By Gary Symons
TLL Editor in Chief
This is apparently the day for weird, licensed mashups. First we had the Super Mario-inspired collab for deodorant that will make you “smell like a hero.” Now, it’s Johnsonville Sausages flavored with Dr Pepper.
Next, maybe a soda that tastes like sausages?
The partners in this latest, and highly unlikely joint venture say they are bringing America “… an unprecedented, yet wholly inevitable, sausage … a completely original, never-before-tasted mashup that’s prompting equal parts intrigue, excitement, and disbelief.”
“Is it a culinary innovation or a sign of the apocalypse?,” the companies ask. “That debate is already underway, but one thing is certain; people are talking, and America is ready to take a bite.”
Ideally, we’d suggest that smokie will be served in a bun that tastes like potato chips.
In any event, the new Johnsonville Dr. Pepper Inspired Sausage will be available for the brave and the curious on shelves and roller grills across the U.S. at Walmart, Kroger, 7-Eleven, and many more.
While even the marketing team seems to have some doubts, the partners say the arrival of the Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage comes “as Americans crave unexpected ways to come together during what has been dubbed the “antisocial century.”
In other words, America is feeling bummed out, and desperately needs the chance to chillax with friends over a soda sausage.
Johnsonville’s annual National Temperature Check, conducted by the Harris Poll, revealed that 73 percent of Americans are hanging out less than they used to, and a majority (51%) agree that socializing feels more uncomfortable now.
However, 76 percent agree that getting out of their comfort zone is good for them, and 91 percent of Americans agree that delicious food makes hanging out more fun.
That polling data inexplicably inspired America’s No. 1 sausage brand and the country’s fastest-growing mainstream soft drink brand to deliver an innovation designed to bring people together.
“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.”
We at TLL certainly applaud the community spirit displayed in this product launch, although we reserve judgment on the flavor profile.
To be fair, though, a few years ago we would not have expected to be drizzling hot honey on our pizzas!
Johnsonville says it collaborated closely with Dr Pepper to translate the soda’s unique flavor into its time-honored sausages.
All kidding aside, there is a rational reason behind the concept. Dr Pepper, which is also America’s first soda, has enjoyed a long-standing role as an ingredient for flavoring and marinating meats. The team behind the new product say the Dr Pepper blend of spices enhances the richness of Johnsonville’s sausages, giving it a sweet and salty — or SWALTY — flavor profile.
“At Dr Pepper, we’re always looking for bold, delicious ways to show up in fans’ lives, and this collaboration with Johnsonville takes that to a whole new level,” said Derek Dabrowski, SVP of Brand Marketing at Dr Pepper. “Our signature 23‑flavors has been used in home kitchens and backyard BBQs for years, so transforming that iconic taste into a sausage felt both unexpected and completely natural.
“The result is a unique, flavor experience that brings the depth and personality of Dr Pepper into a whole new category, and we can’t wait for fans to discover it.”
The Johnsonville Dr Pepper® Inspired Sausage is available in both fully cooked and uncooked varieties. The release of the Johnsonville Dr Pepper Inspired Sausage builds on the momentum of Johnsonville’s Keep It Juicy platform, launched in 2024 to champion togetherness.
You can learn more about the new product by going to www.johnsonville.com/drpepper.