinades, and stews, especially for meats like pork or chicken.