Johnsonville Drops A Dr Pepper-Flavored Sausage

Johnsonville is gearing up for grill season with an unexpected new ingredient, Dr Pepper. The two brands have teamed for the launch of Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage.

The new sausage is inspired by the soda’s original 23-flavor blend. Johnsonville collaborated closely with Dr Pepper to translate the soda’s flavor into its sausage—an idea inspired by the brand’s long-standing role as a go-to ingredient for flavoring and marinating meats. The end result is a sausage with swalty (sweet and salty) finish.

“Johnsonville and Dr Pepper are built for hangouts, and our data continues to show people are connecting less,” said Jamie Schmelzer, Vice President of Marketing at Johnsonville. “So, we got together and made something fun, unexpected and maybe delicious? Reaction to the idea of a soda-inspired sausage has been a little polarized, but we hope people hang out, give it a try and let us know what they think, love ’em or hate ’em.”

Beginning Sunday, March 1, Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage, both fully cooked and uncooked, will be available on shelves.