Dr. Pepper adds new flavor

DALLAS — Dr Pepper is adding a new cherry vanilla flavor, the second recent addition to the venerable Texas soda maker's lineup.

The company said last week that regular and diet versions of Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper will initially debut in Texas and nearby states. The diet version will go nationwide in January.

Dr Pepper is owned by Cadbury Schweppes PLC. Its brands also include 7UP and A&W Root Beer.

The Dr Pepper brand was unchanged for decades, other than diet and caffeine-free versions, until recently, when Cadbury Schweppes brought out Dr Pepper Red Fusion, a fruity flavor designed to appeal to young consumers.

Soda sales have been sluggish in recent years, as consumers shift to bottled water and other drinks. Soda makers have responded by introducing new flavors and colors, such as Mountain Dew Code Red from PepsiCo and Vanilla Coke by the Coca-Cola Co.